The record-union., 1898-05-16

WASHINGTON, May 1J.-Dispatches
from Hongkong brought welcome
news to-day from Admiral Dewey to
the President, and particularly to Sec
retary Long and the naval officers who
are watching the Admirals 5 movements
with so much interest. While no APP
prehension existed as to his security,
nevertheless reinsurance Of safety is
always pleasant. The kilograms indi-
cate that Dewey has lost none Of the
prestige gained in his memorable fight
Of two weeks ago and that. while he
refrains from takinS the city of Ma
Mia, 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 eX-
plcitly that they have made no demon
stratiOn. seems to disprove thoroughly
the published reports that they had al
ready entered Manila and had begun a
career Of blOOdshed and rapine.
The best evidence of the effectiveness
IF the blockade maintained by the Amer
lean Admiral and also Of the work of
the insurgents in surrounding the city,
is shown in the statement in the dis
patches that provisions are scarce in
the city of Manila. which seems to in
dicate TO Admiral Dewey an early sur
render by the Spanish authorities. An
other published report seems also to be
refuted by the Admirars adVices and
that is that the rebels had raided Ca
vite, where the Spanish naval station
was located and where. presumably
large supplies of arms and ammunition
were kept If the rebels have been
supplying themselves with arms 1t must
have been with the AdmiraIs consent.
as his dispatch is originally dated from
Cavite. indicating that he is still i'll
possession. The greatest satisfaction
prevails here over the good work being
done and the effectiveness Of the block
ade maintained by him. The dispatch
as given out by Secretary Long, is as
follows:
CAVITE. May 13 Via Hongkong,
May 1O.-Maintaining strict blockade.
Reason to believe that the rebels are
hcmming in the city by land. but have
made no demonstration. Scarcity Of
provisions ~ Manila. Probable that
the Spanish Governor viii be OBLIGED TO
surrender soon Can take Manila at
any moment Climate hot and moist.
On May 18TH ca0tured gunboat Caliao
attempting to run blockade. Have
plenty coal. One British, one French,
two German, one japanese vessels here
observing. DEW EA.
The officials are making all possible
haste IL rush TROOPS to supple
rtent Admiral DeWey's forces, so that
il the Spanish Governor does surrender
the former Will not be dependent upon
the small number Of marines which he
can lily spare from his ships, but Will
have the assistance of soldiers IL hold
ing his position and maintaining order.
Ii is confidently hoped here that ;he
CITY of Pekin@, chartered as trans
port vessel. viii be able to clear from
San Francisco in a short tima, 70 De
followed in ra9id succession by the
other three ships engaged fer similar
purpose. The Peking can carry l,otD
men. which. with the marines aboard
the Charleston. which is about . sail
will be Of considerable assistance - the
Admiral. but far from the num0er
which he viii need The total number
of men to be sent Will aggregate prob
ably II 600, as Major-Generid Wesley
Merritt. who is to command the cXpeIl-
ton. subsequently to be made Military
Governor, reEards that as h@ least
number which can maintain order IN
city like Manila. made up Of many dis
cordant elements. over ten regiments
Of infantry and four batteries OF ar
tiIArv from the volunteers have been