Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-05-02
DEwEY'S GREAT VICTORY.
II Is Regarded as Of the Very Greatest
Importance.
1T MAY END THE WAR.
1t May Open spain's Eyes to the
Utter HopeIessness>f for Her of the
Struggle on Which She Has En-
tered.

the dark days OF the great civil cOilHlcl
! of n third OF a century ago have the
| people Of this city been so profoundly
| moved by war news as they were this
| evening.
The first battle OF the SpanishAmeri-
can war has been fought, and victory
lies with Admiral Dewey's squadron,
under the Stars and Stripes.
For days the people have been await
ing news from the Philippine Islands, as
everything pointed to battle at Manila
that might be the decisive conflict of the
war. When the news came. indicating
a great victory for the American squad
ron. the enthusiasm of the people was
let loose, and the streets have rung with
cheers throughout the ntght.
The first news of the battle came to
Washington in a brief cable TO the AS
ISOLATED Press about o'clock. AS the
night wore on the cable continued to
sing the news of victory for the squadron
of Admiral Dewey, and the enthusiasm
grew into tremendous excitement
CROWD UPROARIOUS
Ordinarily, Washington Is the quietest
Of cities on Sunday, but IS bulletin after
bulletin was posted tn front OF the news
paper offices, each successive one convey
ing information more gratifying than its
predecessor, the crowd became uproar-
ious. Good as well as bad news spread
rapidly, and by 10 o'clock the streets were
crowded with people, all discussing the
one exciting topic OF the hour. Hun
dreds gathered In front Of the bulletin
boards and every scintilla Of news-and
il was all glorious-wa received with en-
thusiastic cheers. While victory had
been expected, the news of it-coming, as
it did come, from Spanish sources-gaye
vent to the patriotism Of the people,
which has been pent up for days. 1t
was a spontaneous outburst of patriotic
feeling, that scarcely kneV bounds. Ad-
miral Dewey's name was on every lip,
and his praises were sung in the rejoicing
cheers.
Thus far no official news has been re-
ceived.
AT THE WHITE HOUSE.
The President, in company with seve-
raj Of his advisers, read the bulletins IN
the library of the White House early in
the evening. but later in the night he
went to his office, or The 6eeond Hoor OF
the Executive mansion, where, until
late hour. he continued To read every
dispatch with the 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 con-
sequences.
Officials of the Navy Department were
reticent in discussing the conflict, IN the
absence Of official information, but they
made no pretence OF concealng their
great qualification. Secretary Long de-
clined to comment upon the subject, but
II was evident that he felt relieved. 1t
has been known for days at the Navy
Department that conflict at Manila
was inevitable and while no great lear
of the result was expressed, there was
yet a deep concern in the heart of every
official To-night's news removes u great
weight from the minds OF all.
A GLORIOUS VICTORY.
When Secretary Bliss was shown the
first dispatch, briefly recounting the We
tory of the American squadron, he un-
hesitatingly expressed his qualification
at the result, and gave utterance 10 the
hope that Admiral Dewey's feet had not
suffered greatly. Senator Hanna ana
Mr.. Chauncey NJ. Depew. Of New YORK.
who we've with Secretary Bliss at the
time. were delighted with the adyices, and
made no concealment of their pleasure.
Secretary Alger declared that 1t was
GLORIOUS victory" but, in common with
other officials of the administration, de-
clined TO make extended comment upon it.
DEFEAT OVERWHELMING.
Navy and army circles. after manifest
ing throughout the day the greatest
eagerness for news from the Philippines,
received with intense JOY the adviees tell
ing of the victory of Admiral Deweys
feet. They were satisfied that the defeat
of the Spanish had been overwhelming
by the news coming almost wholly from
Madrid, and they were unreserved In ex-
pressing their qualification at the signal
triumph of American warriors. At the
Navy and Army Club a large number
were gathered, and read and commented
upon the story of the engagement, as 1t
was presented in the bulletins Of the AS
ISOLATED Press. At the club downtown,
at their homes, and wherever seen, the
officers were free in giving vent TO the
pleasure they felt at the news, and in de-
claring the confidence which they had
entertained throughout that the Ameri-
can ships, their officers, and men, would
demonstrate their superiority over the
Spanish fleet In Philippine waters.
WHAT DAMAGE TO Us?
The absence OF any statement Of speci-
fic injury to the American vessels In the
Madrid adyices was construed as con-
vincing indication that they had not suf-
fered appreciable injury, and this was es-
pecially pleasing TO the naval students
OF the news. Not only was the preserva-
ton of the American ships and men con-
sidered in itself happy outcome, but IL
was commented upon as indicating clear |
ly that Admiral Dewey and his associate |
officers, and the men under their COM |
mand, had discharged their duty splen-
didly in directing and executing the hsht. |
In this connection, II was pointed out as |
little less than marvellous that the Amer |
lean squadron escaped without severe IN !
tury. because, Notwithstanding the dis
parity I'm naval forces. the Spanish fleet, |