The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-05-03
He MAY MOVE ON SPAIN
MORE FIGHTING IN PROSPECT
FOR DEWEY

washington Diplomats Greatly In
terested in the News From Man.
lila, and In Some Quarters 1t Is
Believed That the American Vic
tory May he the BEGINNING Of
the End of the Struggle.
WASHINGTON, May 1.-The general
opinion among members of the admin
istration is that the naval victory at
Manila is not only highly important
of itself, but that it will have a de-
cided influence among the nations of
Europe, which may ultimately result
in their united action in forcing Spain
TO an early REIMBURSEMENT of the i'm
possible task of compelling the United
states to change its course with respect
to Cuba.
The attorney general, when question
ed today, said that in his Judgment
the Manila victory was the beginning
of the end. A few such defeats much
convince the Spanish government that
their case was a hopeless one. and 1t
was his opinion that it would be a
matter of only few weeks or months
before Spain would be anxious
to reopen negotiations with the United
States with view to a complete sur
render OF her sovereignty over Cuba.
thinking men, he said, the world
over, have been convinced from the
first that there could be but one issue to
the present struggle. Spanish SOW
ereignty in this hemisphere must end
completely and forever This view he
believed had been shared by the lead
ing members of the Spanish govern
ment, but they were powerlesS to pre-
vent a conflict which they we'll knew
must result fatally to their cause.
Secretary Gage held similar views,
and he was inclined to the opinion that
Spain might not wait for more crush
ing defeats before she set on foot nego-
tlatlonS looking to the &C ton of hos
tilities. There had not been from the
first and could not be any question as
to the final result of.w between the
two countries. We were so far superior
TO them in everything that goes to
make up great nation that only a
short time would be necessary, in his
judgment, to demonstrate even to the
satisfaction Of the Spaniards them
selves that they were completely out
classed. However, the initiative prob
ably would be a concert of the Euro
pean powers. but how soon that in
hueEice would be effectively brought to
bear on the Spanish government could
not be foretold.
Although the victory at the Philip
pines undoubtedly will have the effect
or releasing at least a part of Commo-
dore DeWey's fleet, members of the ad-
ministration are not inclined to discuss
what action will be taken in that re-
gard. Whether or not they would be
sent westward against the Spanish fleet
at home or proceed east to Join our
own fleet in the Atlantic Is not known.
1t Is obvious, however, that as soon
as the islands have been taken COM
plete possession of by Commodore
Dewey, a sufficient force of United
States troops will be sent thither to
hold them, and to exercise proper DO
lice supervision.
Diplomats Interested.
At the foreign embassies and leea-
tons intense interest is shown in the
news of the victory of the American
fleet at Manila. 1t was stated by a
diplomatic official today that another
such victory would end the cause of
Spain and would force her to seek an
armistice ard peace The universal
belief in diplomatic quarters is thar
this stroke in the Philippines will be
followed Immediately by aggressive ac-
ton in Cuba. Aside from the immedi
ate effects of the Manila engagement,
foreign representatives here say 1t is
likely to precipitate internal convul-
sions in Spain. This has been appre-
hended by the European powers. and
1t has been what has been counted on
to end the war.
Advices from Manila have not been
received by any of the establishments
representing the great powers Of Eu-
rope up to noon today. From the fact
reported from Madrid that Commodore
Dewey had opened communication with
the British consul at Manila. it is ex
nrtc 9th
those of the Spanish character will
come from British sources
1t is understood that the British con-
sui at Manila, Mr.. Rawson- Walker.
has assumed charge of American inter-
ests in the Philippines, and, under such
circumstances, he is at present charged
with the important duty of protecting
the lives of the Americans on shore
at Manila ard elsewhere
1T is believed that Commodore Dewey
Will give his first attention to looking
after these Americans ashore.
English Cables.
The cable from Manila, it is learned.
is British and not a Spanish cable,
have charge Of the cable station. While
they would be subject to Spanish CEN
sorship, yet there is no doubt that the
British ownership would ensure a more
prompt and unprejudiced transmission
of official and unofficial reports than
If 1t were not a British cable. The
cable goes to Hong Kong and thence
by way of Alden and the Red sea to
continental Europe and London.
Leading diplomats say no step to-
ward European Intervention is likely
to be fastened by this disaster Of
Spain. 1t is looked upon simply as
war reverse, which cannot be turned
into political channels by Spanish ap-
peals to the great powers This is the
view, alike in British, French and
German quarters. 1t was rather ex-
pected from the British, but it is none
the less apparent among French and
German officials, who regard the time
for mediation or Intervention as past.
One Of the members of the diplo-
matte corps said grave fears were en-
tertained Of the effect Of the reverse
at Madrid. The government there is
threatened on two sides, one the Car
lists, the other the republicans HUI
initiation over the defeat naturally will
find expression against the Sagasta
regime and the throne itself Whether
the authorities will be able to resist
popular indignation is much doubted
by those conversant with affairs at
Madrid. Today's cable advices, that
martial law may be proclaimed. bore
out the view of diplomats as to the
gravity of affairs.