The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-04-26

Washington, April 25.-The nrst
move after a declaration of war will
be directed at the Philippine Islands.
The Pacific squadron, under Commo-
lore Dewey, has received sealed or
ders, which may involve wrestling the
Philippines from Spanish control, and
by Tuesday or Wednesday a blockade
Of Philippine ports will doubtless be in
operation.
The first naval battle of the war
may be fought in Asiatic waters. Com
modore Dewey Is one of the most gal
liant officers of the American navy,
and his efficiency is equal to his gall
lantry as a commander. He has
record for daring gained in the Civil
War which is not eXcelled by that of
any other officer of the navy.
His feet, while smaller in number
than the Spanish fleet in Asiatic
waters, is more effective. 1t contains
some of the best ships in the American
navy.
The Olympia, which is used by Com
modore Dewey as a flagship, is one of
the finest first-rate cruisers we have,
with a speed of q knots. The Boston
is one of the Oldest cruisers in the
navy, but one of the very best, and in
her recent run from Chemulpo to Hong
Kong, she showed that age had in
creased her speed instead of lessening
it. Her original speed was Is knots
hut on this run she was accompanied
by the Raleigh, a 17-knot cruiser, and
she was compelled more than once to
reduce her speed in order that the
Raleigh nigh keep abreast. The
Raleigh, also a seCond-rate cruiser, is
good in its class. although inferior to
the other ships of the squadron.
The unarmored cruiser Baltimore
Joined the squadron only a few days
ago. Besides these cruisers, Commo-
dOre Dewey has the gunboat Petrol and
the old Monocacy. Nothing is expected
of the Monocacy, which is a double
ender, built during the war and prac-
tically out of service. The first work
of the Pacific squadron will doubtless
be to blockade Manila and Iloilo, the
two principal ports of the Philippines.
But the Spanish fleet in those waters
can be depended upon to prevent this
being a pacific blockade. and a hostile
meeting cannot long be avoided.
ISLANDS A LOAD.
The result of action in Asiatic waters
may be the seizure of the Philippines
by the United States, and this opens
up an aggressive campaign, the end OF
which it is difficult to see. The United
States has no use for the Philippines
The islands would be a load about its
neck, requiring constant protection and
contributing little to it's material wei.
fare in return. If they are seized by
our navy as the spois of war theN
might be offered to Japan or to Great
Britain, and the millions received from
their sale would be used to reimburse
us for the expenses of war.
This possibility has occurred TO lead.
ers in congress. The Philippines neet
not be the only Spanish possessions tC
fall into our hands. If Spain were will.
ing to sue for peace after she had beer
stripped Of her control in Cuba the wal
of course would end then and there
for we have not entered upon a career
Of conquest. But it is not expected
that Spain will be willing to let tn,
tory she has never yet relinquished hel
hold upon any of her possessions with
out stubborn fight extending owe
many years. It took her nearly three
quarters Of a century to acknowledg,
the independence of the Netherlands
and she let go her hold on her Soutl
American colonies with equal reluct
ance. So long as she can fight at al
she may be depended upon to keep III
a harassing warfare with the United
States even after Cuba has beel
wrenchcd from her hands, and in tn
course of that warfare the United
States may seize Porto Rico and pos
sibly the Canaries. Here opens up tn
possibility of the extension of Ameri
can prestige far beyond what is now il
immediate contemplation. Porto Ric,
would probably be retained as a valued
prize with its fertile soil and it's peace
full and industrious population. TIL
Canaries we do not need, and could no
use TO good advantage, but they woul,
be Of immense value to Great Britain
and it has been suggested by far-seeinl
men that Great Britain would be will
Ing TO accept them in exchange for tn
Bermudas, and thus leave in American
hands the control of the outposts Of tn
American continent in the Atlantic
Should the war continue for fey
months as it doubtless will, the Ha
waiian Islands might have to be take
as military necessity, and it is know
that the administration has had thi
possibility in mind. The American fla
would be raised there with the cOnsen
of the inhabitants, and once raised
would not again be hauled down.