Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-05-05

CABLE
Spaniards Sever 1t at
Manila After the
Fight.
Long Has No OffiCiaIAd =
vices on the
Battle.
Dewey May Be Promoted
to the Rank of
Admiral.

Washington, May Sit is a curious
fact that the nation most interested In
the combat at Manila Sunday should
be among the last officially to know
the result. Up to the close of office
hours Monday the only information
our government received came through
II the report is true that Dewey has
begun a bOmbardment and blockade Of
Manila, it is unlikely that he can
spare a vessel from the fleet to carry
the news to Hong Kong, the nearest
cable station. The fear is entertained
that before retiring from the city the
Spanish troops will smash the electri-
cal apparatus for the reception or dis
patch of messages From the stubborn
defense by the Spaniards, it is feared
that before they burnt, blew up or
sunk their ships, they managed to in
hlct severe damage upon Dewey's
squadron. All ships engaged were
Vulnerable in one respect-namely,
lack of protection to life. There was
not an armored ship in the fleet, the
nearest approach being the flagship
Olympia. The other vessels have
lighter steel decks In ali cases the
personnel of the ships was exposed to
the fire OF the enemy. If Dewey lost
a considerable portion of his men. it
is feared that he will be much embar-
raised in the work of maintaining
possession Of Manila for lack of a SUI
hcient force. The United States naval
vessels are always undermanned
according to the European
standards, and it will not. be possible
to spare a considerable number of
men to keep the city. There is some
talk of sending troops from San Fran
cisco. 1t is likely that the depart
ment will wait to hear from Dewey be-
fore taking action.
AS to the future OF the island, it is
likely that the government will retain
possession of at least one good port,
such as Manila, for a coaling station
and a base Of supplies during the
remainder of the war. There is I'M
derstood to be considerable Spanish
force in the Philippines and a large
number of the natives is said to be
loyal" meaning attached to Spanish
fortunes. 1t is probable civil war may
rage on the islands for some time out
side Of Manila proper. 1t is believed
the officials have not decided what to
do with the islands at the end OF the
war, but in their possession the United
States will enjoy powerful weapon
in enfticing terms Of peace. Sup
posing Porto Rico was next seized, it
would seent that Spain would have
little to encourage her in future re-
slstance, particularly as the fall OF
Porto Rico would mean the loss to
her of her ironclad fleet should it cross
the Atlantic.
There is no talk yet of European in
tervention, but one OF the most bene-
fetal results Of Dewey's victory is
the deep impression made upon Euro
pean powers, who can no longer afford
to blind themselves to the fact that
the American navy is equal to any in
the world The impression produced
is likely to deter the European powers
from hasty intervention. The pres
ent indications are that we shall be
left to settle cur affairs with Spain at
cur own pleasure.
1t is entirely possible that Dewey
may secure promotion to the rank
Of admiral. AS naval law does not