The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1898-05-03
LAST TO RECEIVE
OFFICIAL NEWS
Continued From First Page)

tNOHtiuuSQ plTSL TdRe.l
protection in the shape of gun shields the
personnel of the ships was exposed to the
fire of the enemy
If Commodore Dewey has lost a consider
able portion of his men it is feared he will
be much embarrassed in the work of main
tanning possession of Manila for lack of
sufficient force. There was some talk this
afternoon of sending troops out from San
Francisco to aid in this work, but 1t is like
" that the department will wait to hear
from Commodore Dewey himself before
taking any action. 1t may be, and in fact
1t Is expected, that by combination with
the insurgents he will succeed in having
his men relieved of. the task of garrison
ing Manila.
VIII Retain One Good Port
AS to the future of the island it is likely
that the government will retain possession
of at least one good port such as Manila for
a ccaling station and base Of supplies dur
ing the remainder of the war; There was
understood to be a considerable Spanish
force in the Philippines and a large num-
Der of natives are said to be "loyal." Be-
tween these and the insurgents it is proba-
bic that civil war may rage on the islands
for some time outside of Manila proper. It
is believed the officials have not decided
What 10 do with the Islands at the end of
the wal but IL. their possession the United
t3rcing terms of peace with Spain. Sup
posing Porto Rico shall next be seized, 1t
wonld seem that Spain wi have little to en-
courage her in further resistance, particu-
larry as the fall of Porto Rico would can
the loss to her of her iron clad fleet S. -uld
it cross the Atlantic. 5-..
:, There is no talk yet of European inter-
vention, but one of the most beneficial re-
suits of Dewey's victory yesterday is that
deep impression has been made upon the
wxrIfA
afford to blind themselves to the fact that.
man to man, the American navy is equal
to any in the world. There was no ex-
hibition, such as was sneeringly predicted
in the European press, of weakness in the
American fleet, caused by the fact that it
was Of Heterogeneous composition The i'm
preston produced Is likely to deter the
European powers from hasty intervention
and the present indications are that we
shall be left to settle our affairs with Spain
at our own pleasure, always provided we
do not get involved in the eastern question
through obtaining possession of the Philip
pines.
He May Be an Admiral
1t is entirely possible that Commodore
Dewey may secure his promotion to the
rank of admiral through the splendid ex-
hibition of pluck, discretion and sailor
qualities he made in yesterdays engage
ment. The naval law, however, does not
permit u pTOmOtlOu eACepb ny SeuioftIy, 81
that it probably would be requisite for
congress to pass a special resolution, such.
as was done in the case of Commodore
Melville to afford him his well-earned pro-
motion.
Four flags were displayed today for the
first time in many months from the STATS
of the state, war and navy department
building, and on the east front a huge
garrison flag floated, all In honor of the vic
tory of the American fleet in Manila yes
terday.
The war department is bending all its
energies to the mastering In of volunteers
and the recruiting of the regular army to
its full war strength of 81 900 men. The
officials feel confident that within rea-
sonable time the volunteers and the
regular armies will be ready for practical
military duty. Secretary Alger and Cen
eral Miles had long conference with the
president this afternoon, presumably in re-
gard TO appointments in the volunteer SER
vice. In few, days all the troops that
have been ordered to Tampa are expected
to reach tn, Place and the eight large trans
ports which are to conduct the first expedi--
fion to Cuba have been ordered to proceed
to Tampa.
No Information Given Out
The officials, however, decline to make
public any information regarding the expe-
dtio, or the place in Cuba. where 1t is to
land The officers of the commissary de-
DarTD,ent at NEW 1Orh loudy opehSu piO-
posals for supplying food to an army of S.,
O0l men if the government finds it neces-
sary to contract for that amount.
Although the British colonial office has
been fully advised of the American sue
cess from Manila. The British authors
ties in London did not communicate with
the British embassy here nor did the for
eign Offices at Paris, Berlin or other capt.
tails, notify their representatives here. This
SIS taken to indicate that the foreign offices
will not communicate events of a strictly
military character and also that American
occupation of the Philippines has not yet
assumed political aspect at foreign GEN.
tiers.
The late reports that Manila was being
bombarded caused much uneasiness at the
foreign headquarters. 1t was said that il
the town itself was under bombardment Sc
rious complications might arise, as nom
combatants and the foreign colonies 1t is
held, should have been entitled to at least
twenty-four hours notice of an attack on
the town proper. If, however, Commodore
Dewey is confirming his bombardment to
Cavite and other forts no such question
can arise.