The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-05-03

Should IL cross the Atlantic.
There is nc talk yet of European inter-
v%ention. but one of the most beneficial re-
suits of Dewey's victory yesterday 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
in the world. There was no exhibition such
as was sneeringly predicted in the Euro
pean press. of weakness in the American
feet, caused by the fact that it was of
heterogeneous composition. 1t is safe to
say that after the battle of Manila the Eu-
ropean powers will conclude that the Amer
lean flag always floats over the American
crew, regardless Of the nativity or racial
descent of the men who fight the guns.
The impression produced is likely to deter
the European powers from hasty interven-
ton, and the present indications are that
we shall be left to settle our affairs with
Spain at our own pleasure, always provid-
ing we do not get involved in the Eastern
question through obtaining possession of
the Philippines.
1t is entirely possible that Commodore
Dewey may secure his promotion to the
rank of admiral through the splendid ex-
hibition of pluck, discretion and sailor
qualities he made in yesterdays engage
ment. The naval law, however, does not
permit of promotion except by seniority, so
that it probably would be requisite for Con-
gress to pass a special resolution, such as
was done in the case of Commodore Mel
vile, to afford him his weIl-earned promo
ton.
NO ADVICES FROM FOREIGNERS.
Although the British Colonial Office hal
been fully advised of the American success
from Manila the authorities in London did
not communicate with the British embassy
here, nor did the Foreign Office at Paris,
Berlin or other capitals notify their repre-
sentatives here. This is taken to indicate
that the foreign offices will not
cate events of a strictly military character.
and also that the American OCCUPATION of
The Philippines has not yet assumed a po-
ntical aspect at foreign centers. Sir Charles
Mitchell, who has advised the British
Colonial Office on the situation at Manila,
is well known to the British officials here.
He is governor general of the Straits Set
element. his home being at Singapore, which
has cable communication with Manila.
Uncontirmed reports that Manila was be-
ing bombarded caused much uneasiness at
the foreign headquarters. 1t was said that
If the town itself was under bombardment
serious complications might arise, as nom
combatants and the foreign colonies, it is
Ill ,I~..v k..- 49, - lN--G
twenty-four hours notice of an attack
upon the town proper. If, however, Com
modore Dewey is combining his lombard
ment to Cavite and other forts no such
questions can arise.
1t is said at the Navy Department that It
was not the purpose of Commodore Dewey
to lombard Manila except as a last resort.
The news that the Spanish soldiers were
to make a stand on the plaza indicates that
some further resistance is likely, but it is
believed that this can be overcome by a
few well-directed shells from the war ships.
The officials believe from the. information
so far received through the press that the
Spanish forts, such as they were, have been
destroyed by the American fleet. So far DIS
is known here the only defense of Manila in
the shape of fertilization that amounted to
anything is located at Cavite. 1t was
scarcely expected in. naval circles that Com
modore Dewey would act with such great
promptness in entering the inner harbor.
1t was known that the harbor at its mouth
was too wide to be commanded by the in
ferior ordnance of the Spaniards, and that
the water was too deep to permit the sue
cessful defense of the entrance to the inner
harbor by mines. The charts show that the
harbor entrance is no less than five miles
,.-O-. A,,f - - NJ no r,ann- oarfof,, fhaf
mines have not been placed in the inner
harbor. and it was a plucky undertaking
for Commodore Dewey to enter this harbor
without spending some time in cautious ex-
ploration and countermining. Manila has
a population of 10000 people, so
that it probably would be very
difficult for Commodore Dewey to spare
enough men from his fleet to maintain pos
session of the town. unless he can arrange
to secure the support of the insurgents,
with whom he is understood to be in COM
.munication.
VII GIVE "a HOURS NOTICE.
Despite contrary reports, il is expected
that the commodore will lombard the town
at once, if at all, for it is said at the State
Department that, except in a great emer-
gency, he will follow the dictates of inter-
national law. and give notice Of from TWEEN
tAy-lOuT 10 lOfIy-elSnI hours OI MS lnteH-
tion to begin a bombardment, in order that
noncombatants may retire from danger. The
large English and German interests in Man
fla, 1t is thought, will weigh with the COM
modore, and cause him to give the notice
commonly communicated prior to a bonn
bardment. While filled with qualification
that he made no attempt to conceal, Secre-
tary Long received the detailed information
of the engagement on Sunday very cooIly.
Without showing the least disposition to de-
tract from the glory that had been won by
Dewey and his captains. the secretary nat
urally felt that no small share of the vic
tory should be charged to the directing
forces in the department., which had so
carefully and painstakingly laid the plans
for Dewey's campaign.
After speaking in terms of the highest
commentator of the commodore's work,
Secretary Long said: THE American fleet
has come up to what was expected of ii. It's
success shows that il was not a rash under
taking on the part of the department to
send the ships to Manila under such COM
mand as Dewey's. with his captains and
with his men. His ships, in the fine condi-
tiOn they We're in, were positively expected
to sweep the Spanish fleet away and take
Manila. The action of the Navy Depart
ment in ordering tnis movement seems to
be thoroughly Justified"
GREATER VICTORY THAN REPORTED.
The conviction is growing in the State and