The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-05-04
No WORD FROM DEWEY.
Troops May Be Sent TO the
Philippines.
SHIPS MAY MEET OREGON.
China Issues a Neutrality PrOcIa-
nation.
CABLE TO MANILA CUT.
Nunez Expected to Bring Word
From Gomez.

Washington, May S.-The day passed
without single word from the American
fleet in the Philippines, and in view of
the long continued interruption in cable
communication the officials are beginning
10 resign themselves to the belief that they
must wait for their. official news until
boat arrives at Hong Kong. This will not
necessarily be a naval vessel, for it is
not believed that Commodore Dewey, who
will be admiral as soon as ne can be
reached by cable, could have spared any
of his ships, even the McCulloch, to carry
dispetches before the hombardment
In ordinary times there is plenty of
communication by steamers as well as by
native vessels between the Philippine Is
lands and the mainland, and the officials
will be rather surprised if some news is
not coming by this means tomorrow.
If Admiral Dewey wants troops to hold
what he may gain in the Philippines he
will be sent as many as he needs directly
from San Francisco, and it is very likely
that state volunteers will make up tho
quota. The cabinet talked about this to-
day, and is only waiting to hear what
Commodore Dewey wants.
Meanwhile the plans of the Cuban cam
paign are being developed, and there is
no indication of change of purpose on
the part of the military authorities, who
are expected to land an expeditionary
force in Cuba in very short time.
Admiral Sampson, so far as the navy
department knows, is steadily maintain
ing 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. While the officials of the navy
department naturally feel warm inter-
est in this race of the magnificent battle
ship around the continent they refuse to
feel little anxiety as to the outcome, not
withstanding the current talk of an ef-
fort on the part of the Spanish flying
squadron to cut off the Oregon. The YES
sci sailed from Rio Janero on a course
known only to the captain and the
chances of being overtaken on the high
seas are very small Even should the
Spanish vessels fall in with her it is by
no means certain, notwithstanding their
numbers, that she would be defeated by
the combined Spanish force, as her mag
nifcent armor and ordnance are super
ior 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 been is
sued nor is it certain thafit will be issued,
that probably depending upon the course
pursued by the Spanish government in
their treatment of American citizens in
Spain.
China issued her neutrality proclama ton
to-day, so there is now no place left on the
Aslatic coast open to the free use of the
war vessels of either Spain or the United
States This is rather remarkable in that
II marks the first action of this kind on the
part of China, which has never before is
sued neutrality proclamation, and the
naval officers are duly grateful for the con-
slderation shown by the Chinese govern
ment in Withholding the issue of the de-
cree until informed that the Americans
had acquired a base in the Philippine Is
lands
The army bought a hospital ship to-day
Ior the benefit Of the troops going to Cuba.
Commissary Nash was retired, making the
fourth commissary general 10 be retired
WITHIN as many months.
reports received at the navy department
from the Miantonomoh show that the
monitor was roughly handled by the storm
while making her way south to Key West
from League Island. Her decks were swept
uhd frequent delays were caused by the
uisartangement of some OF the ships
structure. Through 1t ALL however, the pro-
pellng machinery worked splendidly.
Washington will soon be gay with uni
lorms as result of an order issued to-
Gay requiring all officers to wear the uni
lorms of their proper grades.
AdJutant Gen. Corbin had conference
with the President this afternoon concern
ing the nomination of major generals and
pr'sadier generals, which, according 70
present Intentions, will be sent to the SEN
Hie tomorrow. Gen. Corbin took with him
10 the White House full list of those
Homlnatons. which had been agreed upon
Dy the war department. officials. After 20
minute conference with the President,
Gen Corbin returned to the department to
make some alterations ia the LIST suggested