The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-05-04
DEWFYSNAVAL VICTORY
TO BE FOLLOWED BY ACTION OF
LAND FORCES
A PHILIPPINE OCCUPATION
Will Be Accomplished as Soon as
Troops Can Be Landed in
the Orient
Associated Press Special Wire


WASHINGTON, May 3.-The Cabinet
meet today resulted in decision TO avail
a report of Commodore Dewey ana thet
to send him the number of troops he deems
necessary to enforce our control Oh inc
Philippines. The whole session was con-
sumed in a general discussion OF past
events.
The administration has practically de-
cided to occupy the Philippines with d
strong military force as soon as possible
after Commodore Deweys report WINCH
is expected tomorrow, has been received
For this purpose the Pacific Slope troops
will be used and it is expected that at least
5000 will be en- route within the next ten
days. There does not seem to be any DOUBT
as to the governments purpose 10 holu inc
islands pending a final settlement with
Spain, when they will be used as collateral
to secure the payment to the United States
of a war indemnity.
High officials are of the opinion that none
of the powers will seriously dispute our
right to make such final disposition OF the
islands as suits our purpose in the enforce
ment of war claims against Spain, and In
any event this government will be pre-
| pared to contest any point which may DC
raised on this score.
| AS indicated in Secretary Longs re-
| quest today for an emergency approprla-
ton, the government will take steps at
once to supply Commodore Deweys heet
with coal and provisions at the earliest pos
| sible moment a sufficient number of ships
to supply amply all possible needs of the
Asiatic Squadron can be secured.
| These supplies will be forwarded with
out waiting a decision of the question as
to whether o. not troops shall be sent out
to relieve the Commodore Of the necessity
of policing Manila with the men from his
fleet. One ship has been secured already
as a collier. 1t is said to be much 1leeter
vessel than those usually so employed, but
| it will take her three weeks to reach Ma
| Mia and she may stop en- route at Honolulu
! to replenish her own coal supply from the
| large accumulation held there by Admiral
| Miller.
| 1t may be that the Department in case
of further need will try to secure more
coal for the American Philippine fleet
from a nearer and cheaper source than
California. 1t is believed that there is
nothing in the neutrality laws that pre-
vents a merchant from shipping coal to
a belligerent power, though a warship OF
such belligerent is restricted in taking on
such coal in the neutral port. or course
the merchant would make the shipment
at his own risk, for the coal probably
would be held as contraband by the Span
iards. AS matters stand after Admiral
Dewey's success there is no Spanish fleet
left to seize such a ship, SO that it would
be easy to compensate the coal merchants
| for the: smaller risks incurred by ship
| ping coal to the American fleet at the
| Philippines 1t is said at the Navy De-
partment that plenty of superior coal can
be secured in this manner in the Asiatic
ports at an average price of $40 per ton,
while very high grade coal can be had
in large quantities from New South Wales
at low figures. However, the Navy De-
partment will not rely on any source out
vside of the first shipment, but will start
one steamer from San Francisco as soon
as she can be loaded.
Although without confirmation from any
official source, the navy officials are dis
posed to attach some credit to the state
ment coming from Paris that at the last
accounts from Manila the American fleet
was firing upon Corregidor Island. This
island lies in the outer entrance to the
harbor of Manila and is about Is miles be-
low the city. 1t is crowned by light
house and has several modern guns in
place. While not serious menace to the
American fleet, SO long as the latter lies
far above in the vicinity Of the city, the
existence of the fort at place command
ing his line of communication could not
long be tolerated by the Commodore, for
it would endanger any unarmed ship seek
ing to reach the fleet and in a measure
would prevent supplies from coming in.
California Forces
SAN FRANCISCO, May 3.-Both officers
and men of the National Guard are ann
ious to be sent to the support of Commodore
| Dewey, in the Philippines. 1t will require
about three weeks to transport the troops
| to Manila, in case they are ordered there
| by the government. An order is expected
momentarily for the examination of all Of
| ficers of the naval battalion who wish to
enter the United States Navy. They will
| rank as Lieutenants and will be assigned
| to the command of the vessels that have
| been purchased and added to the govern
ment fleet in these waters The War De-
partment has authorized Captain Caring
| ton to purchase supplies for the Volunteer
troops of California, without the usual ad-
| vertising for bids.
The announcement that the government
would probably send Pacific coast troops
| to the Philippines as soon as possible after
| Commodore Deweys report has been re-
ceived, created considerable excitement in
this city. The officers of the various de-
partments at army headquarters eagerly
read theSAssociated Press dispatch which
conveyed the first intimation of the gov
| interest in the new chance for active SER
] vice. In the absence of General Merriam,
who is in command Of the department of
| California, now at Vancouver barracks
| nothing definite could be learned as to
what if any instructions had been received
or given but his subordinates stated that
they were fully prepared to dispatch the
requisite number of men as soon as the de-
mand is made for them.
General Warfield of the National Guard
stated that he had not received any in.
structions, but that Californias quota
would be ready and fully equipped for the
journey to the Philippines or anywhere
else within forty-eight hours after being
| notified.
Illinois Anxious
CHICAGO, May Sit is intimated that
the Illinois Naval Militia may be given the
refusal of an assignment to join Commo-
dore Deweys fleet at the Philippines. News
from Washington sources states that the
following telegram has been sent to Adju-