The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-05-16
Insurgents Are Hemming I'm the Place
and Have Secured Arms at
the Cavite Arsenal. -
CAPTURE OF A SPANISH SHIP
GUNBOAT CALLAO CAUGHT WHILE
TRYING TO RUN THE BLOCKADE.
War Department Hurrying It's Prep
arations to Send an Army of 49,
600 Men to tho Philippines.

WASHINGTON May 15.-Dispatches
from Hong-Kong to-day brought welcome
news from Admiral Dewey to the Presi-
dent and particularly 10 Secretary Long
and the naval officials who are watching
the admirars movements with so much in
terest. While no apprehension existed as
to his security. nevertheless reinsurance
of safety is always pleasant. The tele-
grams indicate that Dewey has lost none of
the prestige gained in his memorable fight
of two weeks ago, and that while he re-
frains from taking the city of Manila he
has it practically at his mercy. The ad-
miral expresses the belief that the rebels
are hemming the city IN by land, but the
made no demonstration. seems to disprove
thoroughly the published reports that they
had already entered Manila and begun a
career of bloodshed and rapine. The best
evidence of the effectiveness of the block
ade maintained by the American admiral
and also of the work of the insurgents in
surrounding the city is shown in the state
ments 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. An
other published report seems also to be
refuted by the admiraPs advices, and that
is that the rebels had raided Cavite where
the Spanish naval station was located and
where presumably large supplies of arms
and ammunition were kept. If the rebels
have been supplying themselves with arms
it must have been with the admirars con-
sent, as his dispatch is originally dated
from Cavite, indicating that he is still in
walls here over the good work being done
and the effectiveness of the blockade being
maintained by him. The dispatch as given
out by Secretary Long is as follows:
"CAVITE. April 13, via Hong-Kong, April
15.-I am maintaining a strict blockade
There is reason to believe that the rebels are
hemming in the city by land, but have made
no demonstration. There is a scarcity of
provisions in Manila. It is probable that
the Spanish Governor will be obliged to sur
render soon. I can take Manila at any mo-
menh The climate is hot and moist The
Spanish gunboat Callao was captured on
May II while attempting to run the block
ade. have plenty of coal. There is one
British, one French, two German and one
Japanese vessel here observing the situa-
tion DEWEY"
The officials are making all possible haste
to rush troonS to slInnfement AdDo;roJ
Deweys forces, so that if the Spanish Gov
ernor does surrender the former will not be
dependent on the small number of marines
which he can i'll spare from his ships, but
ing his position and maintaining order 1t
is confidently hoped here that the City of
Peking, chartered as a transport vessel,
will be able to clear from San Francisco in
succession by the other three ships en-
gagged for a similar purpose. The Peking
can carry 1000 men, which, with the marines
aboard the Charleston, just about to sail,
will be of considerable assistance to the
admiral, but far from the number which he
will need. The total number of men to be
sent will aggregate probably 1900, as Major
General Wesley Merritt, who is to command
the expedition and subsequently to be made
military governor, regards that as the least
which can maintain order in a city like
Manila, made up of many discordant ele-
ments. Over ten regiments of infantry and
have been ordered to concentrate at San
Francisco, and from these and the regulars
now in the extreme West will be taken the
men for the Philippine expedition. 1t is en-
pected here that practically all the volun-
teers will go.