The record-union., 1898-05-06
FAKE STORIES.
Accounts Published at San Fran
cisco of Dewey's Engagement.

WASHINGTON, May 5.-The officials
of the Navy Department, from the Sec
retary down, are thoroughly indignant
at the stories coming from San Fran
cisco as authentic accounts of the en-
gagement of Commodore Dewey at Ma
Mia. One in particular excited indig-
nation, that ascribing 10 Admiral Kirk
land at Mare Island the receipt of
telegram from Commodore Dewey de-
scribing the terrible mortality of his
own fleet resulting from the battle of
Manila. Captain Crowninshields Chief
of the Navigation Bureau declared that
it was utterly impossible for news of
the American fleet to come in any such
fashion, and added that as the depart
ments facilities for the receipt of in
formation from Commodore Deweys
squadron were superior to those of any
individual, it was utterly improbable
that they could receive news before the
department itself. Such dispatches as
that complained of were cruel and
senseless, and inflicted great injury
upon the wives, mothers, daughters and
other relatives of the brave sailors of
this fleet who are anxiously waiting to
hear from them.
The officials We're of the opinion that
there was little prospect of receiving
news from Commodore Dewey directly
during the day, though there was pos
sibility that a merchant vessel might
reach Hongkong from the Philippines
bringing some news of the battle and
subsequent events at Manila. It is
practically settled that the cable can
not be relied upon as a means of COM
munication, as it is believed to be cut
somewhere between it's landing place
in the Island Of Luzon, Point Bolinao
and Manila, and beyond the reach of
Commodore Dewey at this time.
The official calculation is about as
follows: The latest authentic and di-
rect news from Manila showed that
Dewey subdued the Spanish fleet and
made his demand for the surrender of
Manila through the British Consul some
time Sunday. He at the same time
gave notice of bombardment, to begin
Monday afternoon. Presuming that a
dispatch boat sailed at the earliest mo-
ment after the bombardment Monday
evening, and allowing three days for
passage, the ship would not be due at
Hongkong or Mrs Bay until tonight.
1t is already tonight by our time in
either place, and possibly the McCul-
loch or some dispatch boat is just en-
tering the harbor. Other delays would
occur before receipt of a cable here
through the many relay stations, so
that it is thought there was little
chance of official news coming in dur
ing the daylight hours.
There need be no apprehensions on
the part of the public that any news
that is received from Commodore
Dewey Will be withheld from it. Secre-
tary Long has stated in the most posi-
tive manner that he regards it as his
duty to make the people acquainted
with the facts as soon as he knows
them. He believes this is only just to
the relatives and friends of the sailors
of Dewey's fleet. Therefore, the many
statements and rumors that are con-
stantly circulated to the effect that the
Navy Department has received mys-
terious cablegrams from Hongkong
which it has concealed may be set down
as pure moonshine
KIRKLAND DENIES THE STORY.
VALLEJO, May 5.-Admiral Kirk
land denies the published story that he
had received information from the
Navy Department at Washington that
2O0 men were killed on the Baltimore
at Manila. The Admiral says he has
received no word from Washington on
this subject.