The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-05-18
THREE
FLEETS
MISSING.

Continues From flrst GdSe.)
occupation OF Manila harbor on the po-
litical basis, but this cannot be said Of
the unfortunate inhabitants OF Manila il
the present situation is proLracted I'M
duly.
IL is no small matter 20 organize and
transport an expedition Of 1900 or H..
900 soldiers six thousand miles across tho
sea at short notice. The indications are
that within a week some Of the soldiers
at least Will be on their way from San
Francisco following the Charleston, which
is expected to leave at any moment with
"A fun supply most urgently needed by the
Admiral.
THE MANILA EXPEDITION.
There are indications that the var De
partment has been brought 70 see the
wisdom and fairness Of the suggestions
thrown out by Major-General Merritt
that his expedition should consist or not
less than 1900 men and that at least
third OF them should be seasoned troops
from the regular army capable OF meet
ing on even terms the veteran Spanish
soldiers who garrison Manila To en-
deavor TO overcome the Spanish forces
with less than half their number OF
troops would seem to be a senseless pro
ceeding. in view OF the fact that there Is
no necessity for such a course. General
Merritt took occasion 70 deny very en-
phatically the accuracy OF certain news
paper interviews published this morning
which placed him in the position OF re
fusing 10 obey an order 10 proceed 20
the Philippines because his force was in
sufficient The officials at the Depart
ment. upon seeing these publications. dio
not hesitate to express at once their be-
lief that General Merritt was too good a
soldier 10 refuse TO obey a lawful order,
although they admitted that he might
have. as he did to-day through Inspector
General Hughes, member OF his stan.
suggest the proDriety of an increase In
the number and a betterment in the
quality of the soldiers to be assigned 10
his command.
WINDOWS BAD CONDITION.
Reports received here from Key West
show that the condition OF the little tor
pedo boat Winslow is much worse than
was supposed. and II will be necessary
in all probability for her to come 10 Nor
folk for repairs. one shot smashed her
low-pressure starboard cylinder and an
other traversed one of her boilers. Il
would be possible TO get alon= under one
boiler and reduce the starboard engine
from a quadruple TO a triple expansion.
but the efficiency OF the boat would be
very much lowered thereby.
Following a few days late upon the
news OF the terrific assault on the Wins
low and her disablement came through
the malls an official report from Com.
mander McCalla OF an engagement the
| little boat was in a day or two before
she came 10 grief. II reflects great credit
upon the officers and men OF the craft,
and was promptly made public by the
navy department. II reads as follows:
SOME EXCELLENT WORK.
STEAMSHIP MACHIAS. OFF CUBA,
Nav II, ls9S-The Machias, Wilmington.
Hudson and Wnslow proceeded in as Tar
az the distractions would allow. The
Machias took up position about 2'lOo yards
northeast OF Diana Key
The Wilmington. with the Hudson and
Winslow. proceeded between Romery
and Blanco Keys. where / felt quite GER
tain there were no mines, depths OF water
by the chart being I 3-f fathoms. The
vessels found no trouble In entering ana
were soon steaming into Cardenas Bay.
| I opcned fire on Diana Key signal sta
/ ton and sent the launch. with Ensign
| Willard IN charge 20 take possession OF
tho station and find the wires and eN-
Dlode the mines II possible 1r cut them'
| No wires were found. however. although
| strict search was ildAo A't 80 49, 80
! island and by dredging around H.
Mr.. Willard accomplished the work In
| an excellent manner. destroying the sta
tion and all government property when
had been abandoned in very hurried
| manner. and hoisted the American nag
| an the signal station and brought on
board the Spanish flag together Win the
| signal apparatus 80 r.,
| 40 p. NJ. fire opened from the Hud-
| SON and Winslow and was continued uI-
| iii 2 p. ~. when the vessels returned u
the outer anchorage. NJ
STILL PREPARING TO SAIL
sAN FRANCISCO. CAL, May l"-The
| Charleston is preparing to san LOT Ma
| Mia within the next twenty-iour houis'
| IL A. now certain that she VIII precede the
| civ OF Pekin. which IS 10 take the hrs'
| detachment Of troops 20 the philippines.
The first real work. indicative as 10 inc
time the CITY OF Pekn will depart, took
nloce To-day. A squad OF men from the
| Presidio. was detailed TO store her pro-
| visions ana arrangements are being per-
,ected for the quartering Of the men who
will 20 with her TO join Admiral Dewey.
The city Of Sydney and tho Australia
| are being coaled.
MANILA MAY CAPITULATE.
LONDON. Nav 1S.-The Hong Kong
| CORRESPONDENT Of the Standard says:
II is expected. owing 10 the strict DOCK
ode and the famine resulting from ~
| that the city of Manila will soon he com
+, neue1 10 capltulate to the American
block9dlng squadron under Admiral De
! wey. ,,-r.
dated May 18th, says:
"As a means of keeping the natives
lovai and inducing them TO refrain IRON
assisting the Americans Goyernor-Gcn
eral August has instituted an assembly
composed Of fifteen members OF mixed
and native blood. Its president Is SenU
Paterno. who achieved the late peace
and accompanied the rebels TO HONG
| Kong In December.
| preparations are being made 70 senC
food supplies 10 outlying districts II
case OF a bombardment
The Archbishop OF Manila appoints
June 18th as a day OF rejoicing at M
renewed conservation Of the Philippine
Islands to the sacred heart OF Jesus
| WILL ATTACK THE CITY.
| LONDON. May ls.-The Hong Konl
correspondent OF the lines. telegrapmnl
Tuesday, says. 4.
AgIinaldo and the principal leaders Il
the recent uprising left to-day In tn
limited States dispatch boat McCulloci
for Cavlte. They will attempt 10 per
suade the natives 10 attack Manila In
few DAYS. They have promised Admlra
Dewey 10 regulate their conduct IN &c
cordance with the principles OF human
ity. ,o,,
TO complete their conquest before the ar
rival OF the troops from San francisco