The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-05-06
Sampson May Have Gone to Seize
the Island.
OREGON CAN HOLD HER own.
Navy Department Not Worrying
About the BattIeshlp.

Washington, May 5.-Secretary Long
said, at the close of Office hours to-day
that up to that time he had received no
word from Commodore Dewey. He added,
however, that he felt no apprehension over
this lack of news, because, in the first
place, reports were not expected with the
cable from Manila cut and, Furthermore,
no fears were entertained as to Commodore
Deweys ability to maintain his position
There was no doubt, the secretary said,
that Commodore Dewey's fleet had ami
hilated the Spanish feet, and, with this
much accomplished, Commodore Dewey
was master of the situation at Manila.
The department is taking steps to rem
der effective aid to the commodore in the
matter of supplies and Constructor Will
liam L. Clapp, now at San Francisco, 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 commander and officers
for the cruiser Charleston, now at Mare
Island. 1t is recalled at the navy depart
ment In this connection that having re-
ceived the surrender of Manila, the COM
modore would be able to secure any guam
tity of labor and of such material as a
maritime city like Manila affords for the
repair of his ships. He also would be able
to place his wounded in some one of the
Manila hospitals or other public buildings.
No news could be learned at the navy de-
partment relative to the movements of
Admiral Sampson's ironclads, but from
the confident tone of the few officials who
are acquainted with the policy of the de-
partment they are expecting to hear very
soon of news from his squadron almost as
interesting and important as that receiv-
ed from the Philippines.
high officer of the administration to-
day almost demolished the theory that
Admiral Sampson was going to succor the
Oregon, now on her way from Brazil TO
join the North Atlantic squadron. He de-
clared that the navy department was un-
der no apprehension about the Oregon for
the reason that 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 overwhelmed in the
end, the Oregon certainly would destroy
one of the Spanish ships and perhaps
more and the Spanish government could
not afford 70 exchange pawns at this Stage
OF the war. That left open as possible
points of operations for Admiral Sampson
either Porto Rico or some port on the Gu
ban coast but just which theory is to be
accepted is not even hinted at by the de-
partmental officials
Notice came to the state department from
Brazil to-day that that government had
declared neutrality. There is now no cause
TO regret such action on the part of Brazil,
Tor however beneficial the delay has been
10 this government in getting its warships
safely along the Brazilian coast, the issue
oI the proclamation just now is likely to be
sun more beneficial in closing Brazilian
ports to the Spanish flying squadron if it
should be headed in that direction. 1t may
oe noted, however, that while
the first reports were re-
ceiyed with little credit, the advices
coming to the navy department to-day,
though not conclusive, inclined the officers
70 the belief that the Spanish flying squad
ron really has turned back from Cape
verde to consolidate with the home squad
Ton at Cadiz
the navy department will ship 100000
pounds powder to Commodore Dewey to
aad to the stock he now has left. This,
with the large number of s-inch armor
rercing projecHles, shells and six and FIVE
inch rife will make the shipment of am
inuhltion very large one. The powder and
sHot together will give 500 rounds for the
p's guns and several thousand rounds for
The rapid-are rifles.
DEWEY Now nnUEnNnn CENrRAT