Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-05-05
THE DEWEY REPORT
Navy Department officials Indignant
at False Publications.
HAVE NOT SUPPRESSED THE NEWS
Speculation Regarding Movement
Of Simpsons Fleet.
MR.. ROOSEVELT'S DEPARTURE

ANds DSpdi tiiiCllt CIllIidlS tut III
dignant at the published stories that
the department had received reports
from Commodore Dewey telling OF
great mortality in his fleet during the
recent fight. Secretary Long an
nounced that he would give out the
report as soon as he receives it.
No confirmation can be obtained
of the various rumors regarding
movements of Admiral SIMPSONS
feet
Recruiting for the navy is reported
to be going on briskly.
The supply steamship Illinois will
be called the Supply.
A Russian diplomat denies that
Russia is disturbed at the idea of the
United States acquiring the Philip
pines, and intends to intervene.
Captain Glass has been assigned
to command the Charleston.
The President is not alarmed at
the delay in hearing from Commo-
dore Dewey.
Three missions are said to have
been given to Admiral Sampson-to
capture Porto Rico, to DESTROY the
Spanish fleet if it comes over and to
protect the Oregon.
The cruiser Topeka will probably
be added to the Cuban blockadine
feet
The cruiser Newark will go into
commission at Norfolk on the 9Th.
Reports from Madrid say that riot
ing continues at several points in
Spain. and that in some cases troops
have fired on the rioters.
A dispatch from London saws no
messages from Manila to the United
States have reached Hong Kong yet.
The officials of the Navv Dena-tnert
from the Secretary down. are thoroughly
indignant at the character of the stories
enanating from San Francisco that are be-
ing punished as authentic accounts of the
engagement of Commodore Dewey at Ma
Mia One in particular excited Indignation.
that ascribing to Admiral kirkland, at
Mare Island. the receipt of a telegram from
Commodore Dewey describing the terrible
ortahty on his own fleet resulting from
'he natlie OF Manila 1t was shown that it
was utterly impossible for news from the
Meet to come in any such fashion. Iras-
fha
receipt of information from Commodore
Deweys squadron Were superior to those Of
individuals. ii was declared to be utterly
improbable that they could receive news
before the department itself Such dis
patches as that complained of were cruel
anu senseless, and inflicted great misery
upon the wives, mothers. daughters and
other relatives of the brave sailors of this
neet. who have been anxiously waiting 70
hear from them
The officials about concluded this morn
ing that there was little prospect of ree.iv-
lhg news from Commodore Dewey directly
uurihs the course of the day. though
there is always a possibility that a
merchant vessel may reach Hong Kong
from the Philippines, bringing some news
OF the battle and Subsequent events at Ma
MIA 1t Is practically settled that the cable
cannot be relied upon as a means of COM
nunication, as it is doubtless cut inshor,
solne"here between its landing place in the
Island OF Luzon-Point Bolanio-and Manila
ana therefore at a point beyond the reach
OF Commodore Dewey at this time.
The Department Calculation.
Inc oIiiciai calculation is about as fol-
lo"s' me latest authentic and direct news
fr6 m Manila showed that Dewey subaue6
SE1nlGn iaas
The surrender of Manila through the Bri-
ush consul some time Sunday afternoon
He gave notice OF bou.bardment at the
same time at the expiration of twenty-four
hours, which would make the lombard
ment itself begin Monday afternoon No
Dcat couio nave been spared to carry dis
patches In such juncture, SO IL could not
be before Manila had fallen that the Nc
CuiIocn sailed from Manila That would
not be before Monday evening at earliest
and possibly not for day or two later.
Presuming that the vessel sailed at the
earliest moment, Monday evening allowing
three days for passage, she was NOT due
AT Hong Kong or Mrs Bay until tonight
But II is already tonight by our time in
either place and possibly the McCullocn
or some dispatch boat is just entering the
barbor. There would, however be other
delays in the receipt of the message here
such as the time lost in the many cable
relay stations, which be set down at
about six hours at minimum. 1t will be
seen that by this calculation there is little
chanA of official news coming in during the
Daylight hours.
VIII Give Out News Promptly
There need be no apprehension on the
part of the public that any news that is
received from Commodore Dewey will be
withheld from it, Secretary Long has
stated in the most positive manner that
he regards 1t as his duty to make the
people acquainted with the facts as soon
as he knows them himself. He believes
this Is only just TO the relatives and friends
of the sailors Of Dewey's feet Therefore
the many statements and rumors that are
constantly circulating TO the effect that
the Navy Department has received mys-
terious cablegrams from Hong Kong, which