The record-union., 1898-07-23
SEVERAL
EVENTS OF
IMPORTANCE.
AguinaIdo Has Declared
a Dictatorship.
German EInbassador Visits the
President.
Important Report From Sampson Of
the Success at Nipa.
RohsOn Arrives at the Navy Department
and Meets With an Enthusiastic
Reception From Secre-
tary Long.
Important Report From Sampson Of
the Success at Nipa.


several events of interest, if not of i'm
portance, at the War and Navy De-
partments to-day.
General Anderson, at Cavite, sent
message saying that Aguinaldo had de-
clared a dictatorship and martial law
over the Philippines, something that
gave the Cabinet food for consideration
at their regular meeting to-day. There
was no disposition to force any issue
With the insurgent chief at this time,
but it is pretty well understood that he
viii not be allowed to commit the
United States Government in the future
treatment OF the Philippines question.
The visit of the German ambassador
TO the President and 10 the Secretary
of State was a basis for the belief that
he had called TO make some representa-
ton on the subject, and perhaps, as
well on the question of peace, as af
fected by the program laid down by
Watsons projected voyage to European
waters. If so no official confirmation
was obtainable and "a friendly visit
was the only explanation offered by
Secretary Day for the appearance of the
German Embassador in the dog days
in Washington. The Embassy people
We're no more communicative, so that if
anything Of Importance passed during
the meeting between the President and
Dr. Won Holleben, it probably will be
revealed only in the shape Of action
later on.
- would not be surprising If it should
develop that strong European influences
are being brought to bear to dissuade
the Navy Department from dispatching
Watsons fleet TO Europe. but so far
they appear to have been Intellectual,
for il is stated that the departure of
the squadron is only delayed, not aban-
d0ned.
Although General Miles reported by
cable to-day from Mole St. Nicholas,
Hayti. that The was moving along Well"
with the first detachment of the mill
tary expedition against Porto Rico, the
body Of his dispatch preceding this
statement gave rise al first to the APP
prehension that. like General Shafter
at Santiago. General Miles was threat
ened with a costly delay in landing his
expedition on Porto Rican soil, owing
to the absence Of lighters and tugs. 1t
was said at the War Department later
on that some of these lighters were al
ready on their way from New Orleans
and New York. and that no serious de-
lay would arise on that score. 1t APP
pears from General Miles first state
rnent relative to Colonel Becker, that
he was not acquainted with the neces
sity that had arisen for that officers
presence in Washington, in order 70
provide for the speedy transportation
10 Spain of the troops surrendered at
Santiago.
The brief report from Admiral Samp-
son, declaring the success Of the eXpedi-
tion TO Nipe. is really more important
than appears on the surface. The Bay
Of Nipe lies on the north coast OF Cuba,
almost across the island from Santiago.
II is proposed to establish a base there,
which Will save at least two days time
in getting supplies into Cuba. as COM
pared with the Santiago route. It viii
also form q good point of operation
against Hoguin, not far distant, and If
it should develop unfortunately that a
restraining hand must be laid upon the
Cubans themselves Nipe in connection
with Santiago would be an effective
means of doing this. The War Depart
ment has not yet been informed that
General Skaters Cuban allies have
Quit the American lines for the reasons
sent out in the printed letter by Gen
eral Garcia. but it Is scarcely doubted
that such is the case, for the friction
has been growing more pronounced ev-
ery day since the fall Of Santiago. and
1t is feared that a severance of rela-
tions cannot be longer avoided. That
the Cuban Junta is still hopeful of
avoiding such a measure is evidenced
by the confidence shown by Senior Que
sada. one of the Cuban Legation here.
in an amicable settlement.
The last and most agreeable event of
the day was the arrival at the Navy
Department of Lieutenant Hobson. the
hero of the Merrimac.
The officials were not informed of his
approaching visit except through the
newspapers Consequently, when ne
reached the railway station here, at
2:3S o'clock this afternoon, there was
no official there to meet him and his
reception was truly democratic. He
succeeded in escaping observation as
he passed through the trainshed. coat
and umbrella in hand. and followed oy
porter proudly carrying his basgage.
but before he emerged from the sta
tion someone spied him and in a mo-
ment the station resounded with vocif-
erOCs shouting. The cry of HHobSon,
Hobson" rang out, and the crowd closed
In about him, shaking his hand ana