The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-05-08
Special to the indianapolis Journal.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON, May 7.-Washington was
in happy frenzy to-day and tonight. The
official report of the battle of Manila and
its immediate consequences more than met
the most sanguine expectations Of the
naval authorities and set everybody wild.
What the President thought of the achieve
gram of congratulations to the hero of the
battle, promoting him to the rank of act
ing admiral and promising to recommend
that Congress tender him vote of thanks
as a foundation for further promotion.
General Miles gives expression to an ex-
| travagantly-phrased tribute to Commodore
| Dewey, and said that, without doubt, the
battle was the most marvellous achievement
in naval history; that nothing the heroes
of the past had done began to compare
with it in daring, in superb generalship
and in the small cost in the way of damage
to the victorious ships and men.
The President and general of the army,
with the cooperation of the entire War
Office, are taking prompt measures to real
ize on the stupendous victory. General Miles
promises that within week an expedition
of not less than 5000 soldiers will be on the
way to Manila from San Francisco, and as
many more soldiers as may be needed will
be dispatched to the scene as fast as they
can be mobilized thereafter. There Is no
basis at this moment for forming intelligent
Judgment as to the number of men who
may be required to completely conquer and
hold the Philippines. 1t would not be sur
prising however, if 5000 to 10000 soldiers
would be required. There are supposed to
be about 10000 Spanish soldiers on the
islands, more than half of whom are at
Manila ana IN the immaculate NAclllty'
Against that large force Admiral Dewey
has less than 1000 men all told and Of that
number only about 700 are marines. The
best he can do, therefore, is to menace the
city and keep the Spaniards bottled up
until reinforcements arrive. These will
start before the coming week is out, and
will arrive at Manila within three weeks
thereafter if weather conditions are pro-
pitious.
General Merriam, now stationed at San
Francisco will command the American
army of occupation, which will sail from
that port to the Philippines. There was
some talk of sending General Merritt. and
subsequently of putting Gen. Fitzhugh Lee
in command, but both of these projects were
abandoned If it is found that 10000 troops
will suffice that number will be drawn all
most entirely from the States west of the
Mississippi, but if a larger army is re-
quired regiments will be picked up here
and there through the East without regard
10 geographical llEeS. AuJuldlil 1SAeEdl
Corbin said the element luck would enter in
to the selection of regiments for the Phil
ippines. where the War Department finds
regiments prepared to go upon an hours
notice." said he. they may be picked up
and put in the cars for San Francisco with
out regard to where they may happen to be
stationed. 1t is the rule now and will be
hereafter that State lines will be abolished
entirely so far as the army of the United
States is concerned. Men who enlist and
are mustered into the army of the United
States become soldiers of the whole country
and not of any particular locality" The
Indiana troops being in a very forward
state of preparation for war, may be picked
up. as General Corbin describes, and it is
not impossible that the Indiana boys may
contribute to the subjugation of the Philip
pines and the acquisition of tremendously
important territory.
One thing that the administration fully
resolved upon to-day was that the Philip
pine islands would be kept in the possession
Of the United States until the end Of the
war. and would then be disposed Of by the