The herald., 1898-05-06
GOOD REASON IS GIVEN
FOR THINKING THE ADMIRAL
is ALL RIGHT
OFFICIALS ARE NOT WORRIED
By Any Fear That the Goblin Spanish
Fleet Will Capture the Oregon
and Marietta
Associated Press Special Wire

Associated Press Special Wire
WASHINGTON, May 5-Although nat
urally anxious to hear from Commodore
Dewey. the President and the members of
the Cabinet are not at all alarmed at the
non-arrival of news from Manila. 1t Is
pointed out that the cable office Is about
ten miles or more distant from the city,
and that the connecting land line is un-
doubtedly ir' the hands Of the Spanish.
These, it is assumed, cannot be dislodged
by the Commodore with the landing force
now at his disposal. The Commodore, 1t
Is said, may have been compelled to send
q slov vessel out or he may be waiting to
send news of the surrender of the islands.
In lny event the contingencies are such
tht no definite time can be fixed for the
arrival of the report.
Nor are the President and his advisers
disturbed at the situation of the Oregon
and Marietta They have no fear that the
Cape Verde fleet Is en- route to intercept
them for the reason that such move
would be the highest folly. In case OF an
attack 1t is confidently believed that the
Oregon would sink at least one or two of
her assailants, so that II the enemy sue
ceeded in defeating her he would have
suffered an equal or greater loss himself.
This exchange the Spaniards are in no
position to make.
Although the government has had no
official news of the present whereabouts
of the Cape Verde fleet, no doubt is ex-
pressed that it has returned to Cadiz, as
reported by the Lloyds. Wherever 1t is the
government has no reason to hope that 1t
will venture into these waters.
Orders for Dewey
NEW YORK, May 5.-A special to the
Herald from Washington says:
Anticipating early communication with
Commodore Dewey, Commander-in-Chief
of the Asiatic Squadron, Secretary Long
sent to Hong Kong today a long cablegram
containing instructions for the future
guidance Of the American naval officer.
This message, 1t is believed, related to
the plans made by this Government for
Immediately dispatching troops to his as
sistance should he deem such action nee
= essary. Approaching that a considerable
amount of the ammunition of the American
vessels has been expended, Secretary Long
has directed that a large quantity of shot
and powder be sent to Manila in steamer
which will at once be chartered by the
Government
Considerable apprehension is felt III
naval circles at the probability of a mas.
sacre of Spaniards in Manila by the insur-
gents, who. it is believed, aided Commodore
Dewey in the capture of the city. OPP
pressed as they have been by the Span
iards, the officers with whom your cores
pondent conversed said they had no doubt
that as soon as they had the chance they
would attempt retaliation.
Commodore Dewey" said one of the
gentlemen, will undoubtedly request the
commanding officers of the British and
German men-of-war to land marines to
protect property of their respective citi-
zens. So far as Manila is concerned,
have not the slightest doubt that 1t is in
the possession of the American forces
Manila proper was protected by a wall
erected 800 years ago, and this wall was
fortified by some antiquated guns, the rest
of the work-I mean the capture Of the city
was comparatively easy task, and with
out doubt 1t was successfully performed
by the courageous American f1ag-officer."
Emergency Repairs
WASHINGTON, May 5.-The Secretary
of the Navy today ordered Naval Con-
structor William l.. Capps, now at the
q Union Iron Works, San Francisco, to pro-
ceed at the earliest moment on the steamer
City of Pekin, just chartered by the Navy
Department, to meet Commodore Dewey's
squadron at Manila. Mr.. Capps will select
from the Mare Island force number of ex-
perienced and intelligent workmen to take
with him. In addition he will place on the
Pekin full supply Of machine tools, steel
plate and all the materials that are likely
to be needed to make temporary repairs
to ship in distress. The purpose of the
department in making this order is to put
Commodore Dewey's fleet at the earliest
possible moment into first-class condition,
repairing all the damage sustained in the
engagement and In addition to this to raise
and repair any of the Spanish ships either
surrendered or sunk in the engagement
that are capable of being navigated again.
May Be Corked In
CHICAGO, May 5.-A special to the Jour-
nal from Washington says the. fear that
Dewey may be bottled up in Manila harbor
is gaining ground. 1t is recollected that the
entrance to Manila bay is through chan
mel planted with deep mines. Dewey passed
over these silently in the night and no op-
portunity was given the Spanish to fire
them. Now If he has not forced surren-
der Of the city and gained control Of the
switchboard used in firing the submerged
eAplUSlVSS Ill dIItIlpC 10 leave Tue narDOr
by any one of the ships composing the
Asiatic squadron would be met by an at
tack from the mines.
A War Governor
CHICAGO, May 5.-A special to the Jour-
nal from Washington says: Senator Will
liam J. Sewell of New Jersey. who has been
appointed major general by the presi-
dent, may be selected to act as military
governor of the Philippines. He is wise
in statecraft and possesses extraordinary
military experience and ability. He will
be just the man, officials are saying today,
to administer affairs in Manila. He is a
shrewd diplomat and will be equal to the
many emergencies that will arise from the
jealousies that are engendered in Europe
where the victory Of Manila is already be-
ginning to have its effect.
The Fakir Denounced
WASHINGTON, May 5-The officials OF
the Navy Department from the Secretary
down are thoroughly indignant at the sto.-
les coming from San Francisco as authen-
tic accounts Of the engagement Of Com
@odors Dewey at Manila. One In partic-