The record-union., 1898-05-06
DEWEY STILL
UNHEARD
FROM.
NJ News of Any Kind
From Philippines,
Despite Published Stories to
the Contrary.
No Apprehension, However, Felt as
TO the Safety of the Fleet.
Navy Department Officials Indignant at
Stories Coming From San Francisco
as Authentic Accounts of the
Engagement at Manila.


Long said at the close of office hours
to-day that up to that time he had re-
ceived no word from Commodore
Dewey. He added, however, that he
felt no apprehension over this lack of
news. because, in the first place, re-
ports were not expected, with the cable
from Manila cut, and, furthermore, no
fears were entertained as to Commo-
dore Deweys ability to maintain his
position. There was no doubt, the Sec
fleet had annihilated the Spanish fleet,
and with this much accomplished,
Dewey was master of the situation at
Manila 1t was suggested to Mr.. Long
that the shore batteries at Cavite and
on Corregidor Island might be source
of menace to the American fleet, but
the Secretary did not share this view,
holding that the strength of the Olym-
pia and other ships in Dewey's COM
mand was ample to make him master
of Manila Bay and its surroundings.
The department is taking steps to
render effective aid to the Commodore
in the matter of supplies, and a con-
structor of high ability is to go out
at once to repair the damages sustain
ed in the battle of Manila. Prepara-
tions for a suitable convoy for the sup
ply ships was also indicated by the
choice of a commander and officers for
the cruiser Charleston, now at Mare
Island. It is recalled at the Navy De-
partment in this connection that having
received the surrender of Manila, the
Commodore would be able to secure
any quantity of labor and of such ma
terial as a maritime city like Manila
affords for the repair of his ships. He
also would be able to place his wounded
in comfort in some of the Manila hos
pitfalls or other public buildings. 1t is
always a desire of prudent naval
commander to get his wounded ashore
at the earliest possible opportunity, as
they stand better chances Of recovery.
No news could be CLEANED at the
Navy Department relative to the move
ments of Admiral SIMPSONS ironclads,
but from the confident tone of the few
officials who are acquainted with the
policy of the department, they are ex-
pecting to hear very soon of news of
his squadron almost as interesting and
important as that received from the
Philippines last Monday. A high officer
of aIY Il
molished the theory that Admiral
Sampson was to secure the safety of
the Oregon, now on her way from Bra
zil, to join the North Atlantic squadron.
was under no apprehension about the
Oregon, for the reason that it did not
consider that the Spanish Admiral of
the Cape Verde squadron would be will
ing to risk a combat with the Oregon,
even with the great odds in his favor,
as, even if overwhelmed in the end, the
Oregon would certainly destroy one
of the Spanish ships, and perhaps two.
and the Spanish Government could not
afford to exchange pawns at this stage
of the war. That left open as possible
points of operations for Sampson either
Porto Rico or some port on the Cuban
coast, but just which theory is to be
accepted is not even hinted at by the
departmental officials.
Notice came to the State Department
from Brazil to-day that the Govern
ment had declared neutrality. There is
no cause to regret such action on the
part of Brazil. for however beneficial
the delay has been to the United States
in getting its warships safely along the
Brazilian coast. the issue of the proc
lamation just now is likely to be still
more beneficial in closing Brazilian
ports to the Spanish flying squadron if
it should be headed in that direction.
It may be noted, however, that While
the first reports We're received with lit
tie credit. the advices coming to the
Navy Department to-day, though not
conclusive, inclined the officers to the
belief that the Spanish flying squadron
really has turned back from Cape
Verde to consolidate with the home
squadron at CadiZ.
Great pressure is being brought to
bear upon the War Department to Sc
cure appointments to the Second Lieu
tenancies as recently enacted by the
Hull bill. The district applications in
clude many bright young men, and the