The weekly intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1891-1901, 1898-05-21
MERRITT MAY NOT GO
The General Desires More Regular
Troops for Occupying Manila.
Not willing to Start with 1000 Trained
Men and 1900 UndIsc!plIned Ones
Dewey Again Heard from In
an Agreeable Manner.

NEW YORK, May IL. Maj. Gen. Wes-
ley Merritt may not go to the Philip
pine islands in command of the troops
to be sent to the assistance of Rear Adj
miral Dewey, and to take charge of
the territory when in American pos
session as military governor. Ever
since his return from Washington,
whittier he was summoned last week
for conference, before the announce
ment was made that he was to COM
mand the the Manila expedition, Gen.
Merritt has been busily arranging for
his departure In an interview last
night Gen. Merritt said:
Il may not go to the Philippines at all 1t is
proposed to give me 49, 900 men, only 900 OF
them regulars and the rest volunteers and
those from the northwest, who have had little
opportunity for training and discipline IhaVe
asked the department for at least 1000 more
regular troops for believe that they will be
required. There will be no opportunity to
train the volunteer forces before the start or
after they get to Manila want enough dis
cplined troops so that the whole body will be
as effective as possible
"How can the Charleston start II there are
no men readyg'
Gen. Otis may be willing to go on without
four more regiments OF regular troops and take
only 1000 trained men, with 1000 undisciplined
ones. but am not do not propose to go
u
shall stay right here II do not go to the Phil
ippines- don't expect anything will be done
in the matter until It is certain what 1 am
have for the purpose Of the expedition"
Dewey ls All Right.
WASHINGTON, May 1.-THE dis
patches from Hong Kong brought well
come news yesterday from Adm
Dewey to the president and particu-
larly to Secretary Long and the naval
toll NH fa1 In he a r.
ais movements with SO much Interest.
While>Qo apprehension existed as to
his security, nevertheless reinsurance
of safety is always pleasant. The tele-
grams indicate that Dewey has lost
none of the prestige gained in
his memorable fight of two weeks
from taking the city of Manila,
he has it practically at his mercy. The
admiral expresses the belief that the
rebels are hemming the city in by land,
but the fact that he says explicitly
that they have made no demonstrations
seems to disprove thoroughly the pub
entered Manila and begun a career of
bloodshed and rapine.
The dispatch as given out by Secre-
tary Long is as follows:
CAvTTE, May 49, via Hong Kong, May 15-
Maintaining strict blockade Reason to believe
that the rebels are hemming in the city by land
but have made no demonstration Scarcity of
provisions in Manila Probable that the Span
ish governor will be Obliged to surrender soon.
Can take Manila at any moment Climate hot
and moist On May ~ captured gunboat Callao
attempting to run blockade. Have plenty of
coal One British, one French two German,
one Japanese vessel here observing DEWEY.
August Thinks He Can Hold Out.
LONDON. May 1.-THE Madrid corre-
spondent of the Standard says:
Very conflicting news has reached Madrid
from Official and private sources concerning
the state Of affairs in the Philippines Capt
Gen Augusti seems confident that he will be
able to resist the American war vessels for
some time. His reports to the disposition
Of the garrison and inhabitants are excellent
The principal dificulties the rise in prices.
the scarcity OF provisions and the unsettled
state of the interior OF the country.