The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-05-02

49,
outburst of patriotic feeling that scarcely
knew bounds. Admiral Dewey's name was
on every lip and his praises were sung in
the rejoicings of the people.
Thus far no Official advices have been re-
ceived by the government, but the Asso-
ciated Press dispatches were transmitted to
the President and officials of the adminis-
tration as rapidly as they were received.
The President. in company with several of
his advisers, read the bulletins in the
library of the White House early in the
evening, but later sn the night be went to
his Office on the second floor of the execu-
tive 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 at the
executive 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
rGade no pretense of concealing their great
qualification. Secretary Long declined to
comment upon the subject, but it was evil
dent that he felt relieved. 1t has been
known some days at the Navy Department
that a conflict at Manila was inevitable, and
while no great fear of the result was ex-
pressed, there was yet a deep concern in
the heart of every official. To-night's 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 satisfaction at the result and
gave u~tterarce to the hope that Admiral
Dewey's fleet had not suffered greatly. Sen
ator Hanna and Mr.. Chauncey M. Depew,
OF New York, who were with Secretary
Bliss at the time, were delighted with the
pleasure.
Secretary Alger declared that it was a
GLORIOUS victory but. in common with
clined to make extended comment upon It.
Navy and army circles, after manifesting
throughout the day the greatest eagerness
for news from the Philippines. received with
intense joy the advices telling of the victory
of Admiral Dewey's fleet. Their salts
faction 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 COM
pany was gathered, and read and
ed upon the story of the engagements as
It was presented in the bulletins of the AS
ISOLATED Press. At the club, down town,
at their homes and wherever seen, the off,
GERS were free in giving vent to the pleas
ure they felt at the news. and declaring
the confidence which they had entertained
throughout that the American ships, their
officers and men would demonstrate their
pine waters. The absence of any statement
of specific injury to the American vessels
in the Madrid advices was construed as con-
vincing indication that they had not suf-
fered appreciable injury. and this was es-
pecially pleasing to the naval student of
the news. Not only was the preservation
of American ships and men considered a
happy outcome, but it was commented upon
as indicating clearly that Admiral Dewey
and his associate officers and the men un-
der their command had discharged splen-
didly their several duties in directing and
executing the fight.
In this connection it was pointed out as
little less than marvellous that the American
squadron escaped without severe injury. be-
cause. Notwithstanding the disparity in the
naval forces. the Spanish fleet, assisted by
the shore batteries, should nave been able
TO infict severe damage to its foe before
itself being destroyed. It's failure to do so
was applicable only upon the hypothesis of
perfect and swift work by the Americans.
An opinion freely expressed tonight by
naval officers is hat the very decisive VIC
tory of Admiral Dewey's fleet will mean