The San Francisco call., 1898-05-03
DEWEY HOLDS
 MANILA BAY Even if the City Is Not Taken He Has a
 Naval Base. Can Certainly Take Possession of the Island at the
 Entrance. With Spain's Fleet Destroyed, He Can Take His Time to Carry
 Out His Plans.
Special Dispatch to The Call.

LONDON, May 2.-The Madrid cor respondent of the Standard says: Considerable surprise and disappoint- ment has been caused by the destruc- tion caused by the American fleet, as it had been officially stated that the au- thorities at Manila had received sixty torpedoes and heavy guns to strength en the coast defenses, particularly the two channels on the right and left of Corregidor Island. It is noticeable among all classes, especially among politicians, that there is a strong hope of an intervention by continental pow CTS, especially Germany and Russia"
 Little additional news has arrived from Manila, but the cardinal fact is that Commodore Dewey is now in pos session of Manila Bay and can cer- ta1nly take possession of Corregidor Island, even if he finds difficulty in ef- fectually capturing Manila itself, ow- ing to the absence of necessary land ing force. Thus, having secured a na- val base, he will have no difficulty in securing supplies of coal.
 AS the Times remarks to-day: There is a mere question of money and organization. IT belligerent who is strong in certain waters will gener- ally be able to obtain coal. To de- clare coal contraband is no obstruc- tion to private enterprise if the risks of transport are moderate and the pecu- niary inducements sufficient"
 The Madrid correspondent of the Daily Mail says: Tt is suggested that the half-breeds at the Manila arsenal, who are rebels at heart, cut the cables connecting with the submarine mines and thus enabled Commodore Dewey to force the harbor in safety"
 No real bombardment will be neces- sary to destroy Manila, if the shells are of such description as will set houses on fire, the bulk of which there are built of wood and bamboo. Only the public buildings are built of stone, while the brick built old town is inca pablo or resisting artillery.
 Captain Cadarzo of the cruiser Reina Maria Cristina, who was kill ed on the bridge of his vessel, was one of the most brilliant officers in the Spanish navy. His ship was a model of order and efficiency. He read and wrote great deal, especially with reference to naval and colonial matters, and he was so outspoken that he often came into collision with the authorities.
 It appeared that Admiral Montijo was taken altogether by surprise and the Spanish authorities generally were in a state of utter unreadiness The 1OftS were not completed, the harbOr was not mined, there were no search lights, and the American squadron was sighted only after it had already pass ed the outer and principal forts.
 On every side in England is heard praise of the skill and daring displayed by Commodore Dewey in a situation where, if anything miscarried, he would have been caught in a most desperate position. At the same time credit is given Admiral Montiio, who had a wretched fleet and stood no chance ex- cept from the assistance he might re- ceive from the forts.
 The American vessels, however, by moving to and fro, were easily able to avoid the badly directed fire from the forts and, looking to all the circum- stances, it is apparent that the AmeIi- can fleet could have received but slight damage.
 The moral influence of the first great victory is incalculable, and although It is practically certain that Spain will not yield until she had tried conclusions in the Atlantic, where she hopes for better luck with her really first-class fighting squadron, it is believed that a similar victory in Cuban waters would produce signs of revolution in Spain, compelling an endeavor to come to terms.
 The Times says: "The measures ad- vised by the United States naval stra- tegic board seem well conceived to meet any possible emergency"
 The sending of three German men, of-war to the Philippines is much criti-