The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-05-02


NOT SINCE THE DAYS OF THE
GREAT CIVIL CONFLICT OF A
THIRD OF A CENTURY AGO
HAVE THE PEOPLE OF THIS CITY
BEEN so PROFOUNDLY MOVED
By WAR NEWS AS THEY WE'RE
THIS EVENING. II 4
THE FIRST BATTLE OF THE
H1SPANo-AMERIcAN WAR HAS
BEEN FOUGHT, AND VICTORY.
LIES WITH COMMODORE DEwEY's
SQUADRON, UNDER THE STARS
AND STRIPES. Z,
That was enough to set the people OF
Washington almost in frenzy Of en-
thuslastic rejoicing. The first news OF
the battle received In Washington came
In brief cablegram to the Associated
Press from Madrid at 8 o'clock this
evening. AS the night wore on. the
cable continued TO sing the news Of the
victory of the squadron OF Admiral
Dewey, and the interest grew into tre-
mendous excitement. II
Ordinarily Washington Is the quietest
OF cities on Sunday. but as bulletin, af-
ter bulletin was posted In front Of the
newspaper offices, each conveying in
formation more gratifying than its
predecessor, the crowds In the streets
became more uproarious. Hundreds
gathered In front of the bulletin boards
and every scintilla OF news, and It was
all glorious, was received with much
enthusiasm. While victory had been
expected, the news OF 1t. coming as It
did, from Spanish sources, gave vent to
the patriotism Of the people, which had
ben pent up for several days. It was a
spontaneous outburst of patriotic feel
ing that scarcely knew bounds, and Com
mo6ore Dewey's name was on every lip,
| and his praises were sung In the rejoic-
irgs OF the people.
The President, IN company with sew
eral 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, on the second floor
OF the executive mansion, where until q
late hour, he continued to peruse every
dispatch with deepest interest. The
news was evidently OF the most crafty
Ing character 10 him. but no statement
could be obtained at the executive man
sion concerning the battle or its possi-
BILE consequences.
Officials of the navy department were
reticent In discussing the conflict In the
absence OF official Information, but they
made no pretense OF conceallng their
satisfaction.
To-night's news removes q great
weight from the minds Of all.
NVhnt The viclcry Means.
An opinion freely expressed Tonight
by naval officers Is that the very decis-
I've victory Of Commodore Dewey's fleet
will mean probably on early end to the
war without further naval battles OF I'm
portance. The American fleet 1t Is sug-
gested, is now supreme in the waters of
Spain's Pacific possession and indlca-
tons were strongly towards the slipping
OF the Philippines from her control. It
was said that only by quickly yielding
to our demands In Cuba could this loss
possibly be averted. Spain, It was ar
gued. was confronted with q situation
which promised naught save disaster In
case che elected to force more fighting.
The superiority Of q superior fleet has
been demonstrate In the Pacific, and the
same. 1t is contended. would be inevita-
Bile In the Atlantic In case the clash
comes. From whatever point OF view
Considered. the policy OF more fighting
upon the part of Spain promises nothing
but more Spanish misfortune. Naval
officers think this view must prevail
with the Spanish government and be-
lleve any end of the war, upon the basis
of Cuba independence, Is to follow soon.
and that too. without further notable
opportunity for the American navy to
prove It's power and distinguish itself.
In official circles It Is regarded as al
most certain that trouble OF most
critical kind will confront the Sagasta
government within Spaln's own bor-
ders. 1t is pointed out that the Spanish
people have been led TO believe that
their navy was lnv!ncible. and the Bit
ter disappointment that will ,ensue
over the result OF the first argument OF
the war Is likely TO precipitate internal
dissenslon, it not revolution.
Another Result. .i.I
Another result of Commodore Dewcy's
victory. It is thought. may be action on
the part of the powers Of Europe to In
duce Spain to abandon what Is regard
ed as q hopeless contest for her. Rep,
reservations may be made to Spain that
she would better rellnquish her hold
upon Cuba than to risk losing all OF
her West Indies possessions, and the
Philippines as well. It is believed to be
not unlikely that the representations
will indicate that, since Spanish honor
has been satisfied by, q conflict. Spain
can now yield to the inevitable, and
accept the good offices OF the powers
to bring about an adjustment.
In the dispatches from Madrid the
statement was made that Commodore
Dewey effected n landing on the west
side Of Manila Bay for the men OF his
fleet who were wounded in the engage
ment. It was suggested In official cir
cles that this landing had q two-fold
purpose. 1t was not only that the
wounded might have better care than
they could receive on ship board, In the
face OF another probable engagement,
but also TO carry out what was known
to be Commodore Dewey's purpose 10
effect junction with the insurgents
MS soon as possible. The insurgent
loTeeS piuctlcaliy eurTounueu Munilu
on the land sides of the city, and with
the Intention OF securing control Of Ma
nila as soon us possible. Commodore
Dewey was to obtain n footing on the
Island at the earliest practicable mo-
mcnt.
As soon as the junction OF tho, Amerl-
can and insurgent forces, tho one on
sea and the other on land, Is effected.
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