The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-05-03

ana IL ls Ikely tnat the department.
will wait 10 hear from Commodore
Dewey himself before taking any ac-
ton. 1t may be. and in fact IL IN ex-
pected, that by communication with the
insurgents ne win succeed In having his
men relieved Of the task Of garrisoning
Manila
As 20 the future OF the islands. IL In
likely that the government will retain
possession of at least one good port.
such as Manila. for a coaling station
and base OF supplies during the re-
mainder of the war. There was uB-
derstood to be a considerable force in
the Philippines. and a large number
of natives are said to be loyal" mean
ing in that sense attached to the Sran-
ish fortunes. This material on one
hand and the insurgents on the other.
the latter. stimulated by the overthrow
of the Spanish at Manila. II IL probable
that civil war may rage on the islands
for some time outside of Manila proper.
1t is believed the officials have not
decided what to do with the islands at
the end of the war. but In their pos
session the United States will enjoy a
powerful weapon in enforcing terms Of
peace with Spain. Supposing Porto
Rico shall next be seized. it would
seem that Spain will have little to en-
courage her in further resistance, par
ticularly as to the fall of Porto Rico
would mean the loss to her of her
ironclad fleets should they cross the
Atlantic.
There is no talk yet of European in
tervention. but one of the most bene-
ficial results of Dewey's victory yes
terday Is that a deep impression has
been made upon the European powers
who can no longer afford to blind
themselves to the fact that. man to
man, the American navy is equal to
any I'm the world. There was no ex-
hibition such as was sneeringiy pre-
dicted in the European press Of weak
ness In the American fleet. caused by
the fact that 1t was of Heterogeneous
composition. IL il safe to say that af-
ter the battle az Manila the European
nag always floats over an American
nag always floats over the American
crew. regardless of the nationality or
racial descent of the men who fight
the guns The impression created is
likely To deter the European powers
from hasty Intervention. and the pres
ent indications are that We shall be
ieft 10 settle our affairs with Spain at
our own pleasure. always providing
we do not get involved in the Eastern
question through obtaining possession
OF the Philippines.
II Is entirely poesible that Commodore
Dewey may secure his promotion to the
rank Of admiral through this splendid
exhibition OF pluck. discretion and sail
or qualities he made in yesterdays en-
gagement The naval law, however
does not permit OF promotion except by
seniority, so that IL probably would b..
requisite for congress to pass a special
resolution such as was done in the
case OF Commodore Melville. to afford
him his well earned promotion.
The naval militia of the country Is
Fastening to extend its aid to the gov
eminent. Commander EmersoQ Of the
Maryland naval militia came to the
navy department today and Informed
Lieutenant Gibbons, the energetic
young officer who has done so much TO
form the naval militia. that he has
gathered another battalion OF 40 men
which would be ready soon for active
service. Commander Little OF the
Rhode Island militia. was also a visitor
at the department and explained that
he had 200 men ready for mobilization.
Commander Norton of the North Caro-
lima militia. called personally and sue
ceeded in having the department
change its order made in the case of
the monitor Nantucket so as to allow
the North Carolina militia instead of
the militia OF South Carolina to take
that monitor from Wilmington to Port
Royal.
Four flags were displayed to-day for
the first time in many months from the
partment buildings and on the east
front a huge garrison flag ioated. all
in honor OF the victory of the American
feet at Manila yesterday. The war de-
partment is bending all its energies to
the mastering i'm of the volunteers and
the recruiting OF the regular army to
its full war strength of 50. 900 men.
Secretary Alger and General Miles
had long conference with the pres.-
dent this afternoon. presumably in re-
gard to appointments to the volunteer
service. In a few days all the troops
that have been ordered to Tampa are
expected To reach that place and the
eight large transports which are to con-
duct the first expedition to Cuba have
been ordered to proceed to Tampa. The
officials. however. decline to make pub
lie any information regarding the ex-
pedition or the place in Cuba where IL
is to land. The quartermaster's depart
ment has begun negotiations with the
railroad companies for the transporta-
tion of the volunteers to their mobilixa-
tion ports and IL is expected arrange
nents will be made for uniform rates
on all the lines. so as to move the troops
with the least expense TO the govern
ment
Gen. W. IL. Merritt. commanding the
of the East. with head
quarters at New York. was at the war
department to-day for consultation with
Secretary Alger. The purpose OF his
visit. other than stated. was not di-
vulged.
The officers of the commissary de-
partment at New York to-day opened
proposals for supplying food to the
army Of $4,000 men. IL the government
hnds IL necessary TO contract for that
number. IL Is said the officials are OPP
posed TO buying concentrated foods on
advice of the medical department Of the
service. Although the British colonial
office had been fully advised Of the
American success at Manila. the au-
thorities in London did not communs-
rate with the British embassy here. nor
Hid the foreign offices at Paris. Berlin
or other capitals notify their represen-
atives here. This Il taken 10 indicate
hat the foreign Offices Will not COM
events of strictly military
. hor ra ~ also that the