The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-05-05
TROOPS TO Be SENT, TOO
THAT is IL COMMODORE DEWEY
WANTS THEM.
PRESIDENT DOLE OFFERS HAWAII
The Island Would be Of Valuable Assistance
TO the United States Now Reported
tat Spanish Fleet Has
Returned TO Cadiz

Washington. ID. c.. May A sen.
sution was caused throughout the city
by the news that came this morning OF
the arrival of vessel supposed to be
the dispatch boat McCulloch, at Mrs
Bay, forty miles from Hong Kong, the
cable terminus. The officials immedi-
ately fell into an air of expectancy
waiting for some word from Admiral
Dewey that would not only confirm Of
ticialy the stirring news of the battle
of Manila, as reported by the press, but
telling what had happened since the
cable was interrupted. Up to the close
of office hours, however, no word had
come from Hong Kong.
Great interest is felt in the reported
return of the Spanish Cape Verde fleet
to CadiZ, but while admitting the pos
Sibilty of the fast vessels of the Spanish
Flying Squadron making the passage in
the five days that they have been out
from st. Vincent. the naval officers were
disposed to regard with suspicion news
of this kind emanating from Portoguai,
because of the recognized sympathy OF
the Portuguese with the Spanish side.
1t would be worth good deal TO the
Spanish Admiral, commanding the Fly
ing Squadron, surprising he were on his
way across the Atlantic To throw us off
our guard by having MS believe that he
had deturned to Spain.
The Navy Department has now secur-
ed two vessels. the Australia and the
City of Picking in San Francisco. which
will be loaded with coal and supplies
and rushed off to DIN Commodore
Dewey's fleet. Whether or not they will
carry troops will be determined positive
| ly when the Commodore is heard from
upon this matter.
The Navy Department is hurrying to-
gether an exceptionally large stock of
ammunition to 30 forward by the City
of Picking, to recruit the ammunition of
Commodore Dewey's fleet. The first
| shipment of projectiles left New York
yesterday. and additional shipments will
he made until the full quota Of powder
and shot will he in SAP Francisco
within the next ten days. ~prhere will be
total of more than 10000 proiectiles
Of various caliber and weight The
Navy Department is fortunate in hav-
ing laid in an ample stock of projectiles
of all weights and sizes, so that there
will be no delay in getting full supply
ready for shipment to Commodore
Dewey. The supply of powder is not so
readily obtained. as powder has been
distributed to the several fleets and
ships as fast as it has come from the
mills.
But owing to the emergency in the
case of the ASiatic fleet powder intend
ed for other uses will be sent to Com
modore Dewey. The recent explosions
of powder milsl have not crippled the
Navy Department in securing supplies of
powder. but they have caused some de-
| lay in filling the orders of the War De-
partment.
No new official news has come to con-
firm the report from Hawaii that the
islands have been rendered to the
United States for war uses. 1t is said
that if the incoming mail brought the
proposition to San Francisco it would
scarcely be trusted to telegraph there
on account of its Importance. but would
be forwarded by the mails which would
bring it here in about five days. With
out exception the naval officers would
welcome the possession of Hawaii just
AT this moment as affording a magniti-
| Client base for navay operations i'll the
| Pacific but. it is said. President Dole's
proposition must be submitted to Con-
gress. so that it will be for the legisla
tive end of the government to pass
upon this offer.
The fine British cruiser Blake left
Gibraltar to-day bound straight for Rio
and it is supposed here that she goes
to observe any engagement that might
threaten the Oregon and the Spanish
| fleet.
| The nomination to-day Of Il number
Of major generals and brgadier generals
| is an indication of the purposes of the
| President 10 avail himself Of the fun
number Of troops called for by his pro
| clamation and even to follow the call by
another very soon. for it is evident that
there are not enough commands to &c
around properly among the officers al
ready nominated.
Assistant Secretary Roosevelt soon to
be Lieutenant Colonel Roosevelt. to-day
received several gratifying kilograms
| from the West announcing the rapid
organization Of Col. Woods regiment OF
| n,ouufnJ piUaman