The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-05-07
DEWEY'S WORK
Las a Base of Operations and Com
munication Open.

munication Open.
Washington, May THE officials of
the navy department as well as the
army officers, who were duty at the
war department, were simply amazed
at the extent of the mortality inflicted
upon the Spanish by Admiral Dewey,
for from the moment when Secretary
Long sent his dispatch of congratula-
ton, the commodore became an admit
raj
officers scratched their heads In vain
to think of any genuine hostile en-
gagement between armed forces that
had been so one sided in it's results as
the battle of Manila and the subsequent
engagements
The opinion was expressed by strate-
gists that with superb judgment, Dew
ey absolutely smothered the fire of the
Spanish batteries and ships under the
weight Of his metal before they had op-
portunity to make any effective re-
Spouse. As for the forts, it is likely that
he took up his position at distance
that placed his ships beyond the range
of the old fashioned ordnance that
1OIIaSQ A1AuG-C0LLnS OF more Oh the OG-
fensive power of the works and shelled
them into silence, succeeding in escap-
ing hits meantime from the few pieces
of modern ordnance that could be train
ed upon him.
Admiral Dewey speaks of the Spanish
sick and wounded in hospital within
our lines" There can be but one in
depreciation placed upon this. namely,
that the admiral has occupied Cavite,
a considerable town, about seven miles
toward the mouth of the bay from Ma
Mia. He has thus, supposing he goes
no farther, secured naval base for the
naval fleet which will serve through
the remainder of the war at least. Ca
vite, it is said, outside of the fortifca-
tions, possessed already very many of
the essentials of a naval station among
them a marine railway capable of lift
ing out of the water vessels up to 1000
tons displacement and hence of great
service in the repairing and cleaning of
the smaller vessels of the American
fleet.
An important feature of Admiral
Dewey's cablegram is the statement
that he destroyed the fortifacti0ES at
the bay entrance. This refers to the
strong Notifications at Corregidor is
land lying at the entrance to the Day
and insures the admiral against any
interruption in the line of communica-
ton with the outside world. AS soon
as the news in the cablegrams had been
absorbed by the officials they turned
their attention to the future.
1t was already in contemplation to send
some troops to relieve the squadron of
the necessity of occupying Manila and the
forts if Admiral Dewey should call for
them. Although he made no such re-
quest in his cablegram, the officials gath
cred from its text that he was not in
complete possession of the city and they
Immediately ascribed this to the lack of
men to. occupy. Therefore Secretary
the government would send troops to re-
inforce Admiral Dewey with all prompt
tude.
Secretary Alger and General Miles were
communicated with on the subject and
they Immediately planned all necessary
arrangements for the sending of an expe-
dition from San Francisco. These plans
will be put into Immediate execution. The
City of Peking is expected at San Fran
yard people promised to have her in con-
dition to receive troops and supplies by
officer, Pay Director Griffin, will make
every effort to get together some very
swift merchant steamers to serve as
ficient number of these can be readily Sc
cured among the swift ano powerful
steamers Of the great ocean liners start
ing from San Francisco. General Miles
thought that about 5000 troops would suf-
fee to reinforce Dewey. With vessels
be found in carrying these to the Philip
pines in six ships within three weeks.
ton on the 18th, a week from tomorrow.
The troops will be taken from the west
mainly. Senator Shoup was the first in
COMPANIES of tinted states regulars in
San FRANCISCO harbor and they probably
will be dispatched, their places in the
coast defense being taken by the four
teenth infantry now at Vancouver bar
racks.