The daily morning journal and courier., 1898-05-06
NOTHING HEARD OF DEWEY
SECRETARY OF NAVY LONG, HOW-
 EYER, HAS NO APPREHENSION.

EYER, HAS NO 4PPREH ENSION. Reports Not Expected With the Cable at Manila Cut-C Confident That Acting Rear Admiral Dewey Can Maintain His PD- sitlon-Departme ent Taking Steps to Rem der Effective Aid-Two Hundred Thou sand Pounds of Powder to be Sent to the Eastern FIeet-Admiral sampson's Iron- cIads-Their Destination a Mystery to the Outside World.
 Washington, May 5.-secretary Long said at the close of office hours to-day that up to that time he had received no word from Acting Rear Admiral Dew ey. He added, however, that he felt no apprehension over this lack of good news, because in the first place reports were not expected with the cable from Manila cut and furthermore no fears were entertained as to Acting Rear Admiral Dewey's ability to maintain his position. There is no doubt, the secretary said, that Acting Rear Ad- miral Dewey's fleet had annihilated the Spanish fleet and with this much ac- complished Dewey was master of the situation at Manila. It was suggested to MT. Long that the shore batteries at Cavite and on the Corregidor Island might be serious 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 able to make him master of Manila bay and it's surroundings.
 To Render Effective Aid.
 The department is taking steps to render effective aid to the acting rear admiral in the matter of supplies and a contractor of high ability is to go out at once to repair the damage sus- tained in the battle of Manila. Prepa- ration for a suitable convoy for the ships was also indicated by the choice of commander and officers for the cruiser Charleston, now at Mare Island.
 Admiral Sampson's Iron-clads.
 No news could be gleaned at the navy department relative to the move ments of Admiral Sampson's ironclads, but from the confident tone of the few officials acquainted with the policy of the department it is informed that they are expecting to hear very soon of news from the squadron almost as in teresting and important as that receiv ed from the Philippines last Monday. A high officer of the administration to- day almost demolished the theory that Admiral Sampson was going to succor the Oregon, now on her way from Bra gil to join the North Atlantic squadron. He declared that the navy department was under no apprehension about the Oregon, as it did not consider that the Spanish admiral of the Cape Verde squadron would be willing to risk combat with the Oregon, even with the great odds in his favor, as even if over whelmed in the end, the Oregon would certainly destroy one of the Spanish ships and perhaps more, and the Span ish government could not afford to eX- change pawns at this stage of the war They left open as possible points of operations for Sampson either Por- to Rico or some port on the Cuban coast. But just which theory is to be accepted is not even hinted at by the department officials.
 Brazil Declares Neutrality.
 Notice came to the state department from Brazil to-day that that govern ment had declared neutrality. There is now no cause to regret such action on the part of Brazil, for however ben eficial the delay has been to the United States in getting it's warships safely along the Brazilian coast, the issue of ,the proclamation just now is likely to be still more beneficial in closing Bra zilian ports to the Spanish flying squadron if it should be headed in that direction. It may be noted, however, that while the first reports were re- ceived with little credit the navy de- partment to-day was inclined to the be- lief that the Spanish flying squadron has turned back to consolidate with the home squadron at Cadfz.
 100000 Pounds of Powder for Dewey.
 The navy department will ship 200 000 hounds of powder to Acting Rear Ad- miral Dewey to add to the stock he now has left This will be made up Of about 6O,000 pounds of the grades used for the big eight-inch guns, 6O,00O pounds for the six-inch guns, 5O0OO hounds for the five-inch guns and lesser amounts for other classes of guns. This, with the large number of eight inch armor piercing projectiles, shells and six and five inch rifle balls, will make the shipment of ammunition a very large one. The powder and shot together will give 500 rounds for the big guns and several thousand rounds for the rapid five rifles.
 Harvard Shooters Coming.