Evening journal., 1898-05-06
NO FEAR FOR HIS SAFETY
Secretary Long Expects News Of
Complete Victory.
SAMPSON NOT TO MEET OREGON.
spaniards Would Not Dare Risk Hunting
the Battieship-It Is believed That
the Cape Verde Fleet Has
Turned Back To Cadiz.

the Cape Verde Fleet Has
Turned Back to Cadiz.
WASHINGTON. May 6-secretary
Long said at the close Of Office hours
yesterday that up to that time he had
received no word from Commodore
Dewey. He added. however, that he
felt no apprehension over this lack Of
good news. because in the first place re-
ports were not expected with the cable
from Manila cut. and furthermore no
fears We're entertained as to Commo-
dore Dewey's ability TO maintain his
position. There was no doubt, the sec
retary said, that Commodore Dewey's
fleet had annihilated the Spanish fleet,
and with this much accomplished Dew
ey was master OF the situation at Ma
nila- II was suggested to Mr. Long
that the shore batteries at Cavite and
on Corregidor island might be a se-
rious menace TO the American fleet,
but the secretary did not share this
view, holding that the strength of the
Olympia and other ships in Dewey's
command was ample TO make him mas
ter Of Manila bay and its surroundings.
The department is taking steps 10
render effective aid TO the commodore
In the matter Of supplies and a con-
structor Of high ability is to go out at
once TO repair the damages sustained
IN the battle OF Manila. Preparation
for a suitable convoy for the supply
ships was also indicated by the choice
OF commander and officers for the
cruiser Charleston. now at Mare Island.
II Is recalled at the navy department
In this connection that having received
the surrender Of Manila the commo-
dore would be able TO secure any guam
tty OF labor and such material as a
maritime city like Manila affords for
the repair OF his ships. He also would
be able to place his wounded In COM
fort in some one of the Manila hos
pitfalls or other public buildings. It is
always the desire OF a prudent naval
commander 10 get his wounded ashore
at the earliest possible opportunity, as
they stand better chances Of recovery.
No news could be CLEANED at the navy
department relative TO the movements
of Admiral SIMPSONS battleships, but
from the confident tone Of the few ofil-
cials who are acquainted with the poll
cy Of the department they are expect
ing to hear very soon of news from his
squadron almost ms interesting and inn
portant as that received from the Phil
ippines last Sunday. high officer OF
Ant h4ilAAAANAAdAANA NtHNtIuaN uAAllhnA ut~
molished the theory that Admiral
Sampson was going to succor the Ore
gon. now on her way from Brazil to
Join the north Atlantic squadron He
declared that the navy department was
under no apprehension about the ore
gon, for the reason that Il did not con-
slider that the Spanish admiral of the
Cape Verde squadron would be will
Ing to risk a combat with the Oregon
even with the great odds In his favor.
as even II overwhelmed in the end the
Oregon would certainly destroy one of
the Spanish ships and perhaps two, and
the Spanish government could not af-
ford to exchange pawns az this stage OF
the war; That left open as possible
points of operations for Sampson either
Puerto Rico or some port on the Cuban
coast But just which theory Is to be
accepted Is not even limited at by the
departmental officials.
Notice came TO the state department
from Brazil yesterday that that gov
ernment had declared neutrality. There
is now no cause TO regret such action on
the part Of Brazil. for. however bene-
hcial the delay has BEEN TO the United
States In getting its warships safely
along the Brazilian coast. the Issue Of
the proclamation just now Is likely to
be still more beneficial in closing Bra
lillian ports 10 the Spanish flying SQUAD
ron II IL should be headed IN that di-
rection. 1t may be noted. however.
that while the first reports were re-
ceived with little credit the advices
coming TO the navy department yester-
day though not conclusive. inclined the
officers 20 the belief that the Spanish
nying squadron really has turned back
from Cape Verde to consolidate with
the home squadron at Cadlz.
Great pressure is being brought 10
bear upon the war department to secure
appointments To second lieutenancies
authorized by the recently enacted HIM
bill. The list OF applicants includes
many bright young men, for the regula-
tion requires them to be under 20
Among them are former students at
West Point, newspaper men and others
with political influence back Of them
The navy department will shin 200 600
pounds Of powder to Commodore Dew
ey TO add TO the stock he now has left
This will he made up of about 60 Ooo
pounds Of the grade used for g inch
guns. 10000 pounds for the 6 inch guns
$4,000 pounds for the inch guns and
lesser amounts for other classes Of guns.
This, with the large number of s inch
armor piercing projectiles. shells and
inch and inch rifle balls viii mako
the shipment of ammunition a very
large one. The powder and shot to-
gether win give 500 rounds for the big
guns and several thousand rounds for
the rapid fire rifles.