The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1898-05-05

utct OF the war. When the news came
indicating q great victor for the
American squadron the enthusiasm Of
the people was let loose and the
streets of the city have rung with
cheers throughout the night. The
first news of the battle received in
Washington came in brief cablegram
from Madrid about eight o'clock
Sunday evening. As night wore
on the cable continued to sing
the news of victory for the squadron
of Adm. Dewey and the interest grew
into tremendous excitement
Ordinarily Washington is the quiet
est of cities on Sunday but as bulletin
alter bulletin was posted in front OF
the newspaper offices, each successive
one conveying information more graf
flying than its predecessor, the crowds
in the streets became uproarious.
Good, as we'll as bad, news spreads rap
idly, and by ten o'clock the streets
were crowded with people, all discuss
ing the one exciting topic of the hour
Hundreds gathered in front of the
bulletin boards and every scintilla
of newsstand it was all glorious-was
received with enthusiastic cheers
While victory had been expected, the
news of it coming as it did come from
Spanish sources gave vent to the
patriotism of the people which had
been pent up for days. 1t was II
spontaneous outburst of patriotic
feeling that scarcely knew bounds.
Adm. Dewey's name was on every lip
and his praises were sung in the re-
joicings of the people.
Thus far no official advices have
been received by the government. Tie
president in company with several of
his advisers read the bulletins in the
Ii brary of the white house early in
the evening but later in the night he
went to his office on the second floor
of the executive mansion, where until
a late hour he continued to peruse
every dispatch with deepest interest.
The news was evidently of the most
gratifying character to him, but no
| statement could be obtained ut the ex-
| ecutive mansion concerning the battle
or its possible consequences.
Officials of the navy department were
reticent in discussing the conflict in
the absence of official information.
but they made no pretsnse of conceal
ing their great qualification. Secre-
tary Long declined to comment upon
the subject, but it was evident that he
| felt relieved. 1t has been known for
days at the navy department that a
conflict at Manila was inevitable, and
| while no great fear of the result
| was expressed, there was yet a deep
concern in the heart of every official.
sunday nights news removes a great
| weight from the minds of all.
When Secretary Bliss was shown the
first dispatch, briefly recounting the
victory of the American squadron, he
unhesitatingly expressed his gratifica-
tion at the result and gave utterance
to the hope that Adm. Dewey's feet
had not suffered greatly. Senator
Hanna and Mr.. Chauncey NJ. Depew,
of New York, who were with Secre.
tary Bliss at the time, were delighted
with the advices and made no conceal
ment of their pleasure.
| Secretary Alger declared that it was
a GLORIOUS victory" but, in common
with other officials of the administra-
tion, declined to make extended com.
ment upon it.
Navy and army circles, after mani
testing throughout the day the great
est eagerness for news from the Philip
pines, received with intense Joy the
advices telling of the victory of Adm.
Dewey's fleet. Their satisfaction that
the defeat of the Spanish had been
overwhelming was strengthened by
reason of the news coming first almost
wholly from Madrid, and they were
quickly unreserved in expressing their
qualification upon the signal triumph
of the American forces.
At the Army and Navy club a large
company was gathered and read and
commented upon the story of the en-.
gagements, as it was presented in the
bulletins at the club. Down town at
their homes and wherever seen, the Of
ficers were free in giving vent to the
pleasure they felt at the news and de-
claring the confidence which they had
entertained throughout that the Amer
lean ships, their officers and men would
demonstrate their superiority over the
Spanish fleet in Philippine waters
The absence of any statement
of specific injury to the American yes
sells, in the Madrid advices, was con
strued as convincing indication thai
they had not suffered appreciable in
jury. and this was especially pleasing
to the naval students of the news. No
only was. the preservation OF the
American ships and men considered in
itself a happy outcome, but it was
commented upon as indicating clearly
that Adm. Dewey and his associate Of
ficers and the men under their com
mand had discharged splendidly their
several duties in directing and exc
cutting the fight In this connection
it was pointed out as little less thar
marvellous that the American squadron
escaped without severe injury, because
Notwithstanding the disparity in th'
naval forces, the Spanish feet, assisted
by the shore batteries, should hay'
| haan able tn nAicf Savar ra q m, apa r,