The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-05-02


with great joy the news of the victory.
Their satisfaction that the defeat of the
Spanish had been overwhelming was
strengthened by reason of the news coming
almost wholly from Madrid. and they we're
unreserved IN expressing their qualification
upon the signal triumph of the American
forces.
AT the army aud navy club a large com
pany was gathered and read and comment
ed upon the story of the engagement as Il
was presented in the bulletins of the As
sociated Press Al the club down town,
at their homes and wherever seen. the Of
hcers We're free in giving vent to the pleas
ure they felt at the news and declaring the
confidence which they had entertained
throughout that the American ships. their
officers and men, would demonstrate their
superiority over the Spanish fleet In the
Philippine waters.
The absence OF any statement of specific
injury TO the American vessels in the
Madrid advices was construed as convinc-
ing indication that they had not suffered
appreclable injury, and this was especially
pleasing to the naval students of the
news. Not only was the preservation of
the American ships and men considered
in itself a happy outcome, but II was COM
mented on as Indicating clearly that Ad-
miral Dewey and his associate officers
and the men under their command had
discharged splendidly their several duties
IN directing and executing the fight.
In this connection, II was pointed out as
little less than marvellous that the Ameri-
can squadron escaped without severe in
jury, because, Notwithstanding the dispar-
ity in tho naval forces the Spanish fleet.
assisted by the shore batteries, should have
been able to inhlct severe damage to its
o., b.I 10 all
ure to do SO was explicable only upon the
hypothesis of perfect and swift work by
the Americans.
An opinion freely expressed tonight by
naval officers is that the very decisive VIC
tory of Admiral Deweys feet will mean
probably an early end of the war without
further naval battles of Importance The
American fleet, 1t Is suggested. Is now SUI
preme in the waters of Spain's Pacific
possessions, and indications We're strongly
towards the slipping of the Philippines
from her control. II was said that only
by quickly yielding to our demands In
Cuba could this loss possibly be averted.
SPAIN II was argued, was confronted
with situation which promised
naught save disaster IN case she
elected 10 force more hghtin@ The su-
periority OF a superior feet has been de-
monstrated In the Pacific, and the same,
It is contended. would be inevitable In the
Atlantic Ia case the clash comes.
From whatever point of view considered,
the policy OF more fighting upon the part
of Spain, promises nothing but more Span
ish misfortune. Navy officers think this
view must prevail with the Spanish gov
erument and believe an end Of the war
upon the basis of Cuban Independence is
TO follow soon, and that, too, without
further notable opportunity for the Ameri-
can navy to prove It's power and distin-
guish itself
Judge McComas, senator-eiect from
Maryland, after expressing his Joy over
the result of the conflict, struch a key
note of the expected result of the cam
nonading az Manila, when he said' that
It was likely to have a tremendous effect
not only IN Spain, but throughout Europe.
He expressed the belief that II would turn
the tide Of European sentiment towards
the United States.
The idea advanced by Judge McComas
was expressed by others tonight It 81
regarded by some as likely that the deci-
sive victory gained by Admiral Dewey Il
squadron may open the eyes of Spain to
the seriousness of the conflict upon which
she has entered In official circles II IS re-
gaTded as almost certain that trouble OF
most critical kind win confront the Sa-
EHEiA government NiNHiif SPAN y own DDi-
ders. 1t Is pointed out that the Spanish
people have been led to believe that their
navy was invincbe and the bitter dlsap-
pointment that win ensue over the result
Of the first engagement OF the war IL like
ly 10 precipitate internal dssenslon, II nol
a revolution
Another result OF Admiral Dewey's vic
tory, II is thought, may be action OH the
part of the powers Of Europe to induce
Spain to abandon what Is regarded as a
hopeless contest for her. Representations
may be made to Spain that she would
better rellnquish her hold upon Cuba thar
to risk losing all Of her West Indian pos
sessions and the Philippines as well. II Is
believed 10 be not unlikely that the rep
res0ntatloes will Indicate that since Span
ish honor has been satisfied by a conflict
Spain can now yield to the inevitable and
accept the good offices of tho powers tc
bring about an adjustment.
In the dispatches from Madrid the state
ment was made that Admiral Dewey ef
fected landing on the west side OF Ma
! Mia Bay for the men OF his fleet who Were
wounded in the engagements. II was sug
gested in official circles that this landing
has a two-fod purpose. II was not onlJ
that the wounded might have better care
than they could receive on shipboard, II
the face OF other probable engagements
but also 10 carry out what was known tC
be Admiral Deweys purpose to effect
| junction with the insurgents as soon al
! possible
4 The insurgent forces surround Manila oi
| the land sides Of the city, aud with tn
| intention OF securing control Of Manila al
J soon az possible, Admiral Dewey was 4
( obtain q footing on the Island at the EARL
| est practicable moment. As soon as tn
| junction Of the American and insurgen
! forces the one on sea, the other ON land
| ls effected, a demand IS likely to be mad
! for the surrender OF the city, and In tn
! event OF a refusal a onbined attacl
\ would be made upon IT, The result 0
/ such an attack. IN the absence OF a Span
ish fleet and effective shore batteries
seems foregone conclusion,
No news OF definite character Is givei
| concerning the losses sustained by Ad
rniral Deweys squadron and II Is scared,
| likely In the opinion OF the experts of tn
! navy that authentic information will b.
received until Admiral Dewey has op
| portunlty to communicate officially will
| the department. Il Is regarded az proba
| bic that Immediately after the engagement
! to-day Admiral Dewey sent the reyenu
| cutter McCulloch back to Hong Kont
| with dispatches, and that the first infhrm
/ 4,