Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-05-02
upon the hypothesis OF perfect and swift
work by the Americans.
EARLY END TO WAR.

WOIK Dy the AmeFlCaHs.
EARLY END TO WAR.
An opinion freely expressed tonight by
naval officers Is that the very decisive
victory of Admiral Dewey's fleet will
mean probably an early end to the war,
without further naval battles Of impor-
tance. The American feet, II Is suggest
ed, is now supreme in the waters of
the Spanish Pacific possessions. and indi-
cations are strongly towards the slipping
OF the Philippines from her control. 1t
was said that only by quickly yielding
to our demands I'm Cuba could this loss
possibly be averted. Spain, 1t was argued.
was confronted with a situation which
promised naught save disaster, in case
she elected TO force more fighting. The
superiority of a superior fleet has been
demonstrated In the Pacific, and the same,
1t Is contended. would be inevitable In
the Atlantic, in case the clash came.
From whatever point of view considered,
the policy of more fighting upon the part
OF Spain promised nothing but more
Spanish misfortune. Navy officers think
this view must prevail with Nthe Spanish
Government, and believe an end Of the
war upon the basis OF Cuban independ-
ence is TO follow soon; 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 over
the result of the conflict. says it will have
a tremendous effect. not only in Cuba,
but through England.
WILL OPEN SPAIN'S EYES.
The idea advanced by Judge McComas
was expressed by others tonight 1t is
regarded by some as likely that the de-
cisive victory gained by Admiral Deweys
squadron may open the eyes of Spain to
the seriousness of the conflict upon whicn
she has entered. In official circles II is
regarded as almost certain that trouble
of a more critical kind will confront the
Sagasta Government within Spain's own
borders. 1t is pointed out that the
Spanish people have been led to believe
that their navy was invincible, and the
bitter disappointment that will ensue over
the result OF the first engagement OF the
war is likely TO precipitate Internal dis-
sensiOn If not revolution.
Representations may be made to Spain
that she would better relinquish her hold
upon Cuba than risk losing all OF ner
West Indian possessions. and the Philip
pines as well. 1t is believed to be not
unlikely that the representations Will be
TO the effect that since Spanish honor
has been satisfied by q conflict, Spain
can now yield TO the inevitable and ac-
cept the good offices of the Powers to
bring about an adjustment.
DEWEY'S LANDING.
In the dispatches from Madrid the
statement is made that Admiral Dewey
effected Il landing on the west side OF
Manila Bay for the men of his fleet who
were wounded in the engagements. 1t
was suggested In official circles that this
landing had 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 other probable
engagements, but also to carry out what
was known To be Commodore Dewey's
purpose to effect junction with the in
surgents as soon as possible. AS soon
as the junction of the American and in
surgent forces, the one on sea and the
other on land, Is effected, a demand is
likely TO be made for the surrender of
the city, and, in the event of refusal,
a combined attack will be made upon 1t.
The result Of such an attack, in the alb
sence OF Spanish fleet and effective
shore batteries, seems foregone conclu-
sion.
DEWEY'S LOSS UNKNOWN.
No news of definite character is given
concerning the loss sustained by Admiral
Dewey's squadron. and IL Is scarcely
likely, In the opinion Of experts of the
navy. that authentic information will be
received until Admiral Dewey has oppor-
tunity to communicate officially with the
department. 1t is regarded as probable
after the engagements to-day that Ad
miral Dewey sent the McCulloch back TO
Hongkong with dispatches, and that the
first adyices from him viii come from
that point. The distance from Manila to
Hongkong is a trihe over GOO miles, and
It will take the McCulloch about two
days to make the trip.