The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-05-01
YESTERDAYS DEVELOPMENTS.

Heet have been received by the
Navy Department. Dispatches
from HOng-kong say the American
squadron has not gone to Manila,
but is lying of the coast of the
Philippines endeavOring to COM
umnicate with the insurgents. 1t
is not believed Admiral Dewey
will attempt to capture Manila
until he is supported by a large
land force of rebels. His prime OBJ
Ject is to secure a cOalinG station
and base of operations. The Span
ish fleet is of the harbOr of the
capital, where 1T will probably re-
main until chased inside. The en-
trance to the bay is said to be de-
Tended by many heavy guns which
could only be passed by armOred
battle ships. No European power
has protested against the proposed
blockade of Manila, and no heed
will be paid to remonstrances, If
any are made. The authorities at
Washington think the United
States is as much justified I'm pro-
tecting it's interests i'm the far
East as are the powers which have
seized portions Of Chinese terri
tory. Germany and Britain will
send vessels to the Philippines
simply to protect the interests of
their subjects.
Nothing is known at Washington
concerning the movements of the
formidable Spanish fleet which
sailed from the Cape Verde islands
on Friday. The second fleet, con-
sisting OF three torpedo boats and
two conveys, which returned to st.
Vincent after being in collision,
has started for the Canaries again,
but in such a disabled condition
that tow lines were necessary. A
United States scout ship will prob
ably watch Porto Rican waters in
order to prOnptIy notify Admiral
Sampson of the arrival of the big
Spanish feet, if Porto Rico should
prove to be it's destination. An inn
pOrtant naval movement has prob
ably been decided on, but it's ma
ture is unknown to the public.
The flying squadron is under or
ders to sail, several of the big aux
Hilary cruisers have put to sea,
the San Francisco left Brooklyn
navy yard late yesterday after
noon, and the New Orleans will
leave to-day.
A bulletin from Rio de JaneirO
announces the arrival there of the
battle ship Oregon from San Fran
cisco, after n long trip around the
Horn. The dynamite cruiser Mic
therOy, recently purchased from
the Brazilian government, is still
at Rio de JaneirO, and will prob
ably accompany the Oregon and
gumbOat Marietta nOrthward. If
it should appear that the Spanish
feet is headed i'm the direction of
Brazil to cut off the Oregon, the
Navy Department will send a for
midable squadron south to protect
her. 1t is possible the first battle
in Atlantic waters may take place
off the Brazilian coast.
The steamship Paris has arrived
at New York from Southampton
after stnrny voyage. Only two
vessels were sighted on the trip
across the Atlantic. Captain Wat
kins says he had no fear OF Span
ish war ships after getting into
the open sea. The course taken by
the Paris was a little north of her
usual route.
Admiral SIMPSONS flagship New
York has been compelled to give
the Spaniards another taste of
American shells. According to one
report cava1rymen patrOIIing the
shore at Port Cabanas fired vol
ley al the bIOclHaders, and the flag
ship turned it's guns loose and
scattered the bold guards. AnOth-
er story says Admiral Sampson ST.
fenced the forts at the same place
by several vveII-directed shots. The
torpedo boat FOOte chased two
gunbOats into Cabanas harbOr aft
err an exchange of shots. One of
the Spanish vessels was hit. This
incident is turned into a "victOry"
by Captain General BlancO.
The President has the naming Of
nearly four hundred officers under
the new law for the reOrganiZa-
tiOn of the regular and volunteer
army Applicants LOT tHc pOsAAioHs
are numerous, but no appoint
ments have yet been made. Gen.
Granville NJ. Dodge was forced to
decline the senior major general
ship ON account of physical disa-
biIity. The first army of invasion
continues to move CubaWard
from Chickamauga, Mobile and
New Orleans. Cubans at Key West
are enIisting with the view of re-
turning to the island and assist
ing in the work OF liberation.
Spaniards suspected of acting as
spies are reported at several
places, but they are being closely
watched. Rumors of plots at Tam
pa are current. The POstOffice De-
partment has taken action to pre-
vent the transmission of treason
able information through the
mails. Suspicious letters will be
turned over to the military au-
thOrities.