Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-05-03
in having his men relieved of the task o
Earrisoning Manila.
Future Of the IsIanda.

future OF the lSIanda.
As to the future of the islands. it is like
ly that the government will retain posses
sion of at least one good port. such as
Manila, for a coaling station and base Of
supplies. during the remainder Of the war.
There was understood to be considerable
force. in the Philippines, and a large num-
ber of natives are said to be .Ioyal." mean
Ing, In that sense. attached to The Span
ish fortunes. With this material on one
hand and the insurgents on the other.
the latter stimulated by the overthrow Of
the Spaniards at Manila. ii is probable that
civil war may rage on the islands for some
time. outside of Manila proper.
1t is believed the officials have not de-
cided what to do with the islands at the
end Of the war. but in their possession. the
United States. will enjoy powerful
weapon in enforcing terms of peace with
Spain. Supposing Porto Rico shall rext
be seized. it would seem that Spain Will
sistance, particularly as the fall of Porto
Rice would mean the loss to her Of her
ironclad fleet, should it cross the Atlantic.
European Intervention.
There is no definite talk yet of European
intervention. but one of the most beneficial
results of Dewey's victory yesterday is that
a deep impression has been made upon the
European powers, who can now no longer
AFFORD to blind themselves to the fact that.
man to man, the American navy is equal
TO any. in the world. There was no exhi-
bition, such as was sneeringiy predicted in
the European press, of weakness in the
American fleet. caused by. the fact that 1t
was Of heterogeneous composition. 1t is
safe to say that after the battle at Ma
nila, the European powers will conclude
that the American flag always floats over
the American crew. regardless of the ma
tivity or racial descent of the men who
fire the guns.
The impression produced is likely to de-
ter the European powers from hasty inter-
vention. and the present indications are
with Spain at our own. pleasure. always
providing we do not get involved in the
Eastern question through obtaining possess
sion of the Philippines
"Beginning Of the End.'
The general opinion among prominent
members of the administration is that the
naval victory at Manila is not only i'm
portant of itself but that it will have
very decided influence among the nations
of Europe, which may ultimately result in
their united action in forcing Spain to an
of compelling the United States to change
its course with respect to Cuba.
The attorney general, when questioned
to-day. said that, in his Judgment. the Ma
nila victory was the beginning of the end.
A few such defeats must convince the
Spanish government that their case was a
hopeless One. and it was his opinion that
It would be a matter of only a few weeks
or months, at least, before Spain would
be anxious to reopen negotiations with the
United States with view TO Il complete
surrender Of her Sovereignty over Cuba.
Thinking men, he said, the world over,
have been convinced from the first that
there could be but one issue to the present
struggle. Spanish sovereignty in this hem
isphere must end completely and forever.
This view, he believed had been shared
by the leading members of the Spanish
government, but they were powerless to
prevent conflict which they well knew
must result fatally to their cause.
Gage Holds similar Views.
Secretary Gage held similar views, and
he was inclined to the opinion that Spain
might not wait for more crushing defeats
before she set on foot negotiations looking
to the cessation of hostilities. There had
not been from the first, and could not be-
any question as TO the final result of the
war between the two countries. We were
so far superior to them in everything that
goes to make up great nation that only
a short time would be necessary, in his
judgment, 10 demonstrate. even to the sat
isfaction of the Spaniards themselves that
they were completely outclassed. However
the initiative probably would be made by
a concert of the European powers, but how
that influence would be effectively
brought to bear upon the Spanish govern.
ment could not be foretoid.
IL is entirely possible that Commodore
Dewey may secure his promotion 10 the
rank of admiral through the splendid ex-
hibition of pluck. discretion and sailor
qualities he made in yesterdays engage
ment. The naval law however, does not
permit of promotion except by seniority,
so that it probably would be requisite for