The herald., 1898-05-06
LONG BEING PERFECTLY Confident
That the Commodore Is Now Master Of
the Situation
Acting This Certainty Repair Supplies and Consign-
ment Of Ammunition Will Soon Be Sent
to the Manila Squadron
BY ASSOCIATED PRESS SPECIAL WIRE.


WASHINGTON -Seeay Long said at the close of office hours
today that up that time he had received word from Commodore
Dewey He added that he felt apprehension this lack of
news the place. reports expected with the cable
from Manila cut, and furthermore fears entertained as to Commo
dore Dweys ability to maintain his position. There no doubt
the secretary Commodore Dewey fleet had annihe the Span
h fleet with this much accomplished Dewey master Of the tua
ton Manila suggested to Mr. Long that the shore batteries at
Cavte and Cogdor island might be serious the American
fleet but the secretary did not share this holding that the strength of
the Olympia and other ships in Deweys fleet ample to make him
master of Manila bay and its surroundings.
Aid for Dewey
The department taking to render effective aid the commodore
in the matter of supplies and constructor Of high ability out at
the damages sustained the battle off Manila Preparations
for suitable convoy supply ships also indicated by the choice of
commander officers for the Charleston Mare island
recalled navy department in this connection having received
the surrender of Manila the commodore would be able to
y of labor and Of such material city like Manila affords for the repair
Of his ships He also would be able place his wounded comfort in
Of the Manila hospitals other public places always desire of
prudent naval commander his wounded ashore the earliest
sble opportunity they stand better chances of
The navy department will ship 100000 pounds powder Commo
doe Dewey add this has left This will be made
pounds Of the grade used for the big 8ch guns
pounds for the 6nch guns $4,000 pounds for the 5nc guns and lesser
amounts for other classes of guns.
This large number S-nch piercing projecles shells
and 6-nch and 5.nch rifle balls will make the shipment
ton large The powder and shot together will give
for the big guns and several thousand rounds for the rapc rifles
Sampson's Fleet
No could be cleaned the navy department relative to the
mn of Admiral Simpsons fleet but from the confident tone of the few
who acu ane with the policy of the department they expect
hear very Of of this squadron almost interesting and
important as that received from the Philippines last Monday.
high official Of the administration today almost demolished the
theory that Admiral Sampson the Oregon
from Brazil the North Atlantic squadron He declared that the navy
department under apprehension about the Oregon for the
that did not consider that the Spanish admiral of the Cape Verde squadron
would be willing to risk combat with the Oregon with the great
odds her favor overwhelmed the end the Oregon certainly
would destroy of the Spanish ships and perhaps The Spanish
could not afford to exchange this of the
that lett open possible points of operation from Sampson either
Rico the Cuban but which theory to
cepted is not even hinted at by the department officials
Brazil is Neutral
Brazil has declared neutrality There regret such
action the part of Brazil for however beneficial the delay
United States in getting its warhps safely along the Brzn coasts the
of the proclamation just likely be still beneficial
closing Brazilian ports The Spanish flying squadron should be headed
in that direction may be noted however, that while reports
received with regard its coming the navy department. today
notice inclined the officers til. belief that the Spanish flying squadron
turned back from Cape Verde consolidate fleet at Cadz
A Great Big Contract
MADRID May 5-Va Pars) is alleged that ironclads two
and three transports about drive the Aer
from Manila and then lombard Californian ports