The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-08-02

He Arrfres on ike Newport and As.
sumes Command-BAlauce Of the
Transports Close Behind.

He Arrfres ON ike Newport and As
sumes Command-Balauee Of IN
Transports Close Behind.
Washington. July so.-The following
was received at the war department
today:
Hong Kong. July 30. Cavite July %.
"Adjutant General. Washington. D.. c:
Arrived today about l. o'clock.
Health OF command good. Remainder
OF fleet four days in rear. All troops
assigned will probably be needed.
MERRITT.
Major General Commanding"
The navy department has made pub
lie the following:
"Cavite. July IS.
Secretary OF Navy, Washington.
Merritt arrived yesterday in the
Newport. The remainder of the eN-
petition is expected within the next
few days. DEWEY.
London, July 3o.-A dispatch 10
Lloyd's. dated Manila, July 27th. says
that the United States transport New
port, with Major General Wesley Mer-
rift on board, arrived there yester-
day. All were we'll on board. Nothing
uttISANS has lEdiSplItd o. yea bGA II
is expected that operations against the
Spaniards will commence in a few
days.
Manila, July %, via Hong Kong. July
30.-General Merritt assumed command
Of the American forces Immediately at
ter he had reported 10 Admira Dewey.
He has established headquarters at
the Cavite arsenal. The Newport was
escorted to an anchorage near the
b- shn TVlT hAn 4
Concord, the crews OF the vessels or
the American feet giving her a rous-
ing welcome.
At the close OF his official visit TO
the Olympia, Admiral Dewey's nag
ship. General Merritt was officially
recognized by a salute of thirteen
guns.
Until he shall ave received the re-
ports of the officers who preceded him
and familiariZed himself with the sit
uation General Merritt cannot deter
mine as to his future course. The re-
naming transports are expected to ar
rive tomorrow.
The fleet saw nothing OF the monitor
Monterey and the collier Brutus, and
it is supposed that the monitor Is coal
ing at Guam island.
The troops encamped at ParanaJo
have not yet made a move, the condi-
| ton of the country between the camp
and the outskirts of Manila being
such, on account of the heavy rains,
as to make it impossible TO advance.
The insurgents are still active, but
are accomplishing nothing.
Conversation with a considerable
number of natives has failed to- dis
close the existence OF any percepti-
BILE anti-American feeling among the
Philippines. These people are ppa
emily satisfied to accept annexation to
the United States. Their principal de-
sire is for a peaceful existence with
the minimum of trouble. They, how
ever. earnestly wish the abolition OF
oppression incident to Spanish official
rapacity and the tyranny of the reli-
gious bodies. The natives have no OBJ
lection to the church, apart from the
order of friars. The Philippines are
scarcely interested in any particular
form of government, but only desire
to be lNt alone.
I The rebels who recently captures
Caloocan. shelled the Spanish block
house at MaipagO, where, after having
smashed the Spanish cannon, ghey
stormed the place and b~ayonetted
twenty Spaniards.
German officials here explain that
the landing of food at Manila recent
~ was merely a trifie, and was fol
the relief of German residents. 1t has
HOW DetH UcClutu ~ uiSIoliLlluV llil
mode of aiding the subjects of Ger
many at Manila.
Hong Kong, July 30.-Letters reUeiv-
ed here from Cavite under date of July
9Th, state that the insurgents rave
done nothing since their second re-
pulse at MaIate, when the American
troops were held under arms through
fear Of an attack by the Spaniards
There are now 1900 American soldiers
within an hour of Manila, near Ma
late. Their camp is protected by
renches and guns and is covered by
the guns of the cruiser Boston and the
Callao, from the sea.
The American transports, it is said
will start on their return to San Fran
cisco in a few days. There is no sick
ness among the troops.
IT is believed that Governor General
August will surrender, owing to the
has returned to Spain, but the army
| officers desire to resist to the last, and
there is a prospect that peace will be
concluded prior to the capture OF Ma
Mia by the Americans.
About a dozen small Spanish steam
ers have passed out recently under the
insurgent flag, ost~nsibly to go to
General AguinaldO, but the suspicious
of the Americans are now aroused and
no more OF these craft will be allowed
to proceed.