Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1898-05-02

: convincing tndfesttpn that thew t.a
not suffered apprecable iud1srV nnI
TINS was especially pleasing ao ihS, nc ~
val Students OF the news Mot onI IN,
was Cle preservation OF the American
ships and men considered. dn ffaarf q
heppy outcome. but it was commenfed
upon as indicating clearly that Admirai
Dewey and his associate officers and
the men under their commend had die
charged splenddly their several duties
IN directing and executing the fight. In
this connection it was pointed out as
little less than marvellous that the
American squadron escaped without
severe INJURY. because, notwithstand-
ing the disparity in the naval forces,
the Spanish fleet, assisted by the shore
batteries, should have been able to in
fiict severe damage to it's foe before it
self being destroyed. Its failure to do
so was explicable only upon the ny
pothests Of perfect and swift work by
the Americans.
An opinion freely expressed tonight
by naval officers is that the very de-
cisive victory of Admiral Deweys
fleet will mean probably an early end
to the war, without further naval bat
ties OF importance. The American
Meet; 1t Is suggested, is now supreme
in the waters OF Spain's pacific pos
sessions and indications were strongly
toward the slipping OF the Philippines
from her control. 1t was said that
only by quickly yielding to our de-
mands in Cuba could this loss possibly
confronted with q. situation which
promised naught, save disaster in
case she elected to force more fighting
The superiority Of a superior fleet has
been demonstrated In the Pacific, and
the same, it is contended, would be in
evitable In the Atlantic In case the
clash comes. From whatever point Of
view considered. the policy Of more
fighting upon the part of Spain prom
ised nothing but more Spanish misfor-
tune. Navy officers think this view
must prevail with the Spanish gov
eminent and believe an end of the
war. upon the basis of Cuban indie
pendence. is to follow soon, and that.
too. without further notable oppcrtu-
nifty for the American navy to prove
Its power and distinguish itself.
Judge McComas, Senator-elect from
over the result of the conflict. struck a
Keynote of the expected result of the
cannonading at Manila when he said it
was likely to have q tremendous ef-
feet. not only in Spain, but through
out Europe. He expressed the belief
that 1T would turn the tide of Euro
pean sentiment towards the United
States.
The idea advanced by Judge Nc
Comas was expressed by others to-
Gomas was expressed by others tonight.
1t Is regarded by some as likely that
the decisive victory gained b. Admiral
DeWey's squadron may open the eyes
Of Spain to the seriousness Of the con-
fiict upon which she has entered. In
official circles it is regarded as almost
certain that trouble of most critical
Kind will confront the Sagasta gov
eminent within Spain's own borders
It is pointed out that the Spanish peo-
pie have been led to believe that their
navy was invincible. and the bitter
disappointment thatwill ensue over the
result OF the first engagement Of the
war Is likely to precipitate internal
dlssention If not a revolution.
Another result of Admiral Deweys
victory. it is thought. may be action
on the part of the powers Of Europe
10 lnduce Spain to abandon what is re-
garded as hopeless contest for her.
Representations may be made to Spain
that she would better relinquish her
hold upon Cuba than to risk losing all
or her West Indian possessions and
the Philippines as we'll. 1t is believed
to be not unlikely that the representa-
tfons will indicate that. since Spanish
honor hap been satisfied by q conflict.
spain can now yield to the inevitable
and accept the good Offices Of the pow
ers to bring about an adjustment.
In the dispatches from Madrid the
statement was made that Admiral
DeWey effected a landing on the west
SIDE OF Manila Bay for the men OF his
fleet who were wounded in the en-
gagement. 1t was suggested in Off
cial circles that this landing had a
two-fold purpose. 1t was not only thar
the wounded might have better care
than they could receive on ship board
IN the race OF other probable engage