The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-05-16
He is Maintaining Strict Blockade Of the Port and
Has Seized Cunboat That Attempted to Break
Through Twelve Thousand Troops to Be Sent to
His Assistance From the Pacific Slope disposition
Of New Eng|anders at Points Of Mobilization
Spanish Fleet is Off Venezuela

Washington. May 16.--Sunday's dis
patches from Hong Kong brought well
come news from Admiral Dewey to the
president, and to Secretary Long and
the naval officials who are watching the
admirars movement with so much in
terest. While no apprehension existed
as to his security, nevertheless reassur-
ance of safety is always pleasant. The
kilograms indicate that Dewey has lost
none of the prestige gained in his MEM
orable fight of two weeks ago, and that
while he refrains from taking the city he
has 1t practically at his mercy. The
admiral expresses the belief that the
rebels are hemming in the city by land.
but the fact that he says explicitly that
they have made no demonstration seems
to disprove thoroughly the published
reports that they had already entered
Manila and had begun a career of blood
shed and rapine. The best evidence Of
the effectiveness Of the blockade main
tanned by the American admiral and also
of the work of the insurgents around the
city is shown in the dispatches that pro-
visions are scarce In the city OF Manila,
which seems to show to Admiral Dewey
an early surrender by the Spanish au-
thorities.
Another published report seems also
to be refuted by the admirals advices,
and that is that the rebels had raided
Cavite, where the Spanish naval station
was located. and where presumably large
supplies of arms and ammunition were
kept. If the rebels have been supplying
themselves with arms it must have been
with the admiral,s consent, as his dis
patch is Originally dated from Cavite,
indicating that ne Is still in possession.
The greatest satisfaction prevails here
over the good work being done and the
effectiveness Of the blockade being main
tanned by him. The dispatch as given
out by Secretary Long is as follows:
Maintaining strict blockade. Reason
20 believe that the rebels are hemming
in the city by land, but have made no
demonstration. Scarcity of provisions
in Manila. Probable that the Spanish
governor will be obliged TO surrender
soon. Can take Manila at any moment.
Climate hot and moist. On May IL cap
tured gunboat Callao attempting to run
blockade. Have plenty coal. One Brit
ish, one French, two German. one
Japanese vessels here observing
The officials are making all possible
haste to rush troops TO supplement Ad-
miral Dewey's forces so that IL the Span
ish government does surrender the for
mer will not be dependent upon the small
number Of marines which he can lily
spare from his ships, but will have the
assistance Of soldiers In holding his posi-
ton and maintaining order. II is con-
fidently hoped here that the City of
Picking, chartered as a transport vessel,
will be able to clear from San Francisco
I'm very short time, to be followed in
rapid succession by the other ships
engaged for similar purpose. The
Picking can carry 1000 men. which, with
the marines aboard the Charleston, will
be of considerable assistance to the ad-
mral. but far from the number which he
will need. The total number of men to
be sent will aggregate probably $4,000.
as Major General Wesley Merritt. who
is to command the expedition and subse-
quently be made military governor, re-
CARDS that as the least which can main
tain order In q city like Manila, made up
pf many discordant elements. over 10
regiments Of infantry and four batteries
of artillery from the volunteers have
been ordered to concentrate at San
Francisco, and from these and the regu-
lars now In the extreme west will be
taken the men for the Philippine expedi-
tion. 1t is expected here that practically
all the volunteers will go.
In addition to the dispatch from the ad-
miral. Secretary Long authorized the
publication of the statement that the
torpedo boat Terror, belonging TO the
Spanish fleet, wus disabled at Port Au
France. Martinique. The dispatch is as
follows: Spanish torpedo boat Terror
disabled az Port Au France, Martinique"
There was a disposition among some OF
those who saw this statement 10 regard
II with suspicion. suggesting that the
report OF disability was Intended simply
as blind. and that the Spanish govern.
ment had caused IL TO be spread so that
no complaint cou'N be made TO France
on account OF the stay OF the boat at a
neutral port. None Of the officials. how
ever. would express themselves on the
subject.
Secretary Long also made public
message which had been received from
Xev wsat telling of the denarfure of