Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 19, Number 68, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 May 1898 — JOY AT WASHINGTON [ARTICLE]

JOY AT WASHINGTON

People Express Their Delight at N<jws from Manila. BELIEVE A GREAT VICTORY WAS WON President McKinley, His Cabinet and Army mid Naval Officials Gratified at Admiral Dewey’s Success, Uut Are Reticent. Washington, May 2.—Washington is rejoiced. Not since the dark days of the great civii conflict of a third of a century ago have the people of this city been so profoundly moved by war news as they were Sunday evening. The first battle of (he Ilispano-American war has been fought and victory lies with Admiral Dev. ey’s squadron under the stars and stripes; That was enough to set the people of Washington almost in a frenzy of enthusiastic rejoicing. For days they, in common with the people throughout the country, have been awaiting news from the Philippine islands, ns everything pointed to a battle at Manila that « might be a decisive conflict of the war. When the news came indicating a great victory for the American squadron the -enthusiasm of the people was let loose and the streets of the city rang with cheers all night. Great Display of Feellnjr. The first news of the battle received in Washington came in a brief cablegram from Madrid about eight o’clock Sunday evening. As the night wore on the cable continued to sing the news of victory for the squadron of Admiral Dewey and the interest grew 'into tremendous excitement. Ordinarily Washington is the quietest of cities on Sunday, but as bulletin after bulletin was posted in front of the newspaper offices, each successive one conveying information more gratifying than its pred Hsor, the crowds in the streets became uproarious. Good as well as bad news spread rapidly, and by ten o’clock the streets were crowded with people, all discussing the one exciting tcpic of the hour. Hundreds gathered in iVont of the bulletin boards and greedily caught every scintilla of news, and it was received with enthusiastic cheers. While victory had been expected, the news of it —coming as it did from Spanish sources —gave vent to the patriotism of the people, which has been pent up for days. It was a spontaneous outburst of patriotic feeling that scarcely knew bounds. Admiral Dewey’s name was on every lip and his praises were sung in the rejoicings of the people. President Reticent, Thus far no official advices have been received bj' the government, but press dispatches were transmitted to the president and officials of the administration as rapidly as they were received. The president,,in company with several 1 of his advisers, read the bulletins in the library of the white house early in the evening, but later in the night he went to his office on the second floor of the executive mansion where, until a late hour, he continued to peruse every dispatch with deepest interest. The news was evidently of the most gratifying character to him, but no statement could be obtnined at the executive mansion concerning the battle or its possible consequences. Officials of the navy department were reticent in discussing the conflict, in the absence of officinl information, hut they made no pretense of concealing their great gratification. Secretary Long declined to comment upon the subject, but It was evident that he felt relieved. It has been known for days at the navy department that a conflict nt Manila was inevitable, and while no great fear of the result was expressed, there was yet a deep concern in the heart of every official. The news removes a great weight from the minds of all.

Cull* It n Glorious Vlplnry. Secretary Alger declared that It was n “glorious victory,” but, in common with other offU-inls of the administration, detained to make extended comment upon it. The absence of any statement of specific injury to the American vessels in the Madrid advices was construed as convincinp indication that they had not suffered appreciable injury, and this was especially pleaslnp to the naval students of the news. Not only was the preservation of the American ships nnd men considered in itself a happy outcome, but was comment"d upon as indicatinp that Admiral Dewey nnd his associate officers nnd the men under their command had dischnrpi 1 splendidly their several duties in directing and executing the fight. HquiMlron'a (irmt Work. In this connection it was pointed out ns little less than marvelous that the American squadron escaped without severe injury, because, notwithstanding the disparity in the naval forces, the Spanish fleet, assisted by the shore batteries, should have been able to inflict severe damage to its foe before itself being destroyed. Its failure to do so was explicable only upon the hypothesis of perfect nnd swift work by the Americans. Predict Early End of the War. An opinion freely expressed by naval officers is that the very decisive victory of Admiral Dewey’s fleet will mean probably an early end to the war, without further naval battles of importance. The American fleet, it is suggested, is now supreme in the waters of Spain’s Pacific possession, and indications were strongly .towards the slipping of the Philippines from her control. It was said that only by quickly yielding to our demands in Cuba could this lors possibly be averted. Spain, it was argued, was confronted with a situation which promised naught save disaster in case she elected to force more lighting. The superiority of a superior fleet has been demonstrated in the Pacific, and

the same, it is contended, would be inevitable in the Atlantic in case the clash comes. From whatever point of view considered', the policy of more fighting upon the part of Spain promises nothing but more Spanish misfortune. Navy officers think this view must prevail with the Spanish government, End believe an end of the war, upon the basis of Cuban independence, 1 ,is to follow soon, and that, too, without further notable opportunity for the American navy to prove its power ahd distinguish itself. Tronble Ahead for Saeaxtn. It is regarded by some as likely that the decisive victory gained by Admiral Dewey’s squadron may open the eyes of Spain to the seriousness of the conflict upon which she has entered. In official circles it is regarded as almost certain that trouble of a most critical kind will confront the Sagasta government within Spain’s own borders. It is pointed out that the Spanish people have been led to believe that their navy was invincible, and the bitter disappointment that Will ensue over the result of the first engagement of the war is likely to precipitate internal dissension, if not a revolution. Another result of Admiral Dewey’s victory, it is thought, may be action on 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 relinquish her hold upon Cuba than to risk losing all of her West Indian possessions and the Philippines as well. It is believed to be not unlikely that the representations will indicate that, since Spanish honor has been satisfied by a conflict, Spain can now yield to the Inevitable and accept the good offices of the powers to bring about an adjustment. Malt Wait for Definite Hem. No news of a definite character is given concerning the loss sustained by Admiral Dewey’s squadron, and it is scarcely likely, In the opinion of experts of the navy, that authentic information will be received until Admiral Dewey has opportunity to communicate officially with the department. It is regarded as probable that immediately after the engagements of Sunday Admiral Dewey sent the revenue cutter McCulloch back to Hong Kong with dispatches, and that the first Information from him will come from that point. The distance from Manila to Hong Kong is a trifle over 600 miles, and it will take the McCulloch about two days to make the trip.