The Meeker herald., 1898-06-04

CecelNeu VIII eniDte uIIll 10 arm Il 1OFCe
equal to the detachment of insurgents
now in the province Of Cavite.
About two miles back of the town of
Cavite General Aguinaldo also has fine
modern breech-loading field pieces
with n moderate supply Of common
field shells and sharpnel.
The men of General Ag1iinaldO's
force are of small stature and look as
though they had not had enough to eat
for n long time, but they are very
wiry and tough. Two of them whom I
noticed We're carrying heavy forge
and four of them carried a bench with
two vises. They had taken field gun
from one of the sunken ship cruisers
and were trying to make 1t fit for SER
vice, showing marvellous patience and
perseverance. There must be some
thing out Of common about their leader,
General Aguinaldo, for whereas four
weeks ago there were not one hundred
persons in Cavite after the Spaniards
moved out. there are now more than
$500 men, capable of bearing arms,
most Of whom have assembled since
General Aguinaldo's arrival eight days
ngO. If they capture Spanish detach-
ment and arms, General AguinaldO
will be able to take the field with more
than 5000 men. He tells me his force
b limited only by the number OF rifles
he can get, but many Of the native SOL
diers Of Manila will desert to him as
soon as he attacks that place. The sue
eess Of the recent expedition that
brought the insurgents supply Of
rifles will result in large shipment
within the next two weeks and Gen
eral Aguinaldo is confident OF having
1900 men in the field before July 1st.
Admiral Dewey still holds Manila by
the throat and the Spaniards are un-
able to escape from sure starvation
or surrender. 1t is impossible to get
definite news from the city, but the
anxiety Of Europeans here, as con-
veyed through the foreign consuIs,
shows how critical must he the situa-
ton.
Our squadron keeps health very well,
not more than thirty men being on the
sick list. Captain Gridley goes home
by to-day's steamer, via Hong Kong,
suffering from rupture. Commander
Benjamin P. Lamberton takes COM
mand of the Olympia. Lieutenant
Commander Frederick Singer takes
command Of the captured transport
Manila. The weather is very hot,
The health Of officers and men con-
tinues good In spite of the severe heat
and humidity.
The natives now bring OF a plentj-
full supply of chickens, eggs, maneoes.
bananas, few pineapples, but moth
ing else.
When Captain Gridley left the
Olympia on sick leave the wardroom
officers manned a gig and rowed him
to the departing steamer and the sea-
men suddenly thrOnged the raiI for
ward and gave him hearty cheers.
A cable to the Herald from Hong
Kong, via Paris, says:
The goods seized yesterday. which
were not naval stores. but personaj
mess supplies for officers of the
cruisers, were released to-day. Yes
terday Consul Williams launch was
boarded while party on it were ont
In the harbor picknicking and
searched. but nothing contraband was
found. 1t is possible that shouId the
Hong Kong authorities continue the
annoyances n change will be made IN
the base of supplies.
About n million and n half s,tva,
dollars have already been spent in
Hong Kong.
The British cruiser Piquie, which -
turned to-day from Manila. renorfa
that 1liolO IL, quiet and that the no.
ans are in hiding up the river. There
are sixty foreigners. here, thirty Of