The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-04-21

Washington April 19.-The navy de-
partment having requested correction
of the portions of Admiral Dewey's dis
patch of yesterday which were not de-
cipherable were today able to furnish
the full text Of the dispatch which is
as follows:
Manila, April IS, 1899.
Secretary of the Navy, Washington:
"The Yorktown visited Baler, Luzon.
east coast of Luzon, P. l., April 18th,
for the purpose of rescuing and bring
ing away Spanish forces, consisting Of
eighty soldiers, three officers, and two
priests, which were surrounded by 400
insurgents. Lieutenant ]. c. Gilmore,
after making an examination Of the
mouth of the river in an armed boat
was ambushed, fired upon and cap
tured. Fate unknown, as insurgents
refused to communicate afterward."
CHere follows list of missing).
The officials Of the navy department
are confident that such of the men OF
the Yorktown as escaped being killed
outright in the first ambuScade Will be
we'll treated by the insurgents. Some
time ago the war department made in
quiry as to the number of American
prisoners held by the Philippines In
reply General Otis referred to two SUCH
soldiers, and said that they were being
fairly treated by the insurgents, he
supplying funds to defray the cost of
their. food. The reports made to the
navy department by Paymaster Will
cox, one of Dewey's officers, who made
a trip across the island OF LuZon from
Manila ITO the north coast, described the
condition Of the Spanish officials VINO
were the prisoners of the insurgents,
as very comfortable. In many cases ne
said the officials were only nominally
in confinement, being allowed the lib
erty of the towns.
The officials are hopeful that Gilmore
and his men who survived the ambus-
cade will some day regain their LID
erty.
The department has sent no instruc-
tions to Admiral Dewey as to the course
he shall pursue, believing that ne is ful-
ly competent to deal with the situation
and resting secure in the assurance that
he will spare no efforts to rescue Gill;
more and his men if they are alive.
The following cables have been re-
ceived from General Otis:
Manila, April 19.
"Adjutant General, Washington:
General Lawton returned from the
lake country on the 1fh instant
bringing the captured vessels. 1nsur-
gents much scattered; retreat before
our forces await opportunity to at
tack detachmentS. Better class of peo-
pie tired of war, and desire peace. En-
emy build hopes on return OF our vol
unteers to United States. Its army
demoralized and loss by desertions and
death large Will probably prosecute
guerrilla warfare, looting and burning
country which is occupied. Health and
spirits of troops good. Volunteers re-
turn will commence about May 9TH.
Will render willing service until re-
turn transports available. Reports
from Visayan islands continue very en-
couraging. Inter-island commerce
heavy; customs receipts increasing.
OTIS"
DISAPPEARANCE OF LIEUTEN-
ANT GILMORE AND PARTY.
Manila April 19.-4:35 p. mad
miral Dewey has been notified of the
strange disappearance of Lieutenant J.
c. Gilmore and fourteen members OF
the crew of the United States gunboat
Yorktown. On Saturday last the
Yorktown anchored off Baler on the
east of the island of Luzon and about
200 miles from here, where there was
Spanish garrison OF about nifty men
which had been defending itself agains'
several hundred Philippines for months
past.
Lieutenant Gilmore, Ensign STANDBY
and a boats crew were sent up the
river from Baler bay to communicate tt
with the Spaniards, the town of Balel
being situated some distance inland
Ensign Standley, who landed at the
mouth of the river, reports that the
heard three volleys, a bugle call ano
cheers from up the river, but that the
automatic gun which was part of the
equipment of the boat, was not heard
firing. Standley, later, padded to the
Yorktown in a canoe. A search wa:
made for the Yorktown's boat and ne
crew, but no trace of them was tount
and the Yorktown sailed for Iloilo. from
which place her commander capIed q
Admiral Dewey his theories that tn
Philippines had captured or sunk tn
boat or that the Standards had rescue'
the American party.
A scouting party of American aroop
today found a rebel skirmlsn nne NOR
than a mile long east Of Malolos.
sharp fusillade followed, but no losse
We're sustained.
Brfigadier General Charles King, wn
has been taken suddenly i'll and VINO !
unable to continue in command OF M
brigade. has been relieved Of furthe
duty and has been ordered to return Z
the United States on the nrst trans
port sailing from here for home.
PRESENT ARMY SUFFICIENTL'
LARGE.
Washington, April ia conferenc
held at the White house today betwee
the president, Secretary Alger, Secre
tary Long and Adjutant General Cor
bin, resulted in the confirmation OF tn
original decision of the adminiStrat1o
to refrain at present from awaiting 1t
self of the authorization conferred b
congress to organize volunteer arm
of $4,000 soldiers in addition ia th
present regular army.