The herald., 1898-04-28
ADMIRAL DEWfY'S PLAN
COVERS MORE THAN WINNING A
BATTLE
WITH THE AID OF INSURGENTS
Vhe Philippine Squadron Will Be
Made Permanently Unable to
Prey on Our Commerce

Prey on Our Commerce
Associated Press Special Wire
LONDON, April 2S. - The Hong Kont
correspondent Of the Daily Mail says:
United States Consul-General Williams
after spending the evening ashore witt
Consul Widman, accompanied the Ameri
ran squadron. Thirty insurgent leader:
here wanted to accompany 1t, but Chic
Aeuinaldo. as their representative, will
take charge of the insurgent forces a
Manila, Admiral Dewey has issued stric
orders that no barbarous or inhuman act
are to be perpetrated by the insurgents
The primary object is the capture of the
Spanish fleet, which Admiral Dewey thinks
more important than capturing Manila. He
Is determined to prevent Its preying on
American vessels. On reaching Manila he
will demand its capitulation within half
an hour Of his arrival. His men are in the
best of spirits and excellent health. There
have been nine desertions, including six
Chinese, one italian and one German, dur
ing the fleets stay at Hong Kong. The
ships are cleared and painted for battle,
and the general opinion is that the fight
in these waters will result in an easy VIC
tory for the Americans. Her ships carry
122 guns, as against 9s of the Spanish feet.
The cooperation of the American feet
with the rebels has been kept strict Sc
cret. The latter await the arrival Of the
fleet, when Manila must soon succumb.
Its defenses are in wretched state. The
Americans in the Philippines are anxious
to see British rule established there, and
the report has been favorably received.
The Manila press, on the contrary, says
there is great enthusiasm among the popu-
lation for Spain, and that an obstinate re-
sistance will be offered to the Americans,
but the papers qualify their bold allega-
tions by referring to the phlegmatic char
acter of the natives, which prevents any
excited expression of opinion. These jour-
nails say, too. that the treason of few hun
dred or few thousand rebels does not af-
feet the virtue of the race, and they haugh-
tily claim that the Philippines will prove
worthy of Spain.
The governor of the Philippines has is
sued several proclamations. One required
all able-bodied Spaniards to enroll them
selves for military service, and accorded
permission to foreigners to join. Exemp-
ton is granted to all American citizens.
One extraordinary proclamation has ex-
cited disgust here. 1t asserts that the
American people are composed Of all social
excrescenses. who have exhausted our pa
thence and provoked war with their per-
fidious Vaccinations, their acts Of treach-
cry and their outrages against the laws of
nations and international conventions"
Oriental Interests
VANCOUVER, B. c., April q. Mail
brought by the Empress Of China, which
arrived here this morning from Hong Kong
and Yokohama, states that the people of
the orient are turning their attention from
the far eastern question to the war between
the United States and Spain. Generally
speaking, the press is on the side of Amer
ica.
The Japan Daily Herald. declares that
Spanish pride and obstinacy conspired to
throw AWAY all chance of peace.
1t was reported in Hong Kong on April
18th that the American government had
purchased two steamers, the Zephyr and
Nanhan (sic), as transports.
The news from the Philippines is less
than ever reassuring to Spain. Despite
official statements from Madrid that the
rebellion has been got under control. the
outbreak does not seem to have been sub.
dued. Gen. Primo de Rivas is so disgusted
with the government for not carrying out
his accommodations for reforms that he
has insisted on being relieved.
Spain seems to be resorting to foul tac-
tics to kill the rebellion. At the end of
March 18th the rebels were holding meet
ing In a house in Manila. The news got
to the authorities and the house was sur
rounded, with the result that, upon their
refusal to surrender, about ten so-called in