The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1898-05-12

was caused throughout the city by the
news that came yesterday morning of
the arrival of Il vessel supposed to be
the dispatch boat McCulloch at Mrs
bay, forty miles from HOngkong. the
cable terminus. The officials immedi-
ately fell into an air Of expectancy.
waiting for some word from Admiral
Dewey that would not only confirm Of
hcially the stirring news Of the battle
or Manila as reported by the press but
telling what had happened since the
cable was interrupted. Up 10 the close
Of office hours no word had come from
Hongkong, and the officials who be-
lieve that the McCulloch was really in
Mrs bay were put to devising in
gcnious explanations of the delay in
the receipt of a cablegram These
touched upon the twelve hours differ
ence in time. the distance from Mrs
bay 10 IlOngkOng, which had TO be
overcome by the messenger. and the
SlowncSs of cable communication Ow-
ing 10 the number of relays on the
enormously long circuit from Hong
kong To New York
Some of the other naval officers.
however, who Steadfastly contended
that Admiral Dewey would not have
sent away his dispatch boat until he
had completed his dispatch and re-
ceived the surrender of Manila. point
ed out that if they were right in their
assumption il would not be possible for
the McCullOch to reach Hongkong be-
fore this evening. Great interest is
felt in the reported return of the
Spanish Cape Verde Fleet
to CadiZ, but, while admitting the pos
sibility of the fast vessels of the Span
ish flying squadron making the pass
age in five days that the vessels have
been out from ST. Vincent, the naval
officers We're disposed 10 regard with
great suspicion news OF this kind cma-
mating from Portugal. because of the
recognized sympathy of the Portu-
guesc with the Spanish side Ii would
be worth Il good deal To the Spanish
admiral commanding the flying squad
ron, suppOsing he were on his way
across the Atlantic, 10 throw us off our
guard by having us believe that he had
returned 10 Spain.
The navy department. has now Sc
cured two vessels. the Australia and
the City of Pckin in San Francisco,
which will be loaded with coal and
supplies and rushed off 10 Join Commo-
dorc Dcwey's fleet. Whether or not
they will carry troops will be deter
mined positively when the commodore
is heard from upon this matter. The
navy department is hurry ing together
T., Of
milton 10 go forward by the City Of
Pekin To recruit the ammunition Of
Commodore Dcwcy'S fleet. The supply
of powder il not so readily obtained,
as powder has been distributed TO the
several fleets and ships as fast as 1t
has come from the powder mills. But
owing to the emergency in the case OF
the Asiatic fleet powder intended for
other uses will be forwarded to San
Francisco and sent to Commodore
Dewey.
Ussfuincss of Hawaii.
No new official news has come TO
confirm the report from Hawaii that
the islands have been rendered to the
United States for war uses. 1t is said
that If the incoming mail brought the
proposition 10 San Francisco ii would
scarcely he trusted to telegraph there
on account of its Importance but
would be forwarded by the railway
mails. which would bring it here In
about five days. Without exception
the naval officers would welcome the
possession of Hawaii just at this mo-
ment as affording n magnificent base
for naval operations in the Pacific, but,
IL is said. President Dolc'S proposition
must be submitted to congress, so that
IL will be for the legislative branch in
the end To pass upon this offer
The fine British cruiser Blake left
Gibraltar yesterday, bound straight for
Rio. and it is supposed here that she
goes 10 observe any engagement that
might threaten between the Oregon
and the Spanish fleet. The monitor
Wyandotte has been ordered to Bath,
Me, where she will be manned by vol
unteers.
The nomination of a number or ma
Tor generals Is an indication OF the
purpose OF the president to avail him.
self of the full number of troops called
for by his proclamation. and even to
follow the call by another very soon,
for IL Is evident that there are moi
enough commands 10 go around prop
erIy among the officers already nom.
mated. Assistant Secretary Roose.
Welt. soon to be Lieut. Col. Roosevelt
has received several gratifying tele-
,,ron,c from the West announcing the