The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1898-05-04
No OFFICIAL NEWS
FROM DEWEY
1t VIII Have to Come By Boat
10 Hong Kong.
TROOPS WILL GO IF NEEDED
State Volunteers May Form a QuatO OIL
Landing Force in Manila.
RACE OF THE BATTLESHlP OREGON
officials Glad She Waited Until We Captur-
ed Isase of Supplies French EN-
bassy First to Receive oficial
News of the Battle.
RACE OF THE BATTLESHIP OREGON

washington, May 3-The day passed
without a single word from the American
feet in the Philippines and in view Of the
long continued interruption in cable commu-
nication, the officials are beginning resign
themselves to the belief that they must
await for their official information until
boat arrives at Hong Kong.
This will not necessarily be a naval YES
sci, for it is not believed that Commodore
Dewey, who will be admiral as soon as he
can be reached by cable. could have spared
any of his ships, even the McCulloch, to
carry dispatches before the bombardment
In ordinary times there is plenty of COM
munication by steamers as well as by ma
tive vessels between the Philippine islands
and the mainland and the officials will be
rather surprised il some news is not coming
by this means tomorrow.
If Admiral Dewey wants to hold what he
may gain in the Philippines he will be
sent as many men as he needs directly
sfrom San Francisco and it is very likely
that state volunteers will make up the
quota The cabinet talked about this to-
day and is only waiting to hear what Com
modore Dewey wants.
Meanwhile, the plans of the Cuban cam
paign are being steadily developed, and
there is no indication of change of pur-
pose on the part of the military authorities
who are expected to land an expeditionary
force in Cuba in a very short time. Admiral
Sampson SO far as the navy department
knows is steadily maintaining the blockade
of the Cuban coast, and this is not likely
to be abandoned for the present, though
two or three of his ships may be sent
away temporarily to meet the Oregon on
her way to Cuba from Rio Janeiro.
Race of the Oregon
While the officials Of the navy depart
ment naturally feel warm interest in the
race of this magnificent batteship around
the continent, they profess to feel little
anxiety as to the outcome, Notwithstanding
the current talk of an effort on the part of
the Spanish Flying squadron to cut off the
Oregon. The vessel sailed from Rio on a
course known only to the captain, and the
chances of being overtaken on the high
seas are very small. Even should the Span
ish vessels fall in with her 1t is by no
means certain, Notwithstanding their num-
bers, that she would be defeated by the
combined Spanish force, as her magnificent
armor and ordnance are superior in every
respect, size and quality to those of the
Spanish ships. The proclamation directed
against the Spanish residents of the United
States by the state department has not yet
Issued nor is it certain that ii will issue;
that probably depending upon the course
pursued by the Spanish government of their
treatment of American citizens in Spain.
No Place for Coa1ing
China issued her neutrality proclamat ton
today, so there is now no place left on the
Asatic coast open to the free use of the
war vessels of either Spain or the United
States. This is rather remarkable in that
it marks the first action of this kind on
the part of China which has never before
issued neutrality proclamation and the
naval officers are duly grateful for the
consideration shown by the Chinese in
withholding the issue of the decree until
informed that Americans had acquired a
base in the Philippine islands.
The army bought hospital ship today
for the benefit of the troops going to Cuba.
Commissary- General Nash was retired,