The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1898-05-06
NO NEWS FROM
COMMODORE DEWEY
Navy Department Feels No APP
prehension Over the Fact.
IS MASTER OF SITUATION
And Is Well Prepared to Maintain His
Position at Manila.
THE OREGON BELIEVED TO BE SAFE
There Is No Probability That Sampson
Will Send an Escort.
There Is No Probability That Sampson
Will Send an Escort.
BRAZIL HAS DECLARED NEUTRALITY
The NewsParticularly Gratifying to Wash
ingt0n Officials, as Spains Fleet Cam
not Now Put Into Brazilian
Ports to Make Repairs.

Washington, May 5.-Secretary Long said
at the close of office hours today 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 news; because. in the first place. re-
ports were not expected with the cable from
Manila cut, and, Furthermore, no fears were
entertained as to Commodore Dewey's abil-
ity to maintain his position. There was no
doubt, the secretary said, that Commodore
Dewey's fleet had annihilated the Spanish
fleet, and with this much accomplished
Dewey was master of the situation at Ma
Mia 1t was suggested to Mr.. Long that
the shore batteries at Cavite and on the
Corregidor island might be a serious menace
to the American fleet but the secretary did
not share the view, holding that the
strength of the Olympia and other ships
in Dewey's squadron was ample to make
him master of Manila and it's surroundings.
The department is taking steps to render
aid to Commodore Dewey in the matter of
supplies, etc. Preparations for suitable
convoy for the supply ships was also in
dicated by the choice of a commander and
officers for the cruiser Charleston, now at
Mare Island. 1t is recalled at the navy de-
partment In this connection that having
secured the surrender of Manila, the Com
modore would be able to secure any guam
tity of labor and of such material as mari
time cities as Manila affords for the repair
of his ships.
Landed the Wounded
He also would be able to place his wound
ed in comfort in some of the Manila hos
.t.ls h,,il1 1tx,rro 10 oil
ways a desire. of prudent naval COM
mander to 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 Sampson's iron clads. but from
the confident tone of the few officials who
are acquainted with the policy of the de-
partment they are expecting to hear very
soon news from his squadron almost as
interesting and important as that received
from the Philippines last Monday. A high
officer of the administration today almost
demolished the theory that Admiral Samp-
son was going to succor the Oregon now
on her way from Brazil to join the North
Atlantic suadron. He declared that the
navy department was not apprehensive
about the Oregon as 1t did not consider that
the admiral of the Cape Verde squadron
would care to risk combat with the Ore
gon even with the great odds in his favor
as even If overwhelmed in the end the
Oregon certainly would destroy one of
the Spanish ships and perhaps two and
the Spanish government could not afford
10 exchange pawns at this stage of the
war.
Porto Rico or Cuban Ports
enthusiasm su. H. oft
That left open as possible points of op-
erations for Sampson either Porto 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 today that that government had
declared neutrality. There is now no cause
to regret such action on the part of Brazil,
for however beneficial the delay has been
to the United States In getting It's war
ships safely along the Brazilian coast the
Issue of the proclamation just now Is likely
to be stiii more beneficial in closing Bra
milan ports to the Spanish flying squadron
If 1t should be headed In that direction.
1t may be noted, however. that while the
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