New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-01-07
SHIPS AND SUPPLIES FOR DEWEY.
ALL THE GUNBOATs THAT CAN BE SPARED
TO BE SENT TO HIM.

ALL THE GuNBOATs THAT CAN BE SPARED
TO BE SENT TO HIM.
Washington. Jan g (specaD The Navy De-
na-tment received a long cipher cable dispatch
from Admiral Dewey to-day, making requisi-
,ions for ships and supplies urgently needed on
the Asiatic station The Admiral reiterated
the request he has made several times In the
last few weeks. that additional light draught
gunboats should be sent to him, notwithstand-
ing the fact that Secretary Long Informed MN
Yesterday that the Castine was starting immedi-
ately by way OF Suez. and other vessels would
follow when they could be spared. reply was
sent to the Admiral to-day that the Bennington
now on her way from Honolulu to make sur
veys at Guam, would be ordered TO Manila In
the course OF few months, and the Machias.
now repairing at Portsmouth. y. H, would fol-
low the Castne through the Mediterranean in
a few weeks on her way 70 join his heet.
Secretary Long added request to Admiral
Dewey to designate specifically any other gun
boats ne desired in order that the Department
might crafty him. II possible. The authorities
recognize the advisability Of sending all the
gunboats that can be spared to the Asatic Sta
ton. on account Of their adaptability 10 service
IN the archipelago. but. in addition TO the Con-
cord and Petrol. which now at Iloilo the
Helena Is at Port Said on her way 10 Manila
and Admiral Dewey now has in commission the
Callao. the Manila. the Culgoa and the Barcelo
which he captured from the Spanards, and in
a few weeks the Isla de Luzon and the lsa de
Cuha. which he raised and sent to Hong Kong,
will be manned by the crews sent out on the
Buffalo
He also has the captured gunboats Leyte and
Nindanao awaiting crews and when the
Machias the Castine and the Bennington JOIN
him he will have thirty vessels under his COM
nand not counting the Oregon and the Iris,
which will soon be at Honolulu. awaiting or
ders 10 go TO his support. Such large fleet
has never In times OF peace been under the
command Of a single American officer. but the
Department has such confidence in the Ad-
nnlrars Judgment that II will not hesitate to
send him any further reinforcements that he de-
mands
In his dispatch to-day Admiral Dewey calls
FOR large quantities Of plug tobacco, soap and
American food. II will be remembered thal
soon after the destruction OF MontoJos net Ine
Admiral cabled for forty thousand bars or soap
finding he could buy none IN Asiauc waters
This supply has either been exhausted or the
Admiral is determined 70 have rresh supply
on hand before IT gives out IN oraer 'hdI t"S
shall he no uacleanllress in his feet His de-
rnand for more plug tobacco g explained in let
ters which have recently reached Nashine Ooh
from officers II the fleet. telling now urea me
men are OF Philippine cigars ana now thty mss mss
their sweetened navy plug ard their clay pipes.
To carry these needed supplies the Depar'Heht
decided to-day At up the auxiliary cruiser
Yankee or her sistec ship the Prairie. ana ioau
them full OF necessities sendlns theHl 10 a'l'-
bv way OF the Suez Canal These vessels are
now at League Island out one OF them can De
cent around 10 New-York and made ready 10
start in the next two weeks