The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-04-28
Primary Object is to Capture Spanish Fleet
Which Admiral Dewey Thinks is Of
Highest Importance.
AN EASY VICTORY
EXPECTED FOR AMERICANS
The Ships are in Excellent Trim and the Men in Best of
Spirits--The City will be Given Half an
Hour to ReCapituate

London, April 27.-The Hong Kong
correspondent of the Times says:
"'Thc American feet, headed by the
flagship Olympia, sailed at o'clock this
afternoon "wednesday direct for Ma
nila. The British cruiser ImmOrtalte
wlIf ollow the American squadron"
The Hong Kong correspondent of the
Daily Mail, says:
Omitted States Consul Williams. after
spending tho evening ashore with United
States Consul WiIdman. accompanied
the American squadron. Thirty msur-
gent leaders here wanted to accompany
il, but Chief Aguinaldo goes as their
representative. lie will take charge of
the insurgent forces at Manila. Admiral
Dewey has issued strict orders that no
barbarous or inhuman acts are to be
pcrpetrated by the insurgents.
"'The primary object is the capture of
the Spanish fleet, which Admiral Dewey
thinks more important than capturing
Manila He is determined to prevent
it's preying upon American vessels. On
reaching Manila he will demand its capi-
tulation within half an hour of his ar
rival. His men are in the best spirits
and excellent health. There has been
nine descrtions. including six Cinnamon,
one italian and one German during the
fleets stay at Hong Kong. Every prep
aration has been made. The ships arc
cleaned and painted for battle, and the
general opinion is that the fight in these
waters will result in an easy victory for
America. Her ships carry 122 guns, as
against 96 or thereabouts in the Spanish
fleet
The cooperation of the American
feet with the rebels has been kept Il
strict secret The latter await the ar
rival of the fleet. when Manila must
soon Succomb. Its dcfcnces are in a
wretched state. The Americans in the
Philippines are anxious to sec British
rule established there and the proposal
has been favorahly received here. The
Manila press, on the contrary, says
there is great enthusiasm among the
population for Spain. and that an OBJ
stinate resistance will be offered to the
Americans, but the papers qualify their
bold allegation by referring to the
"phlegmatic character of the natives.
which prevents any excited expression
of opinion
These joudnals say, too, that the trea-
son of few hundreds or Il few thou
sands of the rebels does not affect the
virtue Of the race and they haughtily
add that the Philippines will prove
worthy of Spain.
"The Governor Of the Philippines has
issued several proclamations. One re-
quired all able bodied Spaniards to en-
roll themselves for military service, and
accords permission to foreigners to
join. Exemption is granted to all Ameri-
can citizens One extraordinary pro-
clamation has excited great distrust
here. 1t asSertst that ''the American
people are composed of all social eN
crescences. who have exhausted our pa
tience and provoked war with their per-
tdous Vaccinations, their acts of
treachery and their outrages against the
law of nations and international conyen-
tons
The proclamation proceeds to say:
"A squadron manned by foreigners.
possessing neither instruction nor disc-
pline. comes to this archipelago with
the ruffianly intention of r0bbing us of
All ilHI IllCdIlS llLts nOllOE anu tIuGEtN. 4.
The aggressors shall not profane the
tombs of your fathers. They shall not
crafty their lustful passions at the cost
of your wives and daughters. They
shah not cover you with diShonor or APP
propriate the property your industry has
accumulated as Il provision for your old
age They shall not perpetrate any of
the crimes inspired by their wickedness
and covetousness. because your valorl
and patriotism will suffice to punish this
miserable people, which, claiming TO bel
civilized and cultivated, have eXtermin-
ated the unhappy natives of North
America, instead of bringing to them
the light of civilization and of progress.
FLEET ON TO MANILA.
London, April 27.-The Hong Kong
correspondent of the Times says the
American squadron sailed direct for
Manila at 2 O'clock Wednesday after .
noon.