The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-05-05
YESTERDAYS DEVELOPMENTS.


Seven army officers and four
civilians have been raised to the
rank of major general. The army
officers promoted by the President
are: Brigadier Generals Breckin-
ridge, Otis, COppinger. Shafter,
Graham, Wade and Merriam. The
civilians honored with major gem
eraIships aret Fitzhugh Lee, Jo-
seph Wheeler, Senator w. j. Sew
ell and w. III. Wilson. All these
nominations were promptly con-
flrmed by the Senate. The Presi-
dent also nominated a large NUM-
ber of ceIOneIs and lieutenant
ecIOnels i'm the regular army to be
brigadier generals.
The situation I'm Spain is grow
ing more grave. Several of the
provinces have been put under
martial law because OF serious
riotinG. The people are beginning
TO discuss the future of the coun-
try under new rulers, as IL the
queen Regent and the boy King
were alrendy out of the way.
Weyler has been named the Span
ish Boulanger, but 1T is not be-
lieved lac will succeed any better
than the Frenchman. Some of his
friends, however, think he Will be
made dictator If the impending
revolution is successful. The i'm
creasinE friendliness between
Great Britain and the United
States is causing much Ill feeling.
IA
discussing intervention.
Admiral SIMPSONS feet of big
ships quietly stole into Key West,
took ON a full supply of coal and
sailed away again. 1t is supposed
an important naval movement is
contemplated, but no information
has been given out by the author
ities. A dispatch to London
newspaper says the fleet is en-
route to Porto Rico to seize a COAL
ing station and prepare for engag-
ing the Spanish vessels which are
supposed to be nearing western
waters. The flying squadron is
ready to sail, but where it will be
sent is also a secret. The officers
of both fleets expressed the hope
they would be given a chance to
follow Dewey's example.
1t was reported that the dispatch
boat McCufIOch had arrived at
Mrs bay, China, with advices from
Commodore Dewey, but the report
was not confirmed. officials of the
Navy Department waited all day
ceived none. Secretary Long has
chartered two steamships to con-
vey coal and supplies to Dewey's
feet, and they will sail from San
Francisco as soon as possible.
Oscar F. Williams, United States
consul at Manila, in a report dated
Feb. 2S, says the population of the
Philippines is 15,OOO,OOO and their
area about 10000 square miles.
There are twenty-five foreign con-
suIates at Manila, but the volume
of export trade coming under Mr..
WiIIiams's supervision equals that
of his twenty-One consular col
leagues combined. In other words,
the United States has more direct
interest In the Philippine islands
than all the other countries of the
globe put together. The exports
to this country average $1,OOO,OOO
a month, and consist mostly of
hemp, sugar, cigars, tobacco,
woods, hides, shells, indigo and
coffee.
1t is reported from Honolulu that
IN
transfer the Hawaiian islands to
the United States to be used as a
base of supplies during the war
with Spain. The Hawaiian gov
ernment will, it is also said, fur
nish our ships with coal and other
necessaries. Nothing concerning
the alleged offer has been received
at Washington. Representative
NewIands has introduced a joint
annexation resolution i'm the
House.
The Spanish squadron, which
sailed recently from the Cape
Verde islands, is reported to be
near Cadix, getting ready to cross
the Atlantic and give battle to the
American fleet. A Spanish cruiser
is said to be i'm West Indian waters
looking for the battle skip Oregon.
Representatives of foreign gov
ernments continue to praise Conn
mOdore Dewey for his bold and
successful attack on the Spanish
fleet in Manila bay. Admiral Col
comb, of the British navy, says
Dewey must hencefOrth be ranked
as one of the worlds great CONF
manders.