Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-05-07
THE DEWEY DELAY.
II Shows at Least That Spanish Don't
Control Manila.
THE AMERICAN COMMANDERS PLANS.
His Work Mas Pretty Extensive to
Be Completed in a Few Days.
ADMIRAL SIMPSONS MOVEMENTS.
Interesting News with Respect to
Them Expected SOOn-NO indica-
German Neutrality Confirmed.

udy VI NdltlhS III the NAVY anu Stdtc Lc-
partments, the doors were again closed
i'm the evening without word from Com
modore Dewey, or any other reliable
source. as to what happened at Manila
after the cable broke.
rumors that cable communication had
been restored. but these were soon found
to be baseless, and the excitement sub
sided. One comfort the officials take in
the situation, although It is of a negative
character, is the fact that the lack of
communication is a probable evidence
that the Spaniards, at least, are not in
control at Manila; else they would
speedily communicate the fact to the rest
Of the world through the cable.
If the delay means anything. it is be-
lieved not to be more serious than that
Commodore Dewey has been delayed in
carrying out fully his plans for the oecu-
patton of Manila. In other words, it may
not have been possible for the COmmo-
dore. within the short space Of two days,
to effect the destruction of the Spanish
fleet. the silencing of the forts at Cavite.
the seizure of Corregidor Island, the cap
ture Of Manila, and finally the restoration
of cable communication.
DEWEY'S PROGRAMME.
If he has been delayed beyond Tuesday
or Wednesday in carrying out this exten-
sive programme, it is not at 'all surprising
that he has not been heard from through
a dlspatch-boat
The State Department is i'm close touch
with Consul Wildman. at Hongkong, who
is expected to supply the earliest possible
news from the Philippines. The only
message received from the Consul to-
day was one informing the department
that four families OF refugees in the
Philippines had petitioned for admission
to United States citizenship, something
manifestIy impossible for the Consul to
grant, under the naturalization laws.
1t is barely possible that the first news
70 come may be through British sources,
inasmuch as all British cable subyentions
contain a clause giving the British Gov
ernment precedence in the use of the
cables i'm an emergency.
SAMPSON.
Respecting Admiral SIMPSONS move
ments, the department is still mute, al
though 1t is apparent that interesting
news is expected on that subject within
the next three days. Therefore. it is quite
certain that the rumor which originated
in London to the effect that Sampson
has undertaken a campaign IN the Cana
ries IS dismissed without attracting atten-
ton at the hands of the officials since
it would be manifestly impossible for the
Admiral to arrive at the Canaries within
so short a space Of time as three days.
Again. the monitors I'm his feet could not
carry coal enough 10 make the passage.
Moreover. the Naval Strategy Board is
not sending out notifications Of contem-
plated strategic moves. A leading diplo-
matte official said there was no reason
why foreign nations should be given ad-
vance information of an attack on the
Canaries. Since the United States was
conducting a war, 1t had the right, he
said to choose its own points Of attack.
without keeping other governments adj
vised of its purposes.
INTERVENTION REPORT.
The London report that the Continental
Powers were seeking to have England
join them in Intervention was also lack
ing in verihcation in official and dipo-
matte quarters here The State Depart
ment has received no suggestion Of such
Intervention. and does not believe it is
contemplated The foreign representatives,
here. including those of Great Britain,
France, Germany and Russia. meet these
reports with specific denials, and declare
that Intervention is not being discussed
In any way at the present time.
GERMAN NEUTRALITY.
the uttefdnce OF EnpetOT Nllldm pe-
fore the Reichstag to-day confirmed what
the German officials here have maintain
cd from the hrst-namely, that Germany
would observe strict neutrality, even
though no decree was issued.
The German embassy has been rein
forced by the arrival Of Captain-Leute-
nant Won Reuber, of the Imperial German
navy. who becomes naval attache of the
embassy here.