Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-04-28
HERE'S FOR A FIGHT.
OUR tsIATIC sQUADRON SAILS
DIRECTLY FOR MANILA.
CAPITULATION TO Be DEMANDED.
General Opinion That America VIII
Win an Easy Victory I'm the Philip
Country.
Country.

LONDON. April 2s-The Hongkong cor
respondent Of the Times says:
''The American fleet. headed by the
flagship Olympia. sailed at o'clock this
afternoon "wednesday directly for
Manila. The British cruiser Immortalite
will follow the American squadron"
The Hongkong correspondent Of the
Daily Mail says.
United States Consul-General Will
liams, after spending the evening ashore
with United States Consul Wildman. ac-
companied the American squadron.
Thirty insurgent leaders here wanted TO
accompany it. but Chief Aguinaldo only
goes az their representative. He will
take charge Of the insurgent forces at
Manila. Admiral Dewey has issued strict
orders that no barbarous or inhuman
acts are TO be perpetrated by the insur-
gents.
THE primary object is the capture of
the Spanish feet which Admiral Dewey
thinks more impOrtan than capturing
Manila. He is determined TO prevent
its preyins upon American vessels.
"On reaching Manila ne will demand
its capitulation within half an hour of
his arrival. His men are in the best
spirits and in excellent health. There
have been nine desertiOns. including six
Cinnamon. one Italian. and one German,
during the fleets stay at Hongkong
Every preparation has been made The
ships are cleaned and painted for bat
tie. and the general opinion is that the
fight in these waters will result in an
easy victory for America. The ships
carry l22 guns. as against ~ or there
abouts i'm the Spanish fleet.
COOPERATION WITH REBELS.
"The cooperation Of the American fleet
with the rebels has been kept a strict
secret The latter await the arrival of
the feet. when Manila must soon sue
cumb. It's defences are in a wretched
state
THE Americans in the Philippines are
anxious to see British rule established
there, and the proposal has been favor
ably received here The Manila press
on the contrary, says there If great en-
thusiasm among the population for
Spain and that an obstinate resistance
vii. be offered TO the Americans. but the
papers qualify their bold allegation by
referring to the phlegmatic character
of the natives. which prevents any eX
cited expression of opinion.
These journals say, too, that the trea-
son of a few hundred or few thOusa nds
of the rebels does not affect the virtue
of the race. and they haughtily add that
the Philippines will prove worthy Of
Spain.
"The Governor of the Philippines has
issued several proclams tions. one re-
quired all able-bodied Spaniards TO en-
accords permission TO foreigners 10 join
Exemption is granted to all American
citizens.
AMERICANS "EXCRESCENCES."
zone extraordinary proclamation has
excited great distrust here. Ii asserts
that the American people. who are COM
posed Of all social eXcrescences, have eX-
hausted our patience and provoked wsr.
with their perfdious Vaccinations, their
acts of treachery. and their outrages
against the law Of nations and interna-
tional comfy
"The proclamation proceeds 10 say: a
squadron manned by foreigners. possess |
ing neither instruction nor discipline, |
comes TO this archipelago. with the ruff
fianly intention of robbing US of all that |
means life honor. and liberty. The ag-
qressors shall not profane the tOmbs OF
Your fathers They shall not cover you |
with dishonor or appropriate the pro-
perty your industry mas accumulated as |
"A provision for your old age. They shall !
not perpetrate any of the crimes inspired |
bv their wickedness and covetousness. !
because your valor and patriotism will /
suffice 10 punish this miserable people. !
which. claiming 10 be civilized and cul- |
uvated have exterminated the unhappy |
natives Of North America, instead Of |
bringing TO them the light Of civilization |
and of progress"