New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-04
AWAITING NEWS FROM DEWEY
ADTICES EXPECTED TO-DA Y.
NEED OF AN AMERICAN ARMY TO HOLD
THE PHILIPPINES ACKNOWLEDGED.
TALK OF SELLING THE ISLANDS PREMATURE
WAR PLANS IN THE ATLANTIC REQUIRE
CAUTIOUS INACTION- THE SPANISH
FLEET MAY Re HEADED FOR
THE OREGON.
THE OREGON.
rRY TrLrGrArH TO THE TRIBUNE !

THE OREGON.
Try TrLEGrAPH TO THE TRIBUNE
Washington. May 3.-Plans for reinforcing
the Asatc Squadron off Manila and for AS
sumng military control Of the Philippines were
considered to-day in some detail by the frcs-
idcnt and his advisers. but the decision was
reached 10 start no expedition from the Pacific
Coast until official reports disclosing the he'eS-
Stiles of the situation in the Far East had been
received from Commodore Dewey Such ad-
vices are expected 10 reach Washington WITH
in the next twcnty-four hours indeed, 1t is not
improbable that they will arrive late tonight
or early tomorrow morning. II is apparent
that no genuine cable dispatches have come
from Manila since the day of the battle, ana
the cable company's officials I'm Hong Kong
have publicly announced break in It's sub
marine lines which can scarcely be repaired
for fortnight.
The naval authorities here are confident that
Commodore Dewey. on aSccrtalning that com
municat'on by cable had been cut Off. ut one"
dispatched the revenue cutter McCulioch or one
Of his two unarmcd transport steamers TO Hong
Kong with an official report of the engage
ment off Manila and request for further IN
structionS from Washington As the distance
70 be covered by the dispatch-boat IS only about
coo miles, the journey could easily be accom-
plishcd In from fifty to sixty hours. and, with
difference In time of eleven hours in favor ~
this country. il Is thought that n definite aur
intcllgible account of the operations against
Manila and n satisfactory statement Of the con-
diton and needs Of the American squadron
should he in the hands Of The Administration
with little additional delay.
The steps 10 be taken 10 reinforce the feet
L. ON
the nature and contents Of Commodore Dewey's
report. As has already been stated In these
DISPATCHES. The cruiser Charleston s now prac-
iically ready for sea AZ san Franc''co' and
can be started for Hong Kong on two or three
days notice The Philadelphia. now lying at
the Mare Island Navy Yard. can also b. put IN
condition in week or two for n cruise across
the Pacific. and enough transports can be pur-
chased or chartered at on" NJ san Francisco
10 carry an army of from 5000 20 10000 men
10 the philippines.
Az AMERICAN FORCE NECESSARY
That sucn force VIII have 20 be sort 70
Manila 10 establish American authority and
maintain civil order In The captured Spanish
colony seem, io he fully accepted 10y the Pres
dcnt and his advisors Few II th" regular
troons now on the Pacific Coast can b" spared
for service In the Ear East, bur enough volun-
tccrs from the slope anl Rocky Mountain states
could easily bee assembled In san Francisco
10 swell the strength of Tie army ~ ocrnpa-
ton 10 more than loWp men II mas been
suggested here that General Fi'zhueh Loo. Who
IS 70 be nominated tomorrow As MaiorGer-
cral ~ Volunteers. may De- selected - COM
nanl Tie expedition - the Philippines and IN
arrival there 10 assume thr Junction., of mill
f1ry covcruar. 80 special d,l ulty VIII Dee en-
countorcd ID Transporting an American army
10 Manila. for tho Pacific ha- now been abso-
lntcly swept - Spanish mcnof war
Much cNIrayagant and fancful speculation
las alrcadY been indulg"d IN rs 10 the future
Of the Philippines II is clear that the United
States must occupy and hold 'hc islands while
the war with SPAN lasis and cannot consist
emily with It's obligations 10 other naions con
fcut itself with "A mere contIol Of Manlla llnr-
bor leaving the rest Of III" cOiOay = prey 10 the
native INSURGENTS. With American possession
Grmly assured and civil order and commercial
Intercourse with the rest Of the world re-estab-
lishcd the problem Of disroslng eventually Of
the captured colony may well bc loft 10 future
considerations Talk. certainly. Of selling the
islands 10 this Power or that can only excite
suspclons ana jcaousics In EUROPE. and should
be discouraged as both premature and harm
full.