Evening star., 1898-05-02
WHAT WAS EXPECTED
Joy at the Navy Department Over
the Victory.
WHAT Com. DEWEY SET OUT TO Do
Has Completely Succeeded in
His Undertaking.
NAVAL COMMANDERS NAMED
NAVAL COMMANDERS NAMED

Joy beamod on every countenance at the
Navy Department this morning and the
officials exchanged enthusiastic congratu-
lations on Commodore Dewey's victory as
they entered the department to take up
their daily tasks. Many CT the officers were
tired and worn to the verge of nervous
prostration by the exhausting labors of
the last few weeks, but all fatigue was for
gotten fer the moment as they stopped to
talk of the battle of Manila, as this en-
gagement is destined to be known. There
was anxious inquiry from all sources for
some kind of Lews of the details of the
fight. 1t was realized by the officials that
nothing could be expected directly from
Commodore Dewey in the usual course fo-
at least two days more. There was how
ever, possibility, which was magnified
by expectant minds here into a probability
that some information at least more re-
liable and freer from color than that which
comes from Madrid might be Forthcoming
through the British foreign Office. While
the Spanish government in the case of an
emergency might take absolute possession
of the cable at Manila 1t is not customary
to deny access to it to the diplomatic and
consular officials of neutral governments.
The report that the British consul gem
conflict with Commodore Dewey indicates
clearly that he is at least in possession
of the American story of the naval battle
and has probably been acquainted with the
extent of the loss suffered by the American
ships 1t is not doubted that if the oppor-
tunity Offers the consular officer will
promptly communicate the facts to his
home government. and it is just possible
that he has been requested by Commodore
Dewey to see to it that brief and fair
statement of the facts is transmitted to
the United States government.
The conviction is growing in the State
and Navy Departments that the accounts
which have so far been received of engage
| ments greatly minimize the achievements
| of the American fleet. A careful reading of
the dispatches, even those from Spanish
sources, seems to warrant an assumption
| that Commodore Dewey has succeeded
| completely in his undertaking and has ac-
compitshed everything that was expected
| OF him and included in his orders.
1t is noticed that in one sentence the re-
port speaks of the commodore landing his
wounded. This is regarded as "a very sig
nlf1cant statement. 1t Is not supposed for
an instant that the admiral abandoned his
wounded to the enemy, and the only sane
inference that can be drawn Is that he
placed them In proper shelter ON shore TN
der guard from the United States fleet.
and is prepared to protect with the guns of
the fleet the landing place. Thus it ap-
pears that Commodore Dewey has crushed
the Spanish feet, the prime object of his
expedition, and relieved American COM
n-crce in the Pacific from the dread of cap-
ture. while in addition he has placed his
feet on Spanish soil and holds position
ashore which may be developed into d base
of supplies for his fleet which will thus
have found a legitimate home
Bonn mbn rdment of Manila,
1t was said at the Navy Department that
1t was not the purpose of Commodore