Daily new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1897-1906, 1898-05-04

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passed without o single word from the
American fleet in the Philippines, and
in view Of the long continued inter
ruption in cable communication the
| officials are beginning to resign them
selves to the belief that they must
await for their official news until boat
arrives at Hongkong. This will not
necessarily be a naval vessel, for it is
not believed that Commodore Dewey,
who will be admiral as soon as he can
be reached by cable, could have spared
any of his ships, even the McCulloch, to
carry dispatches before the lombard
ment. In ordinary times there is plenty
of communication by steamers as well
as by native vessels between the Philip
pines and the main land, and the off
Gals will be rather surprised if some
news is not coming by this means soon.
If Admiral Dewey wants troops to
hold what he may gain in the Philip
pines, he will be sent as many as he
needs directly from San Francisco and
it is very likely that state volunteers
will make up the quota. The cabinet
talked about this and is only waiting to
hear what Commodore Dewey wants.
Meanwhile the plans of the Cuban
campaign are being steadily developed
and there is no indication of change
of purpose on the part of the military
authorities, who are expected to land an
expeditionary force in Cuba in very
short time. Admiral Sampson, so far
as the navy department knows, is stead
lily maintaining the blockade of the
Cuban coast, and this is not likely to be
abandoned for the present, though two
or three of his ships may be sent away
temporarily to meet the Oregon ON her
way to Cuba from Rio Janeiro.
While the officials of the navy de-
partment naturally feel a warm inter
est in this race of the magnificent bat
tleship around the continent, they pro-
fess to feel little anxiety as to the out
come, notwithstanding the current talk
of an effort on the part of the Spanish
flying squadron to cut off the Oregon.
The vessel sailed from Rio, on course
known only to the captain, and the
chances of being overtaken ON the high
seas are very small. Even should the
Spanish vessels fall in with her, it is by
no means certain, Notwithstanding their
numbers, that she would be defeated by
the combined Spanish force, as her
magnificent armor and ordnance are su-
perior in every respect, size and quality,
to those of the Spanish ships.
The proclamation directed against the
Spanish residents Of the United States
by the state department, has not yet
been issued, nor is it certain that it will
issue; that probably depending upon
4 ha Cd III
eminent in their treatment of A1neri-
can citizens by Spain.
China has issued her neutrality proc
lamation, so there is now no place on
the Asiatic coast open to the free use of
the war vessels of either Spain or the
United States This is rather remark
able in that it marks the first action of
this kind on the part of China, which
has never before issued neutrality
proclamation and the naval officers are
duly grateful for the consideration
shown by the Chinese government in
withholding the issue of the decree I'M
til informed that the Americans had
acquired base in the Philippine isl
lands.
The army bought a hospital ship for
! the benefit of the troops going to Cuba
Commissary General Nash was retired,
making the fourth commissary general
to be retired within as many months.
Reports received at the navy depart
ment from the Miantonomah show that
the monitor was roughly handled by
the storm while making her way south
to Key West from League Island. Her
decks We're swept and frequent delays
were caused by the disarrangement of
some OF the ships structure. Through
out 1t all, however, the propelling ma
chinery worked splendidly
Washington will soon be gay with
uniforms as result of an order requir
/ ing all officers To year the 1anifo1.,nc of