The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-05-03
Entire Fleet Made Up Of UnarmOrGd
Ships.
NEEDS MEN To HOLD MANILA
Powers May Howl on BOmhard-
ment Without Notice,

Washington, May At is a curious fact
that the nation most directly interested of
all the great powers in. the combat that
took place at Manila should be among the
last officially to know of the result.
Up to the close of Office hours to-day
absolutely the only information that our
government had received of the brilliant
victory of Admiral Dewey at Manila on
Sunday came to the government through
the press dispatches.
If the report is true that Commodore
Dewey has begun a bombardment and
blockade of the city of Manila it is un-
likely that he can spare a vessel from his
fleet to carry the news to Hong Kong
the nearest cable station, so 1t is not
known when official advices will come
There was some expectation that through
the surrender of the city the commodore
might acquire control of the cable, but
even then there might be practical diff
culties in communicating through it.
The greatest anxiety is felt as to the cas-
ualties sustained by the American feet.
From the stubborn defense made by the
-spaniards, it is feared that before they
burnt blew up or sunk their ships they
managed to infict severe damage upon
Commodore Deweys squadron. All of the
ships engaged were vulnerable in one re-
spect, namely in their lack of protection to
life There was not an armored ship In
Commodore Dewey's fleet, the nearest ap-
proach being the flagship Olympia. She has
some coal protection around the sides and
an arch steel deck calculated to protect the
yitals Of the ship. The other vessels of the
fleet, save those recently added to the navy
like the McCulloch, have light steel decks
Of this character, but in all cases, with
the exception of some slight protection in
the shape of gun shields, the personnel of
the ships was exposed to the fire of the
enemy.
If Commodore Dewey has lost a consid-
cradle. portion Of his men, It is feared he
will be much embarrassed in the work of
maintaining possession of Manila for lack
of sufficient force There was some talk
this afternoon of sending troops out of
San Francisco to aid in this work, but
this has not yet taken shape, as far as can
be learned, and it is likely that the depart
ment will wait to hear from Commodore
Dewey himself before taking any action
1t may be, and, in fact, 1t is expected, that
by combination with the insurgents, he
will succeed in having his men relieved
of the task of garrisoning Manila.
ly that the government will retain posses
sion of at least one good port, such as Ma
Mia, for a coaling station and base of sup
pies during the remainder of the war. 1t
is believed the officials have not decided
what to do with the islands at the end of
the war, but in their possession, the United
States will enjoy a perfect weapon in en-
forcing terms of peace with Spain.
Supposing Porto Rico shall be next seized
it would seem that Spain would have
little to encourage her in further resist.
ance, particularly as the fall of Porto
Rico would mean the loss to her of her
ironclad fleet should 1t cross the Atlantic.
There Is no talk yet of European inter-
venrlon, but one Of the most beneficial re-
suits Of Commodore Dewey's victory yes
terday is that a deep impression has been
made upon the European powers, who now
can no longer afford to blind themselves
to the fact that man 10 man the American
navy is equal to any in the world.
The impression produced Is likely to de-
ter the European Powers from hasty in
tervention, and the present Indications are
that we shall be left to settle our affairs
with Spain at our own pleasure, always
providing we do not get involved in the
eastern question through obtaining pos
session OF the Philippines.
It Is entirely possible that Commodore
Dewey may secure promotion to the rank
of admiral through the splendid exhibition
of pluck, discretion and sailor qualities he
made in yesterdays engagement
The naval law, however. does not permit
of promotion except by seniority, so that
Il probably would be requisite for Con.
gress to pass a special resolution, such as
was done in the case OF Commodore Mel.
Vile, to afford him his well-earned promo.
ton
The naval militia Of the country is has.
| tening 10 extend its aid to the government
Commander Morton OF the North Caro-
lima naval militia called at the department
| to-day and succeeded in having the depart.
ment change It's order made In the case OF
the Monitor Nantucket so as to allow the
4 North Carolina militia instead Of the mill.