The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-05-03

splendidly their suveral duties. in IL
recting and executing the nght- In
this connection Il was pointed out -
little less than marvellous that .far
American squadron escaped withc0s
severe injury. because. notwithstar6-
ing the disparity in the naval rorues.
the Spanish feet, should have secn
able to infiict severe damage to 1ts
foe before itself being destroyed. It's
failure TO do so was explicable only
| upon the hypothesis OF perfect and
swift work by the Americans.
WHAT THIS VICTORY MEANS ,
An opinion freely expressed tonight
by naval officers is that the very de-
csive victory OF Admiral Dcwey's
fleet VIII mean probably an early cRsi
10 war without further naval battles
Of Importance. The American fleet, Il
is suggested. is now supreme I'm rho
waters OF Spain's pacific possession
and Indications were strongly towards
the slipping OF the Philippines from her
control. Ii was said that only 10y
quickly yielding TO our demands IN
Cuba could. this loss possibly b-4 avert
ed. Spain, it was argued, was con-
fronted With a situation which prNn-
ised naught save disaster in case she
elected TO force more fighting T'ha
superiority OF our fleet has been dem
onstrated in the pacific. and the same.
it is contended would be inevitable i'm
the Atlantic i'm case the clash comes
from whatever point of view considered
the policy OF more fighting upon the
part OF Spain, promised nothing bot
more Spanish misfortune. Navy Ofcs-
GERS thing this view must prevail with
the Spanish government and believe m
end of the war, upon the basis OF Gu
ban independence, is to follow sGorts
and that too. without further notable
opportunity for the American navy to-
prove its power and distinguish Itself
Judge McComas, senator-elect from
Maryland, after expressing his JOY oveG
the result of the conflict, struck a key
note Of the expected result OF the cam
nonading at Manila when he said that
ii was likely to have tremendous ef-
feet not only in Spain, but throughout
Europe. He expressed the belief that
it would turn the tide of European sem
timent towards the United States. The
idea advanced by Judge McComas was
expressed by others tonight. II Is re-
garded by some as likely that the de-
cisive victory gained by Admiral Dew
ey's squadron may open the eyes OF
Spain TO the seriousness OF the conflict
upon which she had entered. In off,
cial circles il is regarded as almost
certain that trouble of a most critical
kind will confront the Sagasta govern
ment within SPANS own borders. IL is
pointed out that the Spanish people
have been led to believe that their navy
was invincible and the bitter disap-
pointment that will ensue over the re-
suit of the first engagement Of the war
is likely to precipitate internal dis
sention, if not a revolution.
Another result OF Admiral Dewey's
victory, it is thought. may be action
on the part of the powers OF Europe to-
induce Spain to abandon what IL re-
garded as a hopeless contest for her
Representations may be made to Spain
that she would better relinquish her
hold upon Cuba than TO risk losing
all OF her West Indian possessions and
the Philippines as well. Ii is believed
to be not unlikely that the representa-
tions will indicate that, since Spanish
honor has been satisfied by a conflict
Spain can now yield to the inevitable
and accept the good offices Of the pow
ers to bring about an adjournment
In the dispatches from Madrid the
statement was made that Admiral
Dewey effected a landing on the west
side OF Manila bay for the men OF hiss
feet who were wounded in the engage
ments. 1t was suggested I'm official cir
cles that this landing had a two-foid
purpose. 1t was not only that tho
wounded might have better care than
they could receive on shipboard in the.
ide- Va otuSI pEODdufe eHBdseUSHLSs
but also to carry out what was known
to- be Admiral Dawey's purpose to ef-
feet junction with the insurgents as
soon as possible. The insurgent forces
practically surround Manila on the lan1
sides OF the city and with the intention.
of securing control OF Manila as soon
as possible Admiral Dewey was TO OBJ
tain a footing on the island at the
earliest practicable moment. AS SOON
as the tunctSpn OF the American and
insurgent fof#es. the one on sea and
the other on Hnd, is effected, demand
is likely to be made for the surrender
Of the city, and, in the event Of a re-
fusal. a combined attack woufd be-
made upon 1t. The result Of such an at
tack, in the absence Of a Spanis. feet
and effective shore batteries, Stems a
foregone conclusion.
No news ofuamsHite character In given
concerning the loss sustained by Ad-
miral Dewey's squadron and IL is
scarcely likely. In the opinion Of exc
perts OF the navy, that authentic infor-
nation Will be received until Admsra1
Dewey has opportunity to communt-
cate officially with the department II
Is regarded as probable that immedf-
ately after the engagements OF to6zN-
Admiral Dewey sent the revenue cut--
ter McCulloch back to Hong Kong with
dispatches and that the first infcrma-
tion will come from that point. Tho.
distance from Manila to Hong Kong ~
a trifie over coo miles and IL will take
the McCulloch about two days to malke=
the trip.