The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-05-02
MANILA REPORTS
WAITED WITH MOST INTENSE
ANXIETY
TRUSTWORTHY NEWS.
CAN SCARCELY BE EXPECTED
FOR A WEEK
NEWS FROM SPANISH SOURCES
Is Certain to Be Colored in an Attempt
NEWS FROM SPANISH SOURCES
Is Certain to Be Colored in an Attempt
to Show Defeat of Admiral
Dewey's Fleet


Associated Press Special Wire
WASHINGTON, May 1.-No word from
Manila. This was the first answer given
in all official quarters today to news
gatherers respecting the intense interest
In Commodore Dewey's fleet near the Phil
ippine islands. Secretary Long arrived at
the White House shortly before IL o'clock
He said he had received no news of I'M
portance from any quarter up to that
time There was no significance IN MS
call, as he came to take the president TO
church. The secretary felt that the press
dispatches would bring news of any action
in the Philippines before the official report
could arrive. AS the president came from
the White House to take the carriage ne
saluted the small party in waiting outside.
His face wore rather serious look. lie
accompanied Mr.. Long to the latter's
church, the Unversalst. Throughout the
morning no news of Importance was con-
veyed to the White House.
The Active Centers
The active centers at the state, war and
navy departments were as busy as on
week days. Acting Secretary Moore and
Assistant Secretary Adee were together
for some time at the state department.
{ An official notification of neutrality had
been received from Siam. This was re-
garded as important in that 1t completed
the neutral attitude of all eastern Asia,
save China. No word came from China.
so that it is inferred her ports are still
open to the American fleet.
At the navy department Assistant Secre-
tary Roosevelt and most of the bureau Of
ficials were on hand to attend to matters
of pressing Importance. Senator Davis.
chairman of the senate committee on for
eign relations, called during the morning
and had talk with Mr.. Roosevelt. The
leading naval officials took the view that
no reliable information was likely to be
received as to operations in the Philippines
for possibly week. 1t was pointed out
by an official high in authority that Com
modore Dewey might not be able to strike
q decisive blow at the outset. If the Span
ish fleet came out and risked an engage
ment, then 1t was pointed out, decisive re-
suits might be expected soon. But they
might adopt the same tactics Of the Span
ish ships on the coast of Cuba, keeping in
shore and avoiding engagements. More
over, it is said that Commodore Dewey has
considerable latitude as to the course to be
adopted, and the situation may be such
that he will defer an engagement until he
has time to open communications with the
insurgents on tho land. There is posi-
bility also that If the Spanish fleet does
not come out for an engagement the
American commander may have to adopt
the same tactics as those of Admiral
, Sampson and blockade Manila as Havana
Is blockaded. This was the view taken by
at least two members Of the strategic
board. They spoke of course without pos
tive information, all communication with
Commodore Dewey having been cut off for
several days.
Must Be Patient
After talking with naval officials, Sena-
tor Davis said he did not expect any au-
thentic information for week. If an en-
gagement had occurred or was about to
occur, then the first reports necessarily
would come from Spanish sources, as they
controlled the cables, and the senator had
no doubt the reports would be colored to
show a Spanish victory and a correspond
ing American reverse. He thought the
public should be prepared for this. The
actual results would not be made known
until a dispatch boat had returned to
Hongkong, which, being 600 miles from
Manila, void defer authentic information
perhaps until the latter part of the week.
Cruisers Reported
The navy department received official
confirmation of the arrival o fthe battle
ship Oregon at Rio Janeiro. This was the
subject of general satisfaction, for 1t
means very material strength for Admiral
vxyifh ;cl,t
Oregon has been making thirteen knots,
or about 800 miles day, and it is calcu-
la etdthat she will cover the 5000 miles be-
tween Rio and Cuba in ten days. She
must coal, however, before starting north
ward. and this will take several days.
Once with the blockadng fleet, Admiral
SIMPSONS first line will be of four superb
battleships of practically the same
strength and equipment.
The new gunboat Topeka, just arrived
at New York, is ready for service with the
exception Of her batteries. These had
been prepared for her, but the guns were
turned over to the war department owing
pressing need Other guns are available,
however, and the Topeka will be in com i.
mission within few days.
Captain Richardson Glover called dur
ing the morning to say goodbye to his
naval associates before leaving to take
command Of the gunboat Bancroft at
Hampton Roads, where she will arrive to-
morrow morning. The Bancroft will then
go to Cuba to join Admiral SAMPSON 8
Sect.
Captain Mahan, the well known naval
author and strategist, is expected daily
to assume place on the strategy board
He will be a valuable acquisition to tile
board.
The Spanish Fleet
The strategy board was in session for q
time today, but their discussions, as usual.
were guarded with much secrecy. 1t is ,ln-
Aarstood that the course Of the Spanish
fleet which left Cape Verde on Friday is a
source of much interest. If, as reported.
the fleet is actually coming this way, it
will be hailed with delight by naval an
thorities. What they have most feared
was that the Spanish ships would hug the
other side, compelling our fleets to 20 in
quest of them. If they come to Porto
Rico 1t will meet the best hopes CT the ma
val authorities here.
Secretary Alger's office was opened. but
the secretary did not come down. The Of
fcials were busy stemming the tide of