The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-04-30

Naval Conflict in the PHILIPPINES
Near at Hand.

Naval Conflict I'm the PHILIPPINES
Near at Hand.
| LONDON, April 29.-The Daily Mail
| hear from Singapore that a naval bat
tie is momentarily expected In Manila
bay.
The Telegraph's Hong Kong corre-
spondent says the insurgent chief,
Agu1naldt, Is preparing to make a de-
scent near Manila. His supporters are
plentifully supplied with arms and am
munition from the American squad
ron.
The Voz Espanola, Of Manila, de-
scribes the port Of Manila as impreg-
| nable 1t says six other principal ports
in the Philippines bristle with guns,
chiefly Krurp.
| dispatch from Hong Kong, dated
Friday, says: War news Is scarce.
Nothing has been heard Of the Ameri-
can fleet or from Manila. Commodore
Dewey considers that his duty will be
done when the Spanish fleet is cap
tured and safety has been secured for
American trading vessels. Eleven of
these vessels are overdue, and the
Americans feel exceedingly anxious.
"The formation of the provisional
government at Manila will be an
nounced at the discretion of United
States Consul Williams. 1t is believed
that there are not many Spanish troops
at Manila. They have gone into the
interior. The American fleet carries in
all 1000 officers and men. The Con-
cord is expected to return here for
dispatches on Wednesday.
"a few weeks ago, before the Hong
Kong supreme court Attachio, the min
lister of the interior, in his provisional
government, applied for an injunction
to restrain Aguinaldo Ghe insurgent
leader from parting with s400,0 900 that
had been remdtted here by the Spanish
government for distribution among the
leaders Of the late insurrection. Other
members Of the council propose issuing
a disclaimer against Attachio's action
and expressing confidence in Aguinaldo.
He and his colleagues have devised a
plan Of going to Manila in their own
vessel and have large supply of am
munition and arms. Many letters have
been sent here from Manila opened"
Advices from Manila, by way Of Mad
rid, say the United States fleet is ex-
pected to arrive at Manila on Sunday.
The Spanish fleet has been divided into
two squadrons. Two cruisers, the Cas-
tilla and other vessels remain near the
front of Manila. The remaining Span
ish warships, under Admiral Montejo,
are IHe WESTERN CGdSlS,
awaiting the arrival of the American
ships
The Spanish fleet, it appears, has
been reinforced by a large auxiliary
cruiser, said to be capable of steaming
twenty knots and armed as a warship.
She is known as the Montevideo, but
an examination Of the maritime regis
ters fails to establish her identity. It
is claimed, however, that she is a very
large vessel.
The steamer Esmeralda, chartered by
the banking companies, has gone to
Manila from Hong Kong, to bring away
the specie there, as trouble is appre-
hended. It is understood she will be
able to leave Manila before the United
States fleet attacks that port. She has
considerable quantity of coal on
board, and also has as a passenger the
insurgent leader Filepino. She is said
to have sealed orders to Join the United
States fleet after her mission is ac-
ccmplished. The cable to Manila has
not been cut.
The Spanish government has an
nounced that from today the use of the
cipher or code telegraphic messages
will not be allowed from or to the
Philippine islands.