New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-07-05
DIR FLAG IN THE PACIFIC.

The delay OF the first Philippine expedition
Is explained, and the explanation Is emnently
satisfactory to the American people. 1t was
not a typhoon. as some had feared. nor any
other disaster; nor unseawOrthness OF our ships
and inability TO make schedule time: nor some
mysterious Spanish fleet from Cadiz or Weiss
nichtwo: nor carelcssness and dilator1ness In
fulfilling an important mission. nor any such
thing No; but II was, on the contrary. more
complete fulhlmcnt OF the mission than the I'm
initiated had expected. A few days ago The
Trsbune's special correspondent ut Hong Kong
forecastcd Just what has occurred The belief
was prevalent in Admiral Dewey's feet. he sad
that the expedition had stopped on the way TO
take possession Of either the Mariana or the
Caroline islands. That belief Is now vindi-
Gated It did stop at the Marlana-or Ladrone
Islands took possession OF them for the
United States and carried the Spanish cx-GOv-
ernor and garrison on to Manila as prisoners
OF war 1t Is entirely within bounds OF posi-
blty that the latter are now in company with
General August. the Spanish Ex-Governor Of
the Philippines, for our correspondent also re-
ported that Admiral Dewey was ready to move
upon Manila Immediately upon the arrival Of
the troops, and in that gentle Yankees vocab-
uary Immediately does not mean next week.
but right away So we should not be
prised TO learn that the Fourth Of July
celebrated by our men In good old American
style in that very self-same plaza In the heart
of Manila where the beauty and fashion Of the
city have been wont to gather on fesal days
TO see offending natives tortured and shot 10
death.
Some further delay may, OF course be neces-
sary. Though Admiral Dewey Is ready. the re-
inforcing expedition may not be quite. though
the little practice skirlnish at the Maranas
ought to have tuned It up to concert pitch.
But II does not greatly matter. We are used
TO delays IN that quarter. There was one in
getting direct news from Admiral Dewey about
his May Day party. There has been another In
the arrival OF the Charleston and the troop
ships. But, seeing what the outcome Of them
was, we are entirely reconclled to having third
delay OF the same kind. IF Admiral Dewey Is
responsible for II, II will be all right More
over, the tidngs which the Charleston and her
convoy bear TO the hero Of Manila are worth
TO him and his brave men weInlgh as much as
their stores and relnforcements We can imag
Inc the cheers that arose from the Olympia and
her consorts when the Charleston hove In sight
with tho glad report that she had blnzed her
way across the Pacific by planting the Stars
and Stripes on Islands redeemed from Spanish
tyranny. Just what the amiable voyager Mt
Port Said will think Of 1t when he hears the
news Is perhaps less easily imagined but we
fancy he will have less difficulty in restraining
his joyful emotions than his chief did two
months ago. 1t Is said he is waiting for or
ders" Surely he ought not to have to wait
long. There IL now so splendid n chance for
him not merely to smash Dewey's old fleet,
but to smash the Charleston and probably. the
Monterey. too. and to kill or capture several
thousand Yankee pigs"
This glorious news speaks In impressive
tones. moreover. to our own Government mt
Washington, telling the duty Of the hour 50
plainly that none can mistake it's meaning The
first triumph of our flag In the Pacific was Of.
fected only after thrilling battle. The sec-
ond has been. no doubt. accomplished far more
easily, perhaps with scarcely the firing Of q