The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-07-05
The Charleston at Manila.

The despatch from Admiral DEWEY an
~nouncing that the Charleston and her
convoy of transports had arrived at Ma
Mia brings relief to the Government and
the American people. Aprevious despatch
from Hong Kong had spoken of Admiral
DEwEY's disappointment at the delay of
the Charleston, then overdue, although
it also gave us assurance that he still con-
trolled the military situation at Manila.
Now that the intense anxiety of weeks
is over, both for Admiral DEWEY and for
his countrymen on this side of the globe,
it may be acknowledged that his victory
was so prompt and overwhelming that it
found us ill-prepared to follow it up.
We're the Government to do its part over
again, perhaps it would take risks in
getting troops to him earlier. Could it
ave foreseen that AdUINALDo's forces
would sweep all before them and quickly
close in upon Manila, could it have sus-
pected that the Germans would send
to the harbor q fleet Of observation almost
menacing in strength, it might perhaps
have drawn two or three regiments of
regulars from their camps on the Gulf,
and hurried them forward at once.
But al's well that ends we'll; and al
though the strain upon Admiral DEWEY
has been most prolonged and severe, he
has borne it in u way worthy of his fame
as q battle commander. Indeed, when the
full history Of the last two months at
Manila is made known, it may show that
Admiral DEWEY, in his dealings with the
insurgents and his relations with the
squadrons of other nations and their Off
cial representatives ashore, has added the
laurels of u diplomat and an ndninistra-
tor to those OF "a great sailor.
The brief mention, in the despatch, that
the Charleston had paused to capture the
island of Guam is also gratifying. There
was n time when, in some quarters, there
may have been a little regret that this adj
ditional duty had been undertaken. The
turning aside from the direct route was
not great, but, in the fear that some
thing might rob us of the full results
of our victory at Manila, there was, per-
haps, some feeling that the conquest OF
tho Ladrones, of which Guam is the chief
island, might more easily have been left
to the second relief expedition, while hur.
rying the first through without a pause
But here, also, the result achievedmust an.
swer any criticism, since it has proved
thnt the delay was safe. The Monterey
and M~onadnock will find in Guam d safe
harbor for coaling.
But the great news that has come to us
concerns the Philippines. The later relief
expeditions, with the two monitors, the
Philadelphia, and the Yorktown, can take
care of SPANS other groups, on their way
out. But the assurancei is now, a tlast, ours
that Admiral DEWEY has ample mines fol
the channels, artillerists for the guns o.
Cavite and C%orregidor, and troops to com
bine with the insurgents for the attack OF
the city should his demand for it's surren
der be resisted. With the Charleston ant
the transports at Manila, what CAMARAr
fleet may do concerns us very little.
1t would be no surprise now to hear any
day that the city had fallen. The Charles
ton arrived there on June 80. Since ther
there may have been time enough for Ad
miral DEWEY to prepare the way for hold
ing n Fourth of July celebration ashor,
under our conquering flag.