The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-05-13
TO OCCUPY PHILIPPINES.
Gen. Wesley Merritt Has Been Ordered to
Manila.

Washington, May 12-The United States
will establish temporary government
over the Philippine islands. Orders have
been issued for Major General Wesley
Merritt, now commanding the depart
ment of the east at New York, to proceed
to Manila with the least possible delay for
the purpose of assuming the office of mill
tary governor of the Philippines. Similar
orders to proceed to the Philippines were
sent to Major General e. P. Otis, COM
handing the department of the Colorado
at Denver. The orders to General Otis
direct him to report to General Merritt
for duty under his direction in the
Philippine islands. General Otis will be
second in command and will act as mill
tary governor of the islands in case of the
absence or disability of General Merritt
Orders We're also issued fot the organi-
cation of an army corps of about $4,000
men for immediate duty IN the Philip
pine islands. This corps will be made up
of regulars and volunteer organizations
stationed on the Pacific coast and in the
far Western states.
General Merritt was at the war depart
ment today in consultation with the Sec
rotary of War, General Miles and the
bureau chiefs with regard to the organi-
| zation of the expedition. General Merritt
will leave this afternoon for New York to
arrange his affairs preparatory to depart
ure for San Francisco. He said that it
was his purpose to sail from San Fran
cisco as soon as possible. The troops for
| the expedition will probably depart before
General Merritt reaches the Golden Gate
and General Otis will command them at
the Philippines until the arrival of Gen.
Merritt.
WHAT WE MAY EXPECT,
London, May 12-There are signs that
the continental powers have already taken
steps in the fruits of the American victory
at Manila. Germany has intimated to
the United States, it is said here. that she
expects to have a voice in the disposition
OF the Philippine islands, basing her
claim on German interests in those
islands.
CONCORD SUNK A GUNBOAT.
Now York, May IA Hong Kong
spe ,ial despatch says that trading vessel
just arrived from the Philippines, reports
having seen the American gunboat Con-
cord engage and sink, after two hours of
fighting, Spanish warship off the City
OF llollo. 1t is understood that there is
only one other Spanish warship in Asiatic
waters.
Admiral Dewey's plan is reported to be
to capture the cities of Iloilo and Cebu,
the only ports in the Philippines beside
Manila, OF consequence.
DESPERATE AND STARVING IN
MANILA.
Hong Kong, May J2, p. NJ, Green
witch time.-The British second class gun
vessel Linnett has arrived here with news
from the Philippine islands, She left
Manila on Monday last and reports that
the insurgents are uncomfortable. The
whole country, it appears, is in state OF
anarchy and Rear Admiral Dewey is
powerless to restore order. The Spaniards
are confident of being able to hold out.
They allege they have ample supplies
Tor 20, 900 regular troops and thousands
OF volunteers beyond the reach Of the
United States 'warships, and they are de-
tying the Americans in the hope of
European intervention.
Two German warships, one French
warship and warship' of Japan are at
Manila.
A Russian vessel is expected there
shortly.
A strong anti British feeling exists
among the populace at Manila and the
people are desperate and starving.
TO GIVE DEWEY A SWORD.
Washington, May 12.-The House COM
mlttee on naval affairs has favorably re-
ported to tbs House without amendment
ne Senate resolutions for the presentation
OF sword OF honor to Commodore George
DeWey ana to provide medals to COM
memorate the battle at Manila bay to
tne omcers and men of the Asiatic squad
fnd C%a%n