St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1898-06-08

Admiral Sampson the officer reported
that the men who had sunk the Merri
mac had been taken prisoners by thu
crew of the Reina Mercedes. Admira
Cervera had ! cen much impressed by
the conspicuous bravery of the mer
who took part in the undertaking. HI
desired to assure Admiral Sampson thai
the men would receive proper treatment
as prisoners OF war.
Fierce Fighting Manila.
Washington, June 1.-THE officials
have been more anxious than they cared
to betray as to Admiral Dewey's con-
dition. They were not seriously appre-
hensive of danger to the fleet, but an I'M
preston was gaining ground that the
admiral had not maintained the same
measure of success in his operations In
Manila bay that rewarded his first ef-
fort. A report received Monday goes TO
show that his plans are working out
admirably; that he has placed upon the
insurgents the burden Of conducting
military operations against the Spanish,
and that he has prevented the corrup-
ton of the insurgent leaders which ap-
peared at one time to be threatening.
Deweys dispatch reads. 1.-THE insurg-
ents are acting energetically In the
province Of Cavite. During the past
week they have won several victories,
and have taken prisoners about 1900 men
and SO officers Of the Spanish troops, not
natives. The arsenal Of Cavite Is being
prepared for the occupation by United
States troops, on the arrival of the trans
ports"
There is some speculation as to how
the insurgents will treat the prisoners,
who are more numerous, 1t Is said, than
all the captures made by the Cuban in
surgents since their war began. 1t was
reported soon after he had secured the
cooperation of the insurgent chief,
Aguinaldo, that Admiral Dewey would
see to it that the insurgents observed
the rules Of civilized warfare. This eau
ton was made necessary by the terrible
tales circulated Of the barbarous treat
ment of prisoners captured by the in
surgents 1t Is hoped that Aguinaldo
will see that this agreement Is observed
in the case of the 1900 prisoners he now
holds, for 1t Is believed in official circles
that the nations of the civilized world
will hold the United States morally re-
sponsble for any excuses that may be
committed in the Philippines as a result
of our action there. The navy depart
ment officials declare that Dewey is not
responsible for the safekeeping and
maintenance Of these prisoners, which
is most fortunate, considering the limited
resources Of the admiral in the matter of
provisions.
The navy department gave orders that
the double turreted monitor Monadnock,
now at Mare island, Cal, should be made
ready to sail for Manila within 10 dayS
The Monterey will not wait for the
Monadnock. The navy department will
procure another merchant ship to ac-
company the Monadnock on her 6000-
mile voyage. The Monadnock is a most
powerful double turreted monitor. With
twin screws and 5000 horse power en-
gines she is easily able to make 1871
knots an hour. Built on the general lines
of the Amphitrite, she has better en-
gines and more power than tat monitor
She carries four 10-inch gu\s in two
turrets, besides two four-inch rapid
fire guns in casemate and numerous
secondary battery. Her coal capacity
Is $50 tons In bunkers, and almost as
much more storage room can be found on
the decks. Consequently the Monad-
mock has the ability to make a longer
cruise than the Monterey without re-
plenishing her coal supply, yet her ca
pacity is still too small to permit her to
make the passage from Honolulu to the
Philippines unaided.
With these two monitors, Admiral
Dewey will be fully able to take care of
himself, even should the much talked of
Cadiz fleet undertake to attack him in
Manila harbor. The monitors at their
maximum draw only 14b feet of water.
or 10 feet less than the Pelayo, and there
fore would be able to pick their position
In the shallow water where the Spanish
battleship could not possibly reach them.
and hammer away at the latter to their
hearts content, presenting themselves
so small mark as to render 1t very
difficult for the Spanish gunners to reply
effectively. No doubt Is entertained of
the MonadnoC,ts seaworthiness. for be-
fore being reconstructed at the Mare
Island navy yard she made the entire
voyage from the Delaware clear around
the Horn to San Francisco, a voyage
longer really than that made by the
Oregon.
The war department has under con-
sideration the selection of location in
the east for general point of rendezvous
for the troops that were held in reserve
for coast defense and subject to depart
ment commanders orders under the first
apportionment of troops among the
states. Several places have been sug-
gested for the camp, viz. Shelter ISL
and, Gardeners bay and Montauk Point.
Long Island, but Adjutant General Cor
bin said yesterday that no decision in
the matter had been reached by the de-
partment, and probably none would be
for several days. Montauk Point has
been suggested as the most desirable
place for the accommodation of a large
number of men, and 1t would not be sur
prising If 1t were selected. Brigadier
General Frank, commanding the depart
ment of the east, will make a recommen-
dalton In the matter to the war depart
ment before final steps are taken.
Fought For Seventy Hours.
Manila, May 81, via Hong Kong, June
1.-THE Spanish outposts have been
driven in all along the line simultane-
ously and with great slaughter. 1t is
said that over 1000 have been killed.
There was fierce hand-to-hand fight
for 70 hours, despite typhoon which