The leader., 1898-05-18
DEWEY IS ALL RIGHT.
The Gallant Admiral Gables of
the Situation.
Has Lost None of the Advantage Gsiued
Csa Take Manila when Desircd-The
Land Forces to Go to the Island
as Speedily az Possible.

WASHINGTON. Nav lathe dispatches
from Hong Kong brought good news
from Admiral Dewey. particularly to
Secretary Long and the naval officers
who are watching the admiral's move
ments with interest. While no appre-
| hension existed as TO his security, new
| ertheless reinsurance of safety is always
pleasant.
The kilograms indicate that Dewey
has lost none Of his prestige gained in
his memorable fight of two weeks ago,
and that, while he refrains from taking
the city of Manila, he has it practically
at his mercy.
The admiral expresses the belief that
| the rebels are hemming the city in by
land, but the fact that he says explicitly
| that they have made no demonstration
seems to disprove the story published
| that they have entered Manila and be-
| gun a career of bloodshed.
The best evidence of the effectiveness
| of the blockade maintained by Dewey
and also of the work of the insurgents
in surrounding the city, is shown in the
statements in the dispatch that pro-
visions are scarce in the city of Manila,
which seems to indicate to Admiral
Dewey an early surrender by the Span
ish.
Another published report seems also
to be refuted by the admirals advice,
to the effect that the rebels had raided
Manila where the Spanish naval station
Nv
large supplies of arms and ammunition
were kept. If the rebels have been
supplying themselves with arms it must
have been with the admirals consent,
as his dispatch is originally dated from
Cavite, indicating that he is still in
possession.
The greatest satisfaction prevails
here over the good work being done
and the effectiveness of the blockade
being maintained by him. The dis
patch as given out by Secretary Long
is as follows:
'CAvITE. May 13.-(via Hong Kong,
Nav -. Maintaining strict blockade.
Reason to believe that the rebels are
hernming in the city by land, but have
made no demonstration.
Scarcity of provisions in Manila.
Probable that the Spanish governor
will be obliged to surrender soon. Can
take Manila at any moment. Climate
hot and moist.
ION May II captured gunboat Callao,
attempting to run blockade. Have
plenty of coal. One British, one French,
two German and one japanese vessel
here, observing"
Rushing Troops Over.
The officials are making all possible
haste to rush troops to supplement Adj
miral Dewey's forces, so that If the
Spanish government does surrender the
former will not be dependent upon the
small number of marines. which he can
lily spare, but will have the aid of sol
diers in holding his position and main
tanning order. 1t is confidently hoped
here that the City of Pekin, chartered
as transport vessel, will be able to
clear from San Francisco in a very
short time. to be followed ip rapid sue
cession by the other three ships en-
gagged for a similar purpose. The
Pekin can carry 900 men, which, with
the marines aboard the Charleston, just
about to sail, will be of considerable
assistance to the admiral, lot far from
the number which he will need. The
total number of men to be sent will ag-
gregate probably $4,000, as Maj Gen.
Wesley Merritt, who is to command
the expedition and subsequently to be
made military governor, regards that
as the least with which he can maintain
order in city like Manila, made up of
many discordant elements. Over ten
regiments of infantry and four batter
es of artillery from the volunteers have
been ordered to concentrate at San
Francisco. and the regulars now in the
extreme West will also be sent there.
1t is the purpose now to send force
of $4,000 to the island. In order to
make up the requisite number it is the
intention of the army officials to send,
as a part of the expedition. at least
three regiments of seasoned regular
troops Gen. Corbin said tonight the
regular troops probably would be sent
from the forces encamped at Tampa, as
they are the most available now. 1t is
not regarded as desira bic to remove
such regular troops as have been left
in the Indian country. The fear is en-
tanned that if those troops should be
sent away from their present posts
some of the unruly Indians might take
advantage of their absence to commit
outrages and depredations upon the
white settlements. For that reason the
regular troops selected for the Philip
pines expedition will be taken from the
forces modified on the Atlantic coast.
1t was announced definitely tonight
that the transport ship City of Pekin,
now at San Francisco, would sail for
Manila tonight or tomorrow with about
regiment and half of the volunteers
already selected for the expedition.
Other forces destined for Manila will
be hurried to San Francisco as rapidly
as possible.
SPANIARDS TURNED ADRIFT.
Their Fleet Sent Away From Friendly