The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-28
READY FOR RATTLE.
Our Fleet Will Attempt to Capture
Manila and the Spanish ships.

Our Fleet VIII Attempt to Capture
Manila and the Spanish ships.
LONDON, April 2S.-The Hong-Kong cor
respondent of the Daily Mail says: United
States Consul General Williams, after
spending the evening ashore with United
States Consul Widman, accompanied the
American squadron. Thirty insurgent lead
ers here wanted to accompany 1t. but Chief
Aguinaldo goes as their representative. He
will take charge of the insurgent forces at
Manila. Admiral Dewey. has issued strict or
ters that no narbarous or inhunian acts are
to be peTpetrated by the insurgents.
THE primary object is the capture of the
Spanish feet, which Admiral Dewey thinks
more important than capturing Manila. He
is determined to prevent its preying upon
American vessels. On reaching Manila he
will demand it's capitalization within half an
hour of his arrival. His men are in the best
SPIRITS and excellent health. There have
been nine assertions, including six China
men, che Italian and one German, -ng The
fleets stay at Hong Kong. Every prepara-
ton has been made. The ships are cleaned
and painted for battle ard the general opin-
ion is that the fight in these waters will re-
suit in an easy victory for America. Her
ships carry 122 guns, as against ninety-six
or whereabouts in the Spanish fleet.
THE cooperation of the American fleet
with the rebels has been kept a strict secret.
The latter await the arrival of the feet,
when Manila must soon succumb. Its de-
lenses are in a wretched state. The Ameri-
cans in the Philippines are anxious to see
British rule established there and the pro-
posal has been favorably received here. The
Manila press, on the contrary, says there is
great enthusiasm among the population for
Spain and that an obstinate resistance will
be offered to the Americans, but the papers
qualify their bold allegation by referring to
the phlegmatic character of the natives,
which prevents any excited expression OF
opinion These journals say, too, that the
treason of few hundreds or a few thou
sand of the rebels does not affect the Vir-
tue of the race and they haughtily add
that the Philippines will prove worthy of
Spain.
THE Governor of the Philippines has is
sued several proclamations. One required
all able-bodied Spaniards to enroll them
selves for military service and accords per-
mission to foreigners to join. Exemption is
granted to all American citizens. One ex-
traordinary proclamation has excited great
dstrust here. 1t asserts that The Amer
lean people are composed of all social ex-
crescences. who have exhausted our pa
thence and provoked war with their perfid-
ious Vaccinations, their acts of treachery
and their outrages against the law of
nations. and international conventions
''rhe proclamation proceeds to say: "A
squadron manned by foreigners, possessing
neither instruction nor discipline, comes TO
this archipelago with the rutfanly intention
of robbing US of all that means life, honor
and liberty. The aggressors shall not pro-
fame the tombs OF your fathers. They shall
not crafty their Iustfui passions at the cost
of your wives and daughters They shall
not cover you with dishonor or appropriate
the property your industry has accumulat-
ed as a provision for your old age. They
shall not perpetrate any of the crimes in
spired by their wickednesss and coVetous
ness. because your valor and patriotism
Will suffice to punish this miserable people,
which, claiming to be civilized and culti-
waited. have exterminated the unhappy ma
tives of North America instead of bringing
to them the light of civilization and of
progress.
The Madrid correspondent of the Daily
Mail telegraphing Wednesday says; 1T is
thought possible in some quarters that Adj
miral Montijo commander of the Spanish
squadron at the Philippines) who has
reputation for reckless bravery and de-
! termination. but does not shine a tacti
clan, may put to sea and take the offensive.
The public is elated by the Montserrats
success which is regarded as furnishing
proof of the ineffectiyeness of the block
AIDE of Cuba
MANY Spanish vessels according to a dis
patch from Manila to the Daily Telegraph
are leaving the capital of the Philippines
crowded with passengers and carrying
American squadron is anticipating. rich
prizes.