The times., 1898-07-27

to fire at them. Ammunition stands be-
hind every gun, and at night the crews
sleep al the guns. Ii brings the reallza-
ton OF war TO the otherwise peaceful
scene with a rush when the call of the
sentry comes over the water, and the
bright rays of the great electric search
lights bring day to night.
On Monday night it was reported that
the gunboats Zebu and Aquaris had
come out of the Passig River and were
below the bridge preparing for torpedo
attack. Admiral Dewey promptly issued
orders for additional precautions. The
crews slept al their guns. with one man
on his feet. The lookouts and sentries
were doubled, and the lights were kept
going constantly. II was just the night
for such an attack, for ii was very dark,
and rain fell in torrents. All through the
| long night the fleet was on the alert, but
there was no attack
When morning dawned the admiral or
dered the Boston, the Petrol and the Cal
lao 10 cruise down 10 the mouth of the
Pasig. Their cruise created considerable
excitement in Manila, for they passed
close TO the harbor front They saw
nothing of the ships they were seeking
and, although there had been consldera-
bic speculation as To their whereabouts
II IS thought that they are still in the
river. 1t is the intention, however, to
keep the closest watch possible and 10
| convoy dispatch boats 10 a place of
safety
The men of the fleet continue in excel
lent health The hot suns OF May have
given way 10 milder ones, and the rainy
season Is on. The rain offers dangers
but great care is being exercised The
heet needs fresh food, but relief from
nome and Australia is expected shortly.
u,
desperate hourly. The Spaniards at last
concede that the insurgents are hemrning
them in, and fear thatsthe water sunpIv
/ or that city will be cut off The loss Of
5000 prisoners has told severely, and the
city Is growing hungry The desperate
Spaniard partially vents his spleen on the
Engiishmen in Manila, but darcs not 20
too far. Over the door Of the Spanish
military club there is a placard making
a filthy reference to Englishmen The
spaniards are reported 10 be intrenchlng
one of the hills back of the city. with
the idea of making their last staui here
The position in question is said to be
very strong
The naval officers do not believe that IL
viii be ever used. however for they are
convinced that when the American troeDs
arrive and the first real menacing move
ment against the city is made Augustin
| viii hoist the white flag II there is a
| fight, 1t will be short and sharp Ad-
| miral Dewey says he can reduce and take
| the place in an hour. He will nave 10
| trouble in si!encing the batteries, ana can
| make the city an undesirable place to
| live in IN ten minutes after he opens fire
On land the American troops viii CO.
| operate with the insurgents and cut of
| the rear. 1t is not going TO be hard for
| the American troops to campaigl about
| Manila; the country Offers no serious
| physical difficulties. Dewey's men are
| anxious for the advance and they will
| go UP TO Manila with a song and cheer
( They have now rested on their arms iur
| nearly seven weeks. and are ready.
| This is a time when the American away
| from home languishes and IS heavy Of
| heart and the gallant boys in blue are
| anxious TO end 1t all for all time and get
! back to kinsmen. The Spanish have fol-
| lowed the American example at Santiago
| de Cuba and have sunk hulk at the
| mouth of the Pasig. 1t will be of little
| avail, however, as the American ships
| can do their work from the outside. The
! cruise of the Boston and the Concord
! CLEANED that bit of information.
While the Boston and the Concord were
| off the city the Spanish gunners of the
batteries trained their guns on them, but
they have evidently remembered the
! promise of Dewey TO return their fire. for
| they contented themselves with the an
/ tics OF aiming. The saucy little CallaO
/ passed very close to shore, Haunting de-
! fiance to the Dons. and the crew got a
1 good, clear view of the lower portion OF
{ the city.
Admiral Dewey himself went close to
! the city on Sunday last. He was return
! ing the call of Vice Admiral Won Died
erichs, of the kaiserin Augusta the Ger
man flagship, and was taken up on the
| Concord, which passed close to the shore
| The admiral made some mental notes for
! future reference
/ The latter is perhaps the most inde-
fatigable man in the ship. Aided by Flag
/ Lieut.. Brumby, Capt 1amberton, of the
| Olympia, and Ensign Caldwell, his sec
rotary, he is always at work. He is al
once the master of every detail in the
| conduct of the feet, and his vigilance
for the safety of his men and ships and
| the success of the nations cause is con-
stant He is disciplinarian and decis-
i've His men respect, admire, trust and
| obey him.