The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-05-10
No UneaSineSS as to Ash
attic Squadron.
TO SEIZE PORTO RICO.
News Of Another Naval Rattle Expect.
ed at an Early Day From the Atlantic
Squadron Brazil Declares Neutrality
Supplies and Ammunition for the
Asfatfc Squadron-General wheeler
Reports at Army Headquarter. for
Duty.

An10tlc " neelef
Reports at Army Headquarter. for
Duty.
Washington, May 5.-Secretary Long
said at the close of office hours today
that UP to that time he had received
no word from Commodore Dewey. He
added, however, that ne felt no appre-
hension over his lack of news, be-
cause, in the first place, reports We're
not expected, with the cables from
Manila cut, and, Furthermore, no fears
were entertained as to Commodore
Dewey's ability to maintain his posi-
ton. There was no doubt, the score
tary, said, that Commodore Dewey's
fleet had annihilated the Spanish fleet,
and with this much accomplished,
Dewey was master of the situation at
Manila.
The department is taking steps to
render effective aid to the Commodore
in the matter of supplies and Con
structor William l.. Clapp, now at
San Francisco, is to get out at once
to repair the damage sustained in the
battle of Manila. Preparations for a
| suitable convoy for the supplyShips
was also indicated by the choice of a
commander and officers for the cruiser
| Charleston now at Mare Island. 1t is
recalled at the navy department in this
connection that having received the
surrender of Manila, the commodore
would be able to secure any quantity
of labor, and of such material as a
maritime city like Manila affords for
the repai- of his ships. He also would
be able to place his wounded in some
one of the Manila hospitals or other
public buildings.
NEWS EXPECTED OF ANOTHER
NAVAL BATTLE.
No news could be learned at the
navy department relative to the move
ments of Admiral Simpsons iron
clads. but from the confident tone of
the few officials who are acquainted
with the policy of the department,
they are expecting to hear very o
Of news from this squadron almost as
interesting n important as that re-
ceived from the Philippines. A high
officer of the administration today al
most demolished the theory that AID
miral Sampson, was going to suecor the
oregon now on her way from Brazil
to Join the North Atlantic squadron.
He declared that the navy department
was unCer no apprehension about the
Oregon, for the reasOn that it did not
consider hat the Spanish admiral OF
the Cape Verde squadron would Zoe
willing to risk a combat with the Ore
% even with the great odds in his
favor, as even if overwhelmed in the
end, the Oregon certainly would de-
strOy one of the Spanish ships and per-
haps two, and the Spanish government
could not afford to exchange pawns al
this stage Of the war. That left open
as possible points of operations for
Sampson either Porto Rico Or some
port on the Cuban coast, but just
which theory is to be accepted is moi
even limited at by the departmental of
ficials.
BRAZIL DECLARES NEUTRALITY
Notice came to the state department;
from Brazil today that that govern
ment a declared neutrality. There
is now no cause to regret UGH action
on the part of Brazil, for however ben.
eficial the delay has been to the Unit
ed States in getting it's warships safely
along the Brazilian coast, the issue o.
the proclamation just now is likely tC
be still more beneficial in closing Bra
lillian ports to the Spanish f1yine
squadron if it should be headed in tina;
direction. Tt a be .noIed, however
that while the first reports were re.
ceived with Little credit the advices
coming to The navy department today
though not conclusive, inclined the of
fcers to the belief that the Spanish
flying squadron really has turned back
from Cape Verde to consolidate with
the home squadron at Cadiz.
The navy department will ship 200, OO(
pounds of powder to Commodore Dew.
ey to d to the stock he has now left
This, with the large number of s inch
armOr piercing projectiles, shells and
inch and 5 inch rifle balls will make
the shipment of ammunition a very
large one. The powder and shot to-
gether will give 500 rounds for the big
guns, and several thousand rounds fol
the rapid fire rifles.
TO SEIGE PORTO RICO.
There We're many conferences between
the president and senator's and repre-
sentatives today. The first conner was
Senator Burrows, of Michigan, who
presented some friends to the presi-
dent. AS he left he said: Everything
is moving along smoothly n we'll
What we van now is Porto Rico. We
ought to ave that tomorrow"
will it be as 500 as that, SENATOR
YES" was the reply, probably in a
day or Two"
While refraining from saying wha,
transpired during his brief interview
with the president, his statement thai
the seizure of Porto Rico is expected
to be effected in a day or two, it was
thought by his hearers to be signii-
can't, having been made Immediately
after the senator left h president,
though he would not say the presiden;
had given him any Information.
senator German OF Maryland had a
conference with the president today
regarding the sending of a war vessel
to take off American citizens who are
in a precariors condition on the island
or Navassa, on the Florida Keys.
These people are said to be in great dis