Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-05-03
THE FIRST VICTORY.

He not only wins great victory from
But shows TO the world he remembered
And when Montjo's report, corrected,
The Dons will find out what they did to
him.
Three cheers for Dewey, three cheers for
Three cheers for the Jackies who did
things so neat.
Hurrah for OLD GLORY how proud she
does wave
Ger the land of the free and the home
OF the brave
Wheeling, ". Va, May 3, 1898.
The local excitement and interest
over and in the naval victory for the
American fleet at Manila was very
great yesterday, and the demand for
news was greater and more persistent
than for quarter of a century. In
addition to the account published in the
morning paper, the Register bulletined
dozens of dispatches during the day.
and the Office was always surrounded
by an excited throng, which kept its
place from early morning until far into
the night. 1t was apparent from the
outset that the Americans had won
the greatest naval victory since Ira
falgar, and the rejoicing was general
and sincere. Details of the American
losses were persistently enquired for.
but owing to the peculiar circum-
stances governing the battle this de-
mand could not be met, and the facts
will not be available before tomorrow.
and possibly day later. All tele-
grams from our fleet, under the condi-
tons prevailing at the Philippines
must be sent by a dispatch boat 10
Hong Kong, which is six hundred and
twenty-eight miles away, and thence
telegraphed. Assuming that a dispatch
boat left Manila Immediately after the
battle of Sunday, it would scarcely
reach Hong Kong before tomorrow.
and the boat may not have left until
yesterday. The true facts from the
American side will come in aue course,
and then the victory can be properly
estimated.
The tidings Of our success caused a
decided disposition to fly flags. all
over the city, yesterday morning, and
during the day the display Of bunting
was very noticeable. Many large and
fine flags were flying from business
houses and factories. while in consid-
cradle number Of instances where flags
could not be displayed from staffs. thev
were draped in show windows or 9th
erwise conspicuously exhibited. Good
as the showing was yesterday. il should
be made better to-day, and every one
possessing flag should give it to the
breeze. 1t has been many a long dav
since there was so good a cause for the
display of the national emblem. and the
opportunity should be improved to the
utmost. Display the flags to-day, and
keep them out
LIEUTENANT BLAKELEY.
Yesterday a private letter was re-
ceived in this city from Lieutenant
J. Y R. Blakeley. late on duty at the
Mnsly Institute, Of this city, which gave
some interesting details of the expert
ences OF the Lieutenant since he left
this city. Originally assigned to the
auxiliary cruiser Yankee, Lieutenant
Blakeley is now on the collier Merri-
mac. which ship is armed with two
six-inch guns. The Merrimac left
Hampton Roads Sunday morning for
Key West with coal for the feet. and
the trip will require about four DAYS.
Lieutenant Blakeley referred feelingly
to the good luck OF some of the ships
in capturing Spanish prizes, notably
the case Of the monitor Terror. which
took single prize which will net able
seamen $1,000 each, to say nothing of
what the officers will get, and he ex-
pressed the fervid wish that the ship
he is on might connect with something
which could be handled The Lieuten
ant sent his regards to all his Wheeling
friends.