The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-05-06

Washington, May 1T is a curious
fact that the nation most directly in
terested Of all the great powers in the
combat that took place at Manila yes
terday should be among the last Of
ficially to know Of the result. Up to
the close of office hours today absolute
ly the only information that our gov
eminent had received Of the brilliant
victory of Admiral Dewey at Manil
on May Day came to the government
through the medium of the Press dis
patches.
If the report is true that Commodore
Dewey has begun a bombardment and
blockade of the city Of Manila it is
unlikely that he can spare a vessel
from his fleet to carry the news to
Hong Kong, the nearest cable station,
SO it is not known when official advices
will come. There vas some expecta-
ton that through the surrender of the
city the commodore might acquire con-
troll of the cable, but even then there
might be practical difficulties in COM
municating through it.
HEAVY LOSSES FEARED.
The greatest anxiety is felt as to the
casualties sustained by the American
fleet. From the stubborn defense made
by the SpaniardS it is feared that be-
fore they burned, blew up or sunk their
ships they managed to infict severe
damage upon Commodore Dewey's
squadron. All of the ships engaged
were vulnerable in one respect, namely,
in their lack of protection to life. There
was not an armOred ship in COmmO-
dore Dewey's fleet, the nearest ap-
prOach being the flagship Olympia. She
has some coal protection around the
sides and an arch steel deck calculat-
ed to protect the vitals of the ship. The
other vessels Of the fleet, save those re-
Gently added to the navy, like the Nc
CullOch nave lighter steel decks Of this
character, but in all cases, with the
exception of some slight protection in
the shape of gun shields, the personnel
of the ships was exposed to the fire of
the enemy.
If Commodore Dewey has lost a con-
siderable portion of his men it is feare
ne will be much embarrassed in the
work of maintaining possession of Ma
Mia for lack of sufficient force. There
was some talk his afternoon of send
ing troops out from San Francisco to
aid in this work, but this has not yet
taken shape, as far as can be learned
and it is likely that the department
will wait to hear from Commodore
Dewey himself before taking any ac-
ton. 1t may be, and in fact, it is ex-
pected that by combination with the
insurgents, he will succeed in having
his men relieved of the task of garri-
sOning Manila.
THE FUTURE OF THE PHILIP
!eA PINES.
AS to the future of the Islands, it is
likely that the government will retain
possession of at least one good port,
such as Manila, for a cOaling station
and base of supplies during the re-
mainder of the war. It is believed the
officials have not decided what to do
with the islands at the end of the war,
but in their possession the United
States will enjoy a perfect Weapon in
enforcing terms of peace with Spain.
Supposing Porto Rico shall next be
seized it would seem that Spain Will
have little to encourage her in further
resistance, particularly as the fall OF
Porto Rico would mean the loss to her
of her iron-clad fleet should it cross
the Atlanti
There is no talk yet of European in
tervention, but one of the most beneh-
cial results of Commodore Dewey's vic
tory yesterday is that a deep impress
. sion has been made upon the European
4 powers who can now no longer afford
! to blind themselves to the fact that
man to man the American navy is
equal to any in the world The inn
.pression produced is likely to deter the
European powers from hasty interview
stion and the present indications are
THAT we shall be left to settle our af-
fairs with Spain at u own pleasure,
ALWAYS providing we do not get involv-
ed in the eastern question through OBJ
Mtaining possession of the Philippines.
& IT &c nntirn1U n0SClhlp that tOmTnO-
41ore Dewey may secure his promotion
Ito the rank of admiral through the
splendid exhibition of pluck, discretion
and sailor qualities he made in yester-
= days engagement. The naval law,
does not permit of promotion
Except by seniority, SO that it will prob
7ably be requisite for congress to pass
"a special resolution, such as was done
in the case of Commodore Melville, to
afford him his we'll earned promotion.
NORTH CAROLINA NAVAL RE-
SERVES.
The naval militia of the country is
fastening to extend it's aid to the gov
rnment. Commander Morton, of the
orth Carolina militia, called at the
department today and succeeded in
I|aving the department change its or
n made in the case of the monitor
antucket so as to allow the North
hTOl1nd Wllltld lnSledu u the u1iiitld
II South Carolina to take that monitor
LON Wilmington to Port Royal.
"a Flags were displayed today for the
first time in many months from the
affsaof state, war and navy depart
ut buildings, and on the east front
the huge garrison a flag foated, all
honor of the victory of the Ameri-
In fleet at Manila yesterday .
THE war department is bending all its
ergies to the mastering in of the
#5luneers and the recruiting Of the
yular army to it's full war strength
81 81 200 men. These matters are we'll
under way and the officials feel conf
dent that within a reasonable time
ssbothf the volunteer and tht regular ar
r,nies will be ready for practical mill
tary duty. In a few days all the troops
that have been ordered to Tampa are
oxnected to reach that place and the