The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-05-02

IN FRENZY OF REJOICING
Continued from Page Ons)


people.
Thus far no official advices have been
received by the government, but the as
ISOLATED press dispatches were trans
mitted to the president and officials of
the administration as rapidly as 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 in
the night he went to his office on the
second fioor of the executive mansion,
where, until a late hour, he continued to
peruse every dispatch with deepest In
terest. The news was evidently OF the
most gratifying character to him. but
no statement could be obtained at the
executive mansion concerning the battle
or it's possible consequences.
Officials of the navy department were
reticent in discussing the conflict in the
absence of official information. but they
made nc p%retense of concealing their
great qualification. Secretary Long de-
clined to upon the subject,
but il was evident that he felt relieved.
1t has been known for days at the navy
department that a conflict at Manila
was inevitable, and while no great fear
of the result was expressed. there was
yet "A deep concern in the heart of
every official. To-night's news removes
a great weight from the minds Of all.
When Secretary Bliss was shown the
first dispatch, briefly recounting the
victory OF the American squadron, he
unhesitatingly expressed his gratihca-
ton at the result and gave utterance
to the hope that Admiral Dewey's fleet
had not suffered greatly. Senate
| Hanna and Chauncey M. Depew of New
York, who were with Secretary Bliss
at the time. were delighted at the ad-
vices and made no concealment or their
pleasure.
Secretary Alger declared that it was
"a GLORIOUS victory" but, in common
with other officials of the administra-
ton, declined to make extended COM
ment upon IL.
Navy and army circles. after mani
Testing throughout the day the great
est eagerness for news from the Pniiip-
pines, received with intense JOY the
adyices telling of the victory OF Adj
mirai Dewey's fleet. Their satisfaction
at the defeat of the Spanish has been
strengthened by the news coming IL
most from Madrid, and they were I'M
reserved in expressing their gratifca-
ton upon the signal triumph OF Inc
American forces.
At the Army and Navy club a large
company was gathered and the crowd
commented upon the story of the en-
eagement as IL was presented In the
bulletins of the associated press.
At the club, down town, at their
homes and wherever seen, the ofbcials
were free in giving vent 10 the pleas
ure they felt at the news and declar-
ing the confidence which they had en-
tertained throughout that the Amcrl-
can ships, their officers and men would
demonstrate their superiority over the
Spanish fleet in the Philippine waters.
The absence of any statement OF spe-
cinc injury to the American vessels IN
the Madrid advices was construed as
convincing indication that they had not
suffered appreciable injury, and TINS
was especially pleasing to the naval
students of the news.
Not only was the preservation ot the
American ships and men considered III
itself a happy outcome, but was com
mented upon as indicating clearly that
admiral Dewey and his associate oif-
GERS and men under their
had discharged splendidly their several
duties i'm directing and executing the
fight.
In this connection II was pointed out
as little less than marvellous that the
American squadron escaped without
severe injury, because, notwithstand-
ing the disparity in the ava forces,
the SPANISH fleet, assisted by the shore
batteries, should have been able to IN
nict severe damage To its zoe before
it's being destroyed. Its failure 10 90
SO was explicable only upon the n.y.
DOtneSlS OF DtTlttt u WIN ''N -
the American squadron. Ii is the
opinion freely expressed tonight mat
the very decisive victory of Admiral
pewey's fleet will mean probably an
early end to the war without further
naval battles of Importance. The
American fleet. IL is suggested. Is now
supremc i'm the waters OF SPANS Pa
cihc possession. and indications were
strongly toward the slipping OF the
philinpines from her control.
IL was said that only by quick yield
ing 10 our demand I'm Cupa could this
loss possibly be averted. Spain, IL was
argued. wat confronted with a situa-
ton which promised taught save dis
aster in case she elected to force more
fighting. The superiority OF the Amer
lean fleet has been demonstrated i'm The
Pacific and the same. 1t Is commended
would be inevitable i'm the Atlantic IN
case the clash comes. From whatevei
point of view considered. the policy OF
more nghting or the part of SPAR
promises nothing but more spanish
misfortune. Navy Officers think thi.
view mist prevail with the Spanish
government. and believe an end of TIT
war on the basis Of Cuban independ
ence is to follow soon, and that, too
without further notable o~pportunit,
for the American navy TO prove III
l power and distinguish itself.
Judge McConias, sehator eiee' ii""
; Maryland, after expressing his JOY owe
; the result of the conflict. struck a Ike,
note of the expected result OF the can
; nonading at Manila to-day when h
said that IL was likely to have a tire
! mendous effect not only IN spain, bu
!. throughout Europe. He expressed tn
! belief that IL would tuyn the tide o
European sentiment toward the Unit
ed States.
> The idea dyanced by Judge Nc
Comas was expressed by others TO
night. IL is regarded by some as like
IN that the decisive victory gained b.
z Admiral Dewey's squadron may opei
Z the eyes OF Spain to the seriousness q
: the conflict upon which she has en-
e tered. In official circles II II regarde'
. as almost certain that trouble OF
most critical kind will confront Sa
rasta's government within Spain
- n, A. praaicfed that IN