The San Francisco call., 1898-05-08

ton correspondent of the Herald sends the following: Intense enthusiasm and serene satisfaction was expressed by the officials in Washington to-day at the character of the news received from Manila. Practically unhampered as he was by instructions from Washington and acting under plan of campaign prepared by himself Admiral Dewey's victory reflects all the more credit upon himself. It is true that Assistant Sec retary Roosevelt several months ago urged that when hOstilitieS commenced with Spain the Philippines be taken, and that the War Board give con- sideration to the matter, which culmin ated in the instructions to Admiral Dewey.
 These instructions were general in character, and it can be stated on au- thority that they directed him to steam at once to the Philippines and capture and destroy the vessels of the Spanish fleet before attempting to engage in operations against the Notifications. But it was Admiral Dewey's plan that caused him to enter the harbor in the gray of morning that brought on the engagement when the Spaniards were half asleep.
 In wiring to Dewey informing him that the President had promoted him to be an acting admiral" and that he would recommend a vote of thanks from Congress, Secretary Long evi- dently meant acting rear admiral There is no authority in law for the appointment of an admiral, rear -ad miral being the highest grade recog- nized. By directing Admiral Dewey to assume the rank and title of that grade he has made that officer the senior off, cer of the naval service, an enViable position to hold.
 Although an acting admiral Admiral Dewey will not draw the pay of that grade, that being prohibited by law. and the only reward he will get out of his act for the present, at least, will be the rank and title and the knowledge of the qualification felt by the admins tration and the country at his glorious work
 From the President down to the mes SengerS in the Navy Department pa triotic qualification is felt at the re- suit of the Philippine campaign. Many prominent public men called upon the chief executive to-day and congratu- lated him on the triumph of the Ameri- can arms in the far east, anl to each of them the President expressed his heartfelt satisfaction and gratitude to the OI1C6TS anu lilSIl Ol lHS eIlllIe ASl- atic squadron for the bravery, skill and judgment displayed during the entire attack.
 Secretary Long was also the recipi- ent of many congratulations, and at the instance of Senator Mark Hanna, who listened with the newspaper men and department employees to the read | ing of Dewey's dispatches this morn ing, three hearty cheers were given for the admiral and for the brave men who | by his direction have destroyed the i Spanish power in the Philippines. In order that there might be no doubt of Admiral Dewey's dispatches promptly ! reaching the department I understand that duplicates were sent over two l cable lines and they came to the de- partment early this morning and ne cesSitated double work for Lieutenant | H. H. Whittlesey and Lieutenant G. W. Logan, the cipher experts who are on duty in the Bureau of Navigation.
 Assistant Secretary Roosevelt made 1 this statement to me this afternoon: 1 Admiral Dewey has won victory greater than any since Trafalgar, with 1 the exception of Farra guts. It is one ! of the greatest sea fights of all time, | and every American is Dewey's ad- | mirer. The chief thing that it shows is the absolute necessity, even with the ! new engines of war themselves to have men in the coming towers and men be- 1 hind the guns trained to the highest possible point. Though the American fleet was superior to the Spanish, yet | the Spanish batteries and the danger of navigating the bay made material 1 odds against the Americans, yet so cool | and daring was Dewey, so skillful his i captains and so Well-trained his gun ners that the Spaniards were smashed l to atoms, while our people were prac- | tically unscratched. Tn fact the Ameri- | can fire was so overwhelming that it | practically paralyzed the Spaniards."
 Members of the war board besides As sistant Secretary Roosevelt gave to Ad- miraI Dewey the entire credit for the | glorious victoryahe won.
 Tt is a complete and glorious victory" said Rear-Admiral Sicard l president of the board. Manila being | the key to the islands and the center of the Spanish force and under his | control, he will have no difficulty in holding it until troops arrive"
 Captain A. s. Crowninshield, chief of the Bureau of Navigation, who most