The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-05-16

Washington, May 16.--'rhe dispatches
from Hong Kong brought welcome
news yesterday from Admiral Dewey.
While no apprehension existed as to
his security, nevertheless reinsurance
of safety is always pleasant The
cablegram indicates that Dewey has
lost none of the prestige gained In his
memorable fight of two weeks ago.
and that while he refsains from taking
the city of Manila. he has It practically
ut his mercy. The admiral expresses
the belief that the rebels are hemtnins
in the city by land. but he~fact that
he says explicitly that they have made
no demonstrations was to disprova
thoroughly the published reports that
they had already entered Manila and
had begun a career of bloodshed and
rapine.
The best evidence Of the effective
ness Of the blockade maintained by the
American admiral and also OF the work
of the insurgents in surrounding the
city is shown in the statements In the
dispatches that provisions are scarce
in the city of Manila, which seems to
indicate to Admiral Dewey an early
surrender by the Spanish authorities.
Another published report seems also
to be refutcd by the admiral's advices,
and that is that the rebels had raided
Cavite. where the Spanish naval sta.
hi l,r
large supplies Of arms and ammuni-
tion were kept. If the rebels have
been supplying themselves with arms
it must have been with the admirals
consent. as his dispatch is originally
dated from Cavite, indicating that he
is still in possession. The greatest
satisfaction prevails here over the
good work being done and the effective
ness Of the blockade being maintained
by him. The Hong Kong dispatch, as
given out by Secretary Long. is as
follows:
"The United States dispatch boat
Hugh McCulloch arrived here yester-
day from Manila with dispatches for
the United States government She
reports that the Spanish gunboat Cal
lao, from the Caroline Islands. re-
Gently entered the port of Manila, be-
ing ignorant of the outbreak of hos"
tilities between Spain and the United
States. An American warship fired
across her bows and signaled her a
demand for surrender. The demand
being disregarded, the American ship
fired direct at the Spanish gunboat,
and the latter surrendered.
"The populace of Manila is reduced
to eating horse flesh, and the prospect
Of relief seems far distant.
"The Hugh McCulIoch also reports
that the Philippine insurgents applied
to Rear AG.niral Dewey for his ap-
proval Of an attack by them upon the
city. The admiral, it appears, ap-
proved Of the plan, provided no ex-
cesses were committed. The insur-
gents then pleaded that they had no
arms, with the exception of machetes,
TO which the admiral replied: Help
yourselves at the Cavite arsenal
"The city of Manila, however, has
not yet been attacked. About 5000
Spanish troops are guarding the road
leading from Cavite to Manila. There
is no truth in the reported massacre
Of number of Americans. There has
only been a tritling incident during
police duty, and nobody was hurt"
Admiral Dcwey's dispatch to Secre-
tary Long is as follows:
Cavite, May 3.-Maintaining strict
blockade. Reason to believe that the
rebels are hemming in tho city by
land, but have made no demonstra-
ton. Scarcity of provisions in Ma
nila. Probable that the Spanish COVER.
nor will be obliged to surrender soon.
Can take Manila ut any momont. Gil
mate hot and moist. On May IL cap
turod gunboat Cnllao attempting to
run blockade. Have plenty of coal.
One British, one French, two German
aud one japanese vessel here observe