The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-03-11
HAS SITUATION WELL IN HAND.
Will Not Be Relieved From Command ex.
cept on Request Made by Himself.
STEADILY CARRYING OUT HIS PLANS.
Expeditions Morng on fIacss That Have Not
Already Been Captured + Blockade 10 Prevent
Landing War Munitions FOR Rebels.

washington. March lit can be
stated on authority that Admiral Dewey
Will not be relieved at Manila until he
chooses TO make application for such
relief. So far he has not given any
inttmation OF purpose TO apply for
relief In the immediate future, and the
department has every reason to be-
lieve that he does not contemplate any
such action. Consequently there is no
foundation for the story that Admiral
Schley or any other admiral has been
selected TO take command OF the Asiatic
station.
80 FAR as the navy department is con-
cerned. the directing officials are not
only willing. but anxious, that Dewey
snail complete the task, and they dep
recate the circulation OF such stories
as those alleging that he is TO be re-
neVed, for the reason that the impress
sion might be conveyed 10 the admiral
that IN" department would like to re-
neNe him. In the case of man OF
bewcys punctilous feeling, the mere
suggestion. IL he had the slightest reason
10 heheVe IL had an official foundation,
would be sufficient to- induce him To
spply Immediately for relief rather than
TO cmbarrass the department. As
Dewey himself fixed the limitation of his
stay by the length OF the task before
him, II may be a matter OF interest TO
record the belief Of many naval officers
that after all the end is almost within
sight Dewey has established HIM
self In Manila he has assisted in the
taking of Hello, he has sent forces To
xxsffh tl,
to Eegros. The principal ports OF the
Philippines have all been taken over
into American possession in large part
through his cooperation with the army.
There remain only a few ports OF inn
portance, notably Zamboango on Min
canao. and perhaps one of the towns
In the Suiu archipelago will be occupied.
Expeditions are row moving in these
directions. and that branch of the work
viii be soon closed up.
There VIII remain only two more
phases OF the campaign TO require
Dewey's assistance. First and near
at hand, is the driving off of the Tag
aios under Agulnaldo near Manila.
with Lawtoa landing yesterday al Ma
Mia with his reinforcements. and the
other reinforccments expected soon.
General OTIS movement I'm force is near
at hand. The navy viii aid in this
Ships can be placed In proper positions
on the shores OF the bay of Manila To
command the country for many miles.
and by cooperation with the army.
through the agency OF the signal corps.
the insurgents can be shelled out OF the
junsles many miles inland by the war
ships.
The next, and last feature of Deweys
task. will be the establishment OF a
close blockade 10 prevent munitions of
war or supplies from reaching the in
surgents. providing there are any in
surGents remaining after Otis and Law
toy have made their forward move.
When this has been done, when there
is nothing further in the way Of fight
ing for the warships TO do, it is believed
that then Dewey's task probably will
be regarded r finished by himself, and
II will be tine for the navy department
TO consider the question of successor
TO the command of the Asiatic station.