Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-05-03
SUPPLIES FOR DEWEY
A Collier to Be Sent to Him From
San Francisco.
RIGHT TO SELL COAL TO BELLlGERENTS
The Commodore to Be Made an
Acting Admiral.
NAVALCOMMANDERS CHOSEN

The raval officials are making ready to
renew the supplies of Commodore Dewey,
and this will be done Immediately, and
without awaiting a decision of the, ques-
ton as to whether troops shall be sent out
to relieve the commodore of the necessity
of policing Manila with men from his fleet.
Inquiry at the department confirms the San
Francisco statement that one ship has al
ready been secured as a collier, and that
this is a much feeter vessel than those
usually so employed. 1t will take this
81 ip however, about three weeks to reach
Manila, and she may stop on the way at
Honolulu to repleniSh her own coal supply
from the large accumulation held there by
Admiral Miller. This may be necessary in
order that the snip shall arrive at the
Pl ilippines with a full cargo. 1t may be
that the department will, in case of fur
Their need, try to secure more coal for the
American Philippine fleet from a nearer
and cheaper source than California. 1t is
believed that there is nothing in the neu-
trality laws of most nations that prevents
merchant from shipping coal to a bel
hserent power, though a warship of such
belligerent is restricted in taking on such
coal in the neutral port. OF course the
own risk, for the coal would probably be
held to be contraband by the Spanards.
But, as matters stand. after Commodore
Dewey's victory there is no Spanish naval
force left in eastern waters to seize such
ship, so that it would be easy to compen-
safe the coal merchants for the small risk
incurred by shipping coal to the American
fleet at the Philippines
1t is said at the Navy Department that
plenty of superior coal can be secured in
THIS manner in the Asiatic ports at an
average price of $40 a ton, while a very
high grade coal can be had in large guam
titles from New South Wales at low fig
ures. However the Navy Department will
not rely upon any outside source of sup
ply for the first shipment, but will start
one steamer at once from San Francisco as
soon as she can be loaded.
Smelling Corresidor Island.
Although without confirma ton from any
official source. the naval officials are dis
posed to attach some credit to the state
ne Mt coming from Paris, that at the last
accounts from Manila the American fleet
was firing upon Corregidor Island. This
island lies in the outer entrance to the
harbor of Manila and is about twenty-five
miles below the city. 1t is crowned by a
lighthouse and has several modern guns in
place. While not a serious menace to the
American fleet SO long as the latter lies
far above in the vicinity of the city, the
existence of the fort at a place command
ing his line of communication could not be
long tolerated by the commodore for it
would endanger any unarmored ship seek
ing to reach the fleet. and would prevent,
in,
Dewey to BE Congratulated.
Secretary Long announced this morning
that as soon as the department received
an official report from Commodore Dewey
confirming the press accounts of his VIC
tory in the battle of Manila, a cablegram
would be sent to the officer congratulating
him upon the splendid performance of the
American fleet under his direction. More
over, said the Secretary, as soon as the
necessary confirmation is at hand Commo-
dore Dewey will be made an admiral in
recognition of his Valor. This will be &C.
complished Immediately by an executive
order designating him acting admiral just
as was done in the case of Capt. Sampson.
Later on he will probably he nominated to
the Senate in the usual course for promo
ton to the rank of admiral, thus confirm
partmeEt.
There was no word from either diplo-
matte or naval sources at the department
Up to noon today concerning the engage
ment of Commodore Dewey Sunday. This
was no matter of surprise to the naval off,
GERS. for they realized that Commodore
Dewey cannot spare one of his small fleet
to use as dispatch boat in communicating
"a MONT
and their main dependence is upon some
merchant vessel which may be incoming
from the islands. 1t was hoped, however,
that the State Department might be able
to secure some information that would al
lay the growing anxiety as to the extent of
the losses suffered by the American neat in
men and material. 1t is believed that sew
eral of the European governments besides
Great Britain received a good deal Of in
formation from their consul at Manila re-
speeding the battle before cable communal
cation was broken off, but so far as is
| known none of them, save the British has
shown disposition to meet the desire OF
the American government for news of an
official character.
Navy Ready to Cooperate.
most emphatic denial is given at the
Navy Department to the published state.
ment that the department Las declined to
spare a couple CT naval vessels to convoy
| the transports which will carry the troops
from Florida to the Cuban port selected as
the place for the beginning of the offensive
campaign On the contrary, 1t is said that
| the navy has done its full share SO far in
the execution of the plans Of campaign and
| stands ready to do whatever 1t is called
upon to do as soon as the military authori-
| ties notify the Navy Department of their
plans and the extent to which the navy IL
expected to cooperate. 1t is believed that
the true explanation of the delay in sending
| out the advance military expedition is to he
| found in the letter of General Miles read In
F.! the Senate yesterday, in which he declared
that all the $1,000 600 war fund appropria.
ton having been expended or allotted, Their,