The Portland daily press., 1898-05-06
A Report From Madrid by Way of Paris
Says Big Expedition Will be Sent
Against Yankees i'm NEanila-Tug ley
dem Landed Hts Expedition Successful
Iy-A Battle Between Insurgents anez
Spaniards Reported.


said at the close of office hours today that
up to that time he had received no word
from Commodore Dewey. He added, how
ever, that he felt no apprehension over
this lack of good news, because in the
first place reports were not expected with
the cable from Manila cut, and further
more no fears were entertained as to
Commodore Dewey's ability to maintain
his position. There was no doubt. the
Secretary said, that Commodore Dewev,s
fleet had annihilated the Spanish fleet
and with this much accomplished Dewey
was master of the situation at Manila.
1t was suggested to Mr.. Long that the
shore batteries at Cavite and on the
Coreggidor island might be @ serious
menace to the American fleet, but the
Secretary did not share this view, holding
| that the strength of the Olympia and
other ships in Dewey's command was
ample to make him master of Manila bay
and Its surroundings. The department. ia
taxing steps to render effective aid to the
Commodore in the matter of supplies and
constructor of high ability is to go out
at once to repair the damages sustained
in the battle OF Manila. Preparations for
a suitable convoy for the supply ships
was also indicated by the choice of a com
mander and officers for the cruiser
Charleston now at Mare island. 1t is
stated at the navy department that
having received the surrender of Manila.
the Commodore would be able to secure
any quantity Of labor and of such
material as maritime city like Manila
affords for the repairs. He also would be
able to place his wounded in comfort in
some of the Manila hospitals or other
public buildings
No news could be cleaned at the navy
department relative to the movements of
Admiral SIMPSONS ironclads, but from
the confident tone of the few officials &C.
quainted With the policy Of the depart
ment. it is inferred that they are expect
ing to hear very soon of news from this
squadron almost as interesting and i'm
portant as that received from the Philip
pines last Monday. A high Official of the
administration today almost demolished
the theory that Admiral Sampson was go.
ing to suocor the Oregon, now on her way
from Brazil to join the North Atlantic
squadron. He declared that the navy de-
partment was under no apprehension
about the Oregon as 1t did not consider
that the Spanish Admiral Of the Cape
Verde squadron would be willing to risk
a combat with the Oregon even with the
great odds in his favor, as, even if over
whelmed in the end the Oregon would
certainly destroy one of the Spanish ships
and perhaps more, and the Spanish gov
ernment could not afford to exchange
pawns at this stage of the war. That left
open as possible points of operations for
Sampson, either Porto Rico or some port
on tho Cuban coast. But just which
theory is to be accepted is not even hinted
by the department. officials.
Notice came to the state department.
from Brazil today that that government
had declared neutrality. There Is now
no cause to regret such action on tie part
of the Brazilian government for, however,
beneficial the delay has been to the
United States in getting it's warships
safely along the Brazilian coast, the issue
Of the proclamation just now Is likely to
be still more beneficial in closing
Brazilian ports to the Spanish flying
squadron If it should be headed in that
direction. 1t may be noted, however, that
while the first reports were received with
little credit, the advices coming to the
navy department., though not conclusive,
inclined the officers to the belief that the
Spanish flying squadron really has turned
back from Cape Verde to consolidate with
tho home squadron at Cadiz.
Great pressure is being brought to bear
upon the war department to secure an.
pointments to second lieutenancies an.
thorized by the recently enacted Hull bjIlAl
The list Of applicants includes MANY