The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-05-02
WASHINGTON REJOICES.
No Such Excitement Since the Civil
War.


No Such Excitement Since the Civil
War.
Washington. y. c., May Washing
ton is reioiced tonight. Not since the
dark days of the great civil conflict of n
third Of a century ago have the people of
this city been so profoundly excited by
war news as they were this evening.
The first battle of the Spanish-Ameri-
can war has been fought and victory lies
with Admiral Dewey's squadron under
the stars and stripes
That was enough to set the people of
Washington almost i'll a frenzy of enthu-
siastic rejoicing. For days. they, in com
mon with the people throughout the
country have been awaiting news from
the Philippine Islands as everything
pointed to battle at Manila that might
he Il decisive conflict of the war When
the news came indicating 4 great victory
for the American squadron, the enthu-
Siasm of the people was let loose and
the streets of the city have rung with
cheers throughout the night
The first news of the battle received
in Washington came in a brief cable
gram 10 tue EASSUCtdltN L ltoN llplA 'itAN
rid about s o'clock this evening.
As the night wore on the cable CON
tinued to sing the news Of victory OF
the squadron of Admiral Dewey and the
interest grew into tremendous excite
ment.
Ordinarily. Washington is the quietest
of cities ON Sunday, but as bulletin after
bulletin syas posted in front
of the newpaper offices, each
successive one conveying infOr-
nation more gratifying than its pre-
decessor. the crowds in the streets be-
came unroarious. Good, as well ms bad
news, spread rapidly and by 10 O'Clock
the streets were crowded with people, all
discussing the one exciting topic of the
hour. Hundreds gathered in front of
the bulletin boards and every scintilla
Of news-and it was all glorlouS-was re-
ceived with enthusiastic cheers. While
victory had been expected, the news of 1t
coming as it did come from Spanish
sources-gave vent to the patriotism OF
the people which has been pent up for
days. 1t was n spontaneous outburst OF
patriotic feeling that scarcely knew
bounds. Admiral Deweys name was on
every lip and his praises were sung III
the reioicings of the people.
Thus far no official adyices had been
received by the Government, but the
Associated Press dispatches were trans
mitted to the President and officials oil
the administration as rapidly us they
were received. The President, IN COM
pany with several of his advisers. read
the bulletins in the library of the White
House early in the evening, but later
i'm the night he went to his office on the
second floor Of the Executive Mansion.
where. until a late hour, he continued
to peruse every dispatch with deepest
interest. The news was evidently OF the
most gratifying character to him, but no
statement could be obtained at the EX-
ecutive Mansion concerning the battle
or its possible consequences.
Officials of the Navy Department were
reticent in discussing the conflict in the
absence of official information, but they
made no pretense of cOncealng their
great qualification. Secretary Long de-
clined 10 comment upon the subject, but
il was evident that he felt relieved. 1t
has been known for days ut the Navy
Department that n conflict ut Manila
was inevitable. and while no great fear
of the result was expressed, there was
vet a deep concern in the heart of every
official. Tonight's news moves a great
weight from the minds Of all.
When Secretary Bliss was shown the
first dispatch. briefly recounting the vie
tory of the American squadron, he un-
hesitatingly expressed his qualification
at the result and gave utterance to the
hope that Admiral Deweys fleet had not
suffered greatly Senator Hanna and
Mr.. Chauncey NJ. Depew, Of New York,
who were with Secretary Bliss. at the
time. were delighted with the advices,
and made no concealment of their pleas
ure.
Secretary Alger declared that it was
"glorious victory" but in common with
other officials of the administration, de
clined to make extended comment upon
it.
Navy and army circles. after manifest
ing throughout the day the greatest
cngerness for news from the Philip
mines. received with intense JOY the ad-
VICES telling of the victory of Admiral
Dewey's fleet. Their satisfaction that
the defeat Of the Spanish had been over
whelming was strengthened by reason
of the news coming almost wholly from
Madrid. and they were unreserved IN
oxnressipc their qualification upon the
eiGnol triumDh of the American forces.
AZ tho Army and Navy Club, large
company was gathered and read and
commented upon the story of the engage
ment. MS it was presented In the bulletins
of the Associated Press. At the club,
down town. at their homes and where
ever seen. the officers were free IN giving