Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-05-01
May /, 1S98-1oO3.

Five wears ago today Admiral Dewey,
then commodore, sailed into Manila bay
and delivered the first stroke of the war
between the United States and Spain He
had been forced to leave Hong Kong be-
cause that neutral port was no longer open
to him. He could sail home across the
Pacific or he might violate the interna-
tional code by taking refuge at Honolulu
where he was certain of welcome But
under orders from the Navy Department
he chose the most direct course OF proce-
'dure. the most aggressive, the safest. he
lwent directly toward the enemy. found him
lin his eastern headquarters and engaged
him in battle with results which estab-
llished a new record for all the world IN
naval warfare. Complete demolition Of the
ienemys entire fleet. the silencing of his
Hand batteries, the killing OF 61S of his men
land the wounding of many hundreds in
addition constituting the immediate total
of casualties on the one side, while on the
other was the wounding of eight Of the
crew of the Baltimore. none seriously. On
the Spanish side were general ineff1ciency
and unpreparedness. on the American high
efficiency and complete readiness.
I Considering all the factors the battle OF
May l. 1898, was a notable victory for the
tAmerican arms. Operating thousands OF
miles from home, with no chance OF secur-
ing reinforcements for several weeks, 1t re-
quired the utmost pluck, even reckoning the
tSpanish naval forces as much inferior to
THE American, to enter q situation so
hazardous and to brave In unarmored ships
land defenses and torpedoes Of which the
strength and effectiveness had been widely
heralded.
Today, five years from the first stroke of
the war which placed the United States IN
possession of the Philippines, the American
sovereignty there is undisputed practically
throughout the archipelago. stubborn
war of pacifcation, precipitated by mis-
guided natives and fomented by their false
friends and advisers in the United States,
has been successfully waged. Civil admin
.istration has been substituted for the mill
itary government which marked and fol-
lowed the occupation and pacification Of
the islands Material progress has been
made toward the permanent settlement Of
the vital issue Of the status of the frfars
and the substitution for them of priests
who will contribute to the prosperity OF the
people and strengthen both church and
state in the islands. Great advances have
been scored in the establishment of schools.
The people are rapidly approaching their
opportunities. They are finding wider fields
for their own endeavors, and are being
rapidly equipped with means to improve
themselves.
This is wonderful work, more wonder
full in its way than even the almost blood
less victory scored by Dewey five years
ago today. That was forerunner, it is be-
lieved by the best friends of the Philip
pines. of the completeness with which the
American sovereignty will be established in
the islands. The work of civil government
Is being done in a manner to insure that
the foundations are strongly laid and the
superstructure of American sovereignty
erected in substantial and enduring man.
ner.. Today Governor Taft stands for the
same principle of American efficiency that
was represented by George Dewey when he
advanced upon the enemy and delivered
one of the most crushing blows recorded in
history