The daily morning journal and courier., 1898-12-22
SECRET SERVICE IN THE WAR
THE DANGEROUS YORK OF ENSIGN
 II. 1T. WARD.

In Disguise He Entered CadIz After War
 Was Declared-Arrested in Porto Rico
 ns spy-Ensign Buck ns Spy
 Dewey's opinion of the Importance of
 the Philippines.
 Washington. Dec. 21.-The official re- ports of all commanding officers of the navy during the war have been com- piled and published by the navy depart ment. While treating of events that have already figured in published off, many minor reports that throw side lights on interesting phases of the war. In the brief record of the proceedings of the naval war board an unknown hero is brought to light in the person of En- sign H. H. Ward, who at the beginning of the war was on duty in the naviga- tion bureau, alternating with First Lieutenant Whittlesey, in the duties of assistant to the chief of the bu- reau. He volunteered for secret service in July, and exploits about which noth- ing has been said in the past, may we'll be placed on record beside those of Lieutenant Rowan in Cuba and Lieu- tenant Whitney in Porto Rico.
 Within week after the declaration of war Ensign Ward disguised himself and went straight into the heart of the enemys country, making his headquar- ters at Cadiz, the principal Spanish station, and informed the navy depart ment here of the actual strength of the spanish naval vessels and of their. movements. Then he went to the West Indies and reported everything that was going on there of importance to the American navy. Next he went in dis guise to Porto Rico, where he was ar- rested as a suspect and a spy By. adroitness he managed to secure his re- lease and, escaping from San Juan cab- led the navy department a full account of the state of the defenses there and the preparations making for the recep- tion of the Spanish squadron under Cer- vera. All this time even the officials of the navy department were under the impression that Mr. Ward was engaged in installing a system of coast signals on the New England coast. While Ward was in Porto Rico, Ensign Buck, another attache of the navigation bu- reau, was on the shores of the Medi- terranian in disguise, watching every movement of the squadron under Ad- miral Camara, which started for the Philippines, but turned back. Of the strategy board itself, it is said that it was part of its duty to keep informed of all the movements, resources and plans of the Spanish naval forces through secret agents, and it is now known that the navy was thus inform ed of all important movements. At times, however, information was con- flicting and decisions had to be made as to which report wa strue.
 Under the head of the precautionary orders appear in the volume instruc- tions to all the United States ships abroad to stock their bunkers with the best coal obtainable and to keep them full. Admiral Dewey was told long be- fore the declaration of war, on Febru- ary 25: In the event of war with Spain your duty will be osee that the Spanish squadron does not leave the Atlantic coast, and to commence of fensive operations in the Philippines. Keep Olympia until further orders.
 The admirars opinion of the import ance of the Philippine Islands is set out in the following telegram sent in answer to an inquiry from the govern ment:
 Manila, Aug. 20, 1898. Secretary of the Navy, Washington:
 Referring to the departments tele- gram of August 13, important islands are Colon, Luzon. Cebu, Negros, Leyte Others, owing to the nature of the inhabitants, have a small amount of civilization, want of cultivation. These may be neglected especially Isles of Southern group. Luzon is in all re- spects the most desirable> to retain. Contains most important commercial ports. Manila is furthest north. Pro- duces all of the good tobacco. Friend- ly natives. Civilization somewhat ad- vanced. Not yet developed. Possible rich minerals. Population 325,000; Subic Bay best harbor for coaling purposes and military. Water deep; land lock- ed easily defended. Strategically, command of bay and city of Manila with arsenal at Cavite, most valuable. Panaya, Cebu, Negros thickly populat- ed. most civilized and we'll cultivated. Iloilo commercial port, center of sugar trade, a good harbor strategically; in view of the situation, good for defence. Cebu third commercial port; good har- bor, very desirable; no coal of good quality can be procured in Philippine islands. Some has been mined in Cebu. English company. trust it may not be necessary to order me to Washing ton. Should regret very much to leave here while matters remain in present critical condition.
 Dewey.