Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-05-08

that, with superb judgment, Dewey abso-
lutely smothered the fire Of the Spanish
batteries and ships under the weight Of his
metal before they had opportunity to make
any effective response. AS for the forts.
it Is likely that he took up his position at
distance that placed his ships beyond
the range Of the old fashioned ordnance
that formed nine-tenths or more Of the de-
fensive power Of the works. and ehelled
them into silence. succeeding in escaping
hits meantime from the few pieces OF
modern ordnance that could be trained
upon him. OF course, this opinion Is specu-
lative, but it represents the views Of seine
of the ablest strategists in the navy de-
partment.
Admiral Dewey speaks Of the Spanish
sick and wounded in hospital within our
lines" There can be but one interpreta-
tion placed upon this, namely. that the
admiral has occupied Cavite, a considerable
town about seven miles toward the mouth
of the bay from Manila. He has thus. sup
posing he goes no farther. secured a naval
base for the fleet which will serve
Cavite, it is said, outside of the fortifica-
tions, possessed already very many Of the
essentials of a naval station. among them
a marine railway capable Of lifting out
Of the water vessels up to 1000 tons dis
placement, and hence Of great service In
repairing and cleaning the smaller ves-
sells of the American fleet.
81 "a
cabIegram is the statement that he de-
stroyed the fortifications at the bay en-
trance This refers to the strong forts at
Corregidor island. lying at the entrance to
the bay, and insures the admiral against
any interruption In the line Of commune
cations with the outside world.
The house was not in session to-day, but
many members were about the capitol and
read with eagerness the Associated Press
bulletins presenting the news sent by Com
modore Dewey to the navy department.
Throughout the week the general gratifi-
cation over the victory in the Philippine
waters has been Swallowed with equally
general anxiety concerning the damage to
our men and ships. When Dewey's dis
patches, telling that there had been no loss
of life and very few wounded, as well as
no severe injury to the American ships.
were made public, the relief experienced
aroused second wave Of satisfaction. as
though news of a second victory had been
received. The escape Of the Americans
from serious suffering was generally looked
upon as little less than miraculous, and was
conceded to be explicable only upon the
theory that the maneuvering and general
execution of the Americans had been fault
less and the work of the Spanish generally
bad.
Steadfast friends Of the navy. and those
who have urged persistently more liberal
support for 1t. were especially pleased with
the splendid vindication presented by Com
modore Dewey and those under his COM
mard. but their pride in the record Of the
Americans was not greater than that gen.
orally manifested. Granting them superior
ships, it was not possible to explain the
overwhelming victory and the American
escape Of disaster except by reason Of su-
perior officers and men being In charge OF
American guns and ships during the fight.
In the comment that was heard about the
house and committee rooms there was uni
versal concession that the fight OF Cavite
had removed all doubt ~ to the superiority