Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-05-06

The Philippine Islands.
Among the many prominent callers at the
White House this morning was q demo
cratic leadc- of national renown. lie was
asked what his position woulj, he as to
Possession of the Philippine Islands. ~
will he in favor of restoring to Spain all W.
rave taken from her Il she VIII give u.
qt,ick enough. We Gid not enter upon ;his
va for gain, but for tumanity's sake. Oi
course if Spain pers-:s in keeping up the
war We VIII have TO lake and keep tenn
porarily at least whatever comes our
way
Senator Quay said that tae United States
would keep the Philippines until the war
was over and would DE sure to want port
anyhow.
Senators QUAY. Roach and Mason and
Representatives Walker. Butler and Mercer
were callers curing the morning. Senator
Mason was accompanied by Duncan Harri-
son. the wellknown theatrical manager.
Mr.. Harrison has raised regiment of yell
low fever immunes and wants to go to the
front for service
Generals Comm missfcns Signed.
The commissions of the eleven major
generals nominated on Wednesday We're
signed by the President this morning AMI
sent TO Secretary Alger. who Will give
them personally to the ,nen nominated
r. a. c. Smith. a New Ycrk ship owner
today presented President Mckinley a
splendid photograph of Havana harbor Tie
photograph is Il yard long and shows the
exact location of Moro Castle and the city.
together with the barber. and where the
Crited States fleet will stand to lombard
the city.
The White House Physician.
Surg Gen Sternherg has succeeded Col.
Lee nard Wood the White House ply
sician and makes regular visits to me
Executive Mansion. Col. Wood is in San
Antonio. Texas organizing his re giment of
rough riders.
Awaiting News From Dewey.
The fifth day since the battle of Manila
opened without bringing the slightest trace
of news of that engagement from any Off
ciai source to the Navy Department. The
State department was in equal ignorance,
Notwithstanding the fact that 1t had taken
steps TO receive the earliest information
that Right reach Hong Kong, through Mr..
Wildman, the United States consul at tha;
point. There was no apprehension express
&c. however. to the safety of the Amer
ican fleet at Manila, though there was a
dawning suspicion that Commodore Dewey
had not been able to subdue the forts at
Corresidor Island and the defenses of Ma
Mia proper by first intention. Indeed from
the meaScr reports that were received from
Manila before the interruption of cable
communication it was rot made quite clear
that the Spanish forts at Cavite were fore
ed to surrender Immediately succeeding the
naval engagement.
II that were the case, Commodore Dewey
would be under the necessity of DESTROYING
or capturing them afterward, in order to
insure the safety of his own fleet Likewise
1t would be necessary to silence the Corre-
gidor guns in order to avoid being bottled
up In the harbor. Both of these tasks take
not only time, but ships. and it is not to be
Supposed that Commodore Dewey would
feel justified in sending one of his vessels
away for the simple purpose of carrying
news when she was needed in the fight.
To Command the Newark.
Capt. A. S. Baker has been detached from
the Secretary's Office and ordered to COM
nand the Newark. Others detailed to the
Newark are Lieutenant Commander w. H.
Turner and Lieuts. w. F. Halsey, j. H.
Gibbons, c. B. Britain and II. F. Bryan.
Lieut.. c. w. Bartlett has been ordered to
the Topeka as executive officer, and Lieut.
+. I. Withersroon to the same vessel:
Lieut.. G. c. Hanus to the Free Lance,
Lieut.. A. Rust to the Hist and Lieut. w. NJ.
kilburn to the Aileen
Plenty of Naval Officers.
With the best disposition in the world to
meet the wishes Of the many young men
who are coming forward to serve in the
navy Secretary Long mas been obliged to
make ali announcement that he will not be
able to do SO. the reason for this is that
the conditions arr entirely dissimilar to
those that prevailed at the outbreak of the
civil war. We have now considerable
naval militia that Is entering the naval SER
vice as volunteer force, and it so hap
pens that In their case the organizations
come into service fully equipped with their
own officers of all grades. As for the new
vessels that have been added to the navy
IN large numbers recently, it happens that
the government has been Obliged TO ACCEPT
them as they were, officers and crews re-
raining OH board and in the service leay-
ing no need for the addition CT regular
TaUs. in spite of the great increase of the
navy, 20 additional officers are required,
TIE advance having been along the whole
ike. OF course this statement applies Cnly
to Cflcers, and particularly to applications
for acti1g paymasters. ens,Srs and lieuten-
ants, and IS Lot intenial 20 discourage en-
listments below the commission grade.