The times., 1898-06-19
FIRST MANILA EXPEDITION
Believed That Ii Has Reached
The Philippines.
COOPERATION OF AGUINALD0
QmcinI Circles Said TO Regard His
Advances Upon the Capital of the
Islands With scRrceiy-ConceaIcd
Annfety-The Possibility Of
naendH.

''The first Philippine expedition has al
most certainly reached Manila. 1t is
under the command of Brig Gen. Ander-
son, and is composed of 27oO men, Gen
Anderson has orders to land Immediately.
al his discretion. after conference with
Admiral Dewey The Gordian knot OF
the Manila situation Is probably cut be-
fore this by the taking of the city
This statement was made by an army
officer 10 a reporter for The Times yes
ierday. II states the belief of both the
War and Navy departments. 1t is be-
lieved by all who know the situation and
who are acquainted with the plan Of the
Administration that the next news re-
ceived from Manila viii tell Of its fall
and of the raising OF the American flag
there
The Administration undoubtedly has
been greatly worried over the continued
accounts Of the successes Of Aguinaldo,
which seem 10 indicate that the capture
OF the city by him is near al hand. There
is not much fear that the insurgent
chief would be intractable despite the
geographic reports that he desires 10
found a republic; but President McKin-
were once il possession Of the capital
the temptation 10 him would be much
greater than il could be while he is act
ing simply in conjunction with the Amer
leans.
This fact, it is stated, has decided the
Administration upon immediate and ag-
gressive action. Manila will be taken by
Dewey and Anderson TO prevent Aguinal-
do from performing a similar coup d eat.
ii vii be taken al once, without waiting
for the second and subsequent eXpedi-
tions- Aguinaldo can fight with the
Americans if he desires; otherwise he
will have to fight against them.
II is believed that the second expedi-
tion will arrive by July Is. 1t is under
command Of Brig. Gen. Greene and is
composed Of 3,3O9 troops.
Although the date OF the departure Of
the third division has not been definitely
set, il is regarded as certain that s. will
leave NOT later than the latter part of
next week.
-Four vessels are being made ready for
the movement. They are the Ohio. which
was TO have gone with the second expe-
dition; the Indiana, the Morgan City and
City Of Para.
They are being coaled and loaded, and
ii Is stated at the War Department that
this work viii be completed by next Fri
day. The Valencia viii be put into read
mess and viii be included If possible.
About 1900 troops viii be sent If that
many can be accommodated.
The troops 10 be sent are the Idaho vol
unteers. the Thirteenth Minnesota Nolun-
teers. the North Dakota volunteers. the
Seventh California Regiment of Volun-
teers and the Wyoming Volunteer Regi-
ment.
Major General Elwen E. Otis will COM
mand the next expedition, and Gen. Mer-
Tiu the following one
II was hoped that the entire Army OF
20.o00 men intended for Manila could be
embarked in three fleets This cannot
now be done. Twenty-seven hundred
men composed the first movement. The
second consisted Of $500 men, leaving
fully 400 TO be sent yet. The difficulty
has been the lack Of transports
Gen. Mcrritt's army has been encamp-
ed al San Francisco for four weeks
awaiting transportation. but the Govern
ment has been unsuccessful in securing
proper facilities.
Much difficulty Is being encountered in
Chartering seaWOrthy vessels on the Pa
cif!c Coast, and the probability is that
there viii not only be a fourth, but also
a fifth expedition.
Assistant Secretary Of War Meikleiohu
is making every effort however. to Sc
cure enough steamers TO carry the re-
mainder of the Philippine army in only
two more expeditions The intention is
10 ship 5000 men on the next and about
double that number on the following ex-
pedition.
When Gen. Merritt arrives at Manila
he viii Immediately assume the military
Eovernorship Of the islands
1T is stated at the War Department that
there is to be a new department in the
military OTganization-the Department of
the Pacific This viii include the Philip
pine Islands and any other possessions
that the United States may secure in the
Pacific and also the Pacific Coast Gen.
Merritt viii be the general commanding
this department. The plan will allow of
his advantageously controlling not only
the shipments Of troops for San Fran
cisco TO the Philippines, but also the oper-
ations in those islands
Gen. Otis viii be Immediately under
Gen Merritt.