The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-05-25
All Foreigners to Be Given Refuge In
Cavite, the Suburban Town I'm
der American Control.
FOOD GROWING VERY SCARCE
ALLEGED THREAT OF THE GERMAN
CONSUL TO LAND PROVISIONS.
Unconfirmed Report that Dewey Re-
man Cruisers-InsurScnts Active.

----@----------
WASHINGTON, May A.-The Navy De-
partment to-day received cablegram from
Admiral Dewey dated Manila. May 90 via
| Hong Kong, May "a, in which he said there
was danger of a revolt of Spanish soldiers,
and that foreigners residing in Manila
would be taken to Cavite. The admiral
| ported great scarcity of provisions. There
was no confirmation of the rumor that the
| admiral threatened to fire on German war
ships if they landed supplies. While the sit
uation at Manila is not materially changed,
both the Navy and War Departments are
gratihed that relief is on the way to Ad-
miral Dewey.
| The Philippine expedition is ROW off in
| dead earnest. The sending of these troop
ships will affect the Hawaiian question vi
tally Like the Charleston, the transports
must stop at Hawaii to replenish their coal
bunkers from the great heaps of coal that
Consul General Hayward has piled up for
months past. If the Hawaiians let us take
lIllS wal WllllOul liAC PAStS<AN NAeAt w "a
using it to make our way to our nearest
home port as is required by international
| law in such cases, they will stand convicted
! of a gross breach of neutrality that, in the
| eyes of the law of nations, allies them with
| the United States in hostility to Spain. The
taking of coal by the American ships at
| Hawaii to make an extensive campaign
| against the Spanish possessions, it is be-
| lieved here, will result in compelling the
| United States either to assume protecto-
| rate over the islands or TO annex them.
I'VE have not secured any new ships. but
are still negotiating for the Colon and
China" said Assistant Secretary Meikeljohn
at the close of business hours to-day. The
difficulty with these ships has been the ques-
! ton of price, the owners of them and the
department officials being unable to agree
on the rates to be paid. Mr.. Meikeljohn has
not yet put into execution his threat to i'm
| press some of the steamers on the Pacific
| coast into the service of the United States,
! and he hopes this will not be necessary, but
| that the companies will come forward
promptly and offer their vessels to the gov
| ernment at reasonable rates. 1t is believed
| to be likely, however, that a recommenda-
| ton will be made to Congress granting an
| American registry to the Tacoma, Victoria
and Argyll of the Northern Pacific steam
| ship line, so that they may be fitted out for
/ use as transports as PROMPTLY as possible.
| The steamer Ohio, vessel of 1900 tons, be-
| longing to the Empire Transportation Com
| pany, has been offered to the government,
| and the question of her acceptance is under
| consideration. She is at Seattle. A large
number of ships have been offered to the
| department, even at reasonable rates, but
| they were in such condition that the officials
| promptly refused them on the ground that
| it would not be safe to send troops in them.
| Should the government decide to ask that
an American registry be given to all six
vessels of the Northern Pacific Steamship
! Company, and they be secured for transport
| purposes, these, with the five ships already
| secured and the China, Colon and Ohio,
would furnish accommodations, 1t is be-
lieved here, for between 1900 and 1900 men
| just about the number which the War De-
partment will send to Admiral Dewey. An
earnest effort will be made to secure the
/ American boats but it is very plainly set
| forth by Mr.. Maikeijohn that the officials
| will not lose further unnecessary time, but
| will instead ask that American registry be
| given to certain foreign vessels or else i'm
| press American steamers into service. The
! advices received to-day at the department
were that the Peking. Sydney and Australia
would sail from San Francisco for Manila
tonight
| A dispatch was received by Adjutant
| General Corbin late this afternoon from
| Major General Otis, at San Francisco, which
conveyed to the War Department officials
very gratifying information. The dispatch
which was sent this afternoon, is as fol-
| lows: Steamer Sydney, with troops on
board and prepared to SAIL is anchored in
| the bay beside the City of Peking. The
Australia is loaded and ordered to leave
| her dock at 4 o'clock this afternoon and
anchor in the bay I am not sufficiently
| informed when the Peking will complete
/ loading naval stores. but understood that it
will be this evening. The hour of departure
of the three vessels depends upon the naval
authorities. The strength of General Ander-
sons command is III officers and 1882 en-
| listed men, The navy contingent consists of
| IL officers and 76 enlisted men. Total for
the three vessels. 12s officers and 2,45s en-
| listed men,.
Assistant Secretary of War Meikeljohn re-
ceived dispatch from Mr.. Arthur Sewen
| of Bath Me-. candidate for Vice President
on the Democratic ticket in 1896, offering
on behalf of Arthur Sewell G. Co the shin
Roanoke now at San Francisco, to the gov
| ernment for transport purposes. The Roa-
| noke is of 1859 tons register and has a ca
| paclty of 5000 tons. Mr.. Sewell says the
| ship can be fitted for about $500 men and
| 800 tons of freight. She is now under char
/ ter for New York, but Mr. Sewell expresses
| the opinion that he can arrange TO cancel
| the charter If the government is in need
of the vessel Secretary Meikeljohn imme-
diately telegraphed to san Francisco 10