New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-07-26
WITH THE FLEET OFF MANILA
THE SITUATION IN THE CITY GROWING
MORE DESPERATE
ADMIRAL pEwEY's STRICT DISCIPLINE
sPANIARDs MAKING INTRENcHMENTs.
rny rrtronaru TO THE TninrSE.l


outer line, and back Of them are the Raleigh
the Petrol and the McCulloch and the transports
and coal ships including the Manila the Calao.
the Zafro the Nanshan and the Cyrus. Cavite'
now the Headquarters OF the rebels and town
OF growing activity, is behind ther and up the
bay can he seen the besleged city, with the
feet Of foreign warships behind II. Corregidor
IL IN view to the westward; the lookout has
full sweep Of the bay.
The rigid discipline that the hour and the
situation call for prevails throughout the entire
fleet In the hours OF daylight every passing
craft Is overhauled and questioned and at night
surveillance is doubled. All lights go out at
dusk double line OF picket boats surrounds the
feet. and the great electric searchlights sweep
the harbor. The orders direct that sentries shall
hail approaching boats twice and then tre
across their bows. II that brings no response
they are directed to fire at them. Ammunition
stands behind every gun, and at night the crews
sleep at the guns. 1t brings the realization OF
war 10 the otherwise peaceful scene with rush
when the call CT the sentry comes over the
water and the bright rays Of the great electric
searchllghts bring day to night
GUARDING AGAINST TO2PEDoES.
e On Monday night 1t was reported that the
gunboats Zebu and Aquaris had come out Of
the Pasig River and were below the bridge pre-
pairing for a torpedo attack. Admiral Dewey
romptly issued orders Cor additional precau-
tons. The crews slept at their guns with one
man on his feet The lookouts and senrles
were doubled. and the lights were kept going
constantly. II just the night for such an
attack. for it very dark. and rain fell In
torrents. All through he Ions night the fleet
was on the alert. but there no attack
When morning dawned ;he Admiral ordered
the Boston. the Petrol and the Callao TO cruise
down to the mouth of the Pasig. Their cruise
created considerable excitement in Manila for
they raised close 10 the harbOr-front. They
saw nothing OF the ships they were seeking. and,
although there had been considerable specula-
ton as to their whereabouts, 1t is thought that
they are still in the river. II is the intention.
however, to keep the closest watch possible, and
to convoy dispatch boats 10 place Of safety.
The men of the feet continue in exceilen.
health The hot suns Of May have given way
to milder ones. and the rainy is The
rain offers dangers, but great care is being exer
cised The fleet needs fresh food but relief
from home and Australia is expected shortly.
DESPERATION IN MANILA.
The situation in Manila grows more desperate
hourly The Spanards at last cOncede that the in
surgents are hemming them in. and fear that
the water supply Of that city will be cut of.
The loss Of thrty-fve hundred prisoners has
told severely and the city IL growing hungry.
The desperate Spaniard partially vents his
spleen on the Engshmen in Manila, but dares
not go too far Over the door Of the Spanish
military club there is placard making filthy
reference to Englishmen. The Spaniards are re-
ported to be intrencking one Of the hills back of
the city, with he idea Of making their last
stand there The position In question is said to
be very strong.
The naval officers do not believe that it will
he ever used however for they are convinced
that when the American troops arrive and the
first real menacing movement against the city
is made August will hoist the white flag. II
there is fight it will be short and sharp Ad
niral Dewey says he can reduce and take the
Mace In an hour. He will have trouble in
sencing the batteries. and can make the city
an undesirable place to live in In ten minutes
after he opens fire.
PLANS FOR THE TROOPS.
on land the American troops will cooperate
with the insurgents ard cut off the rear. 1t is
not going TO be hard for the American troops to
campaign about Manila. the country offers no
serious physical difficulties. Deweys men are
anxious for the advance, and they will go up to
Manila with song and cheer They have
now rested on their arms for nearly seven
weeks. and are ready.
This is a time when the American away from
home langushes and is heavy Of heart and the
gallant Boys In Blue anxious to end 1t all
for all time and get back to knsmen The
Spanish have followed the American example
ut Santiago de Cuba and have sunk hulk at
of pocf ,pil hp M
avail however. as the American ships can do
their work from the outside. The cruise of the
Boston and the Concord cleaned that bit of in
formation.
While the Boston and the Concord were off
the city the Spanish gunners Of the batteries
trained their guns on them, but they have evil
IDENTIFY remembered the promise Of Dewey 10 re-
turn their fire. for they contented themselves
with the antics of aiming. The saucy little
Callao passed very close to shore, Haunting de-
flance to the Dons. and the crew got good.
clear view OF the lower portion of the city
Admiral Dewey himself went close to the city
on Sunday last He returning the call OF
Vice Admiral Won Dieder!chs. Of the Kaiserln
Augusta. the German flagship. and was taken
up on the Concord. which passed close to the
shore. The Admiral made some mental notes
for future reference.
The latter Is perhaps the most indefatgable
man in the ship Aided by Flag Lieutenant
Brumby. Captain Lamberton Of the olympia
and Ensign Caldwell his secretary. he is always
az work He Is at the master Of every de-
tail in the conduct OF the feet and hiy vigilance
for tie safety OF his men and ships and the
cess OF the Nations cause is constant He is
a dIsciplInaran and decisive. His men respect.
admire trust ami obey him.
THANKS TO ADMIRAL. DEWEY
Washington July 25.-Secretary Long to-day
forwarded to Admiral Dewey the joint resou-
ton OF Congress extending the thanks OF Con-
gross Tor the victory achleved III Cavite. The