Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 19, Number 67, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 April 1898 — A BATTLE EXPECTED [ARTICLE]

A BATTLE EXPECTED

Naval Eigigemjnt Off Philippine I lands Looked For. ASIATIC SQUID.(OS Off FOB MASHA. ApanlKh Admiral Announce* HU Flee! in Position Ready to Fl»ht— SpaJi"J; lards Preiwriosf to Boiuburtl Oar Coast Cities. Madrid, April 28. An official dispatch from Manilla announces that the Spanish fleet has sailed to take up its position to meet the United States squad- ] ron. The latter had not been sighted when the cable message was sent; but j the Anierican warships were expected 1 At any moment. The minister of marine expressed the belief that the United States squadron would reach Manilla in about“6o hours, -and a battle, therefore, is expected in about three days. The naval men here who are acquainted with the Philippine islands believe the Spanish squadron will take up a position near Cavite, so as to be supported by the batteries there and at Manilla. London, April 28. —According to a special dispatch received here Wednesday from Madrid the Spanish minister of marine, Admiral Bermejo, received A cipher message from the Spanish admiral in command at Manilla, Admiral Montejo, announcing that after taking the measures necessary to organize the naval defenses of Manilla and Cavite, he was about to sail with his Squadron to take up a position and await the coming of the United States fleet. Oft (or (Manila. London, April 28. —The Hong Kong correspondent of the Times says the American squadron sailed direct for

Manila at two o’clock Wednesday afternoon. Chief Aguinaldo will take charge of the insurgent forces at Manila. Admiral Dewey has issued strict orders that no barbarous or inhuman acts are to be perpetrated by the insurgents. The primary object is the capture of the Spanislj fleet which Admiral Dewey thinks more important than capturing Manila. He is determined to prevent its preying upon American vessels. On reaching Manila he will demand its capitulation within half an hour of his arrival. Every preparation has been made. The ships are cleaned and painted for battle and the general opinion is that the fight in these waters will result in an easy victory for America. Het ships carry 122 guns as against 90 or thereabouts in the Spanish fleet. The cooperation of the American fleet with the rebels has been kept a strict secret. The latter await the arrival of the fleet when Manila must soon Buccumb. Iti defenses are in a wretched state. The Opposing; Fleets. Loudon, April 28. —The United States Asiatic squadron, mobilized at Mars bay, China, consists of the flagship Olympia, one of the best cruisers afloat, Capt.C. V. Gridley, Rear Admiral George Dewey, commander in chief; cruiser Baltimore, Capt. N. M. Dyer; cruiser Boston, Capt. Frank Sildiez; cruiser Concord, Commander Asa A. Walker; cruiser Raleigh, Capt. F. B. CoghLan; gunboat Petrel,Commander E. P. Wood; dispatch boat Hugh McCulloch; steamer Nanshan, ship; steamer Zaflro, collier. The Spanish fleet at the Philippine islands may be able to resist the United States fleet for a short time with the assistance of the guns from the Spanish forts, but otherwise the Americaii vessels would make very short work of the Spanish squadron, which consists of the following vessels: Cruiser Reina Cristina, cruiser Castilla, cruiser Velasco, cruiser Don Juan de Austria, gunboat Paraguay, gunboat Ullca, gunboat El Cano, gunboat General Lezo, gunboat Marquese Del Duero, transport General Alava, transport Manilla, transport Cuba. To Bombard American Coast Towns. London, April 28.—1 tis reported here from Madrid that the destination oi the Spanish fleet, which is said to have been at sea for several days, is unknown tp anyone but the minister of marine, Admiral Bermejo. But It is added that news is expected before long at the Spanish capital of the bombardment oi American towns. The reports from Madrid also say that Spanish naval authorities are satisfied that Spain can easily force the blockade of Cube when she desires to

do so. But in the meantime it is explained that as the governors of Cuba and Puerto Kico have advised the Spanish government that they do nos need the fleet, the government has decided to “utilize the warships elsewhere.” Bayonne, France, April 28. —According to a letter just received here from Madrid, dated from the Spanish capital on Tuesday, a Spanish squadron, consisting of four ironclads and three torpedo boat destroyers, sailed for the United States Tuesday. It was rumored that the squadron was to steam direct across the Atlantic and bombard northern ports of the United States. The port from which this squadron sailed was not mentioned. It was added, however, that, a second squadron, consisting of four ironclads and two cruisers, was being formed at Cadiz. Its destina-tion-was unknown. Watching; (or American Vessel*. Gibraltar, April 28. —A Spanish warship aud a torpedo boat destroyer have been cruising all day long in the straits of Gibraltar, evidently seeking American vessels. Quiet In Madrid. Madrid, April 28.—Madrid Is absolutely unmoved. The capture of the American bark Saranac by a Spanish gunboat near Manila caused a momentary excitement, but the town is expectant of the result of the action likely to occur off the Philippines and awaits the outcome with perfect confidence. ‘ Terror Capture! a Prise. Key West, Fla., April 28. The prize brought in here Wednesday morning by the United States Detroit is the small Spanish coasting steamer Ambrosq i Bolivar. She was captured by the United States monitor Terror, Capt. N. Ludlow, off Cardenas, Tuesday night. She surrendered forthwith. The Bolivar was richer than she looked, as was learned when $70,000 of silver specie was found stowed away in her, beside a cargo of bananas and 300 casks of wine. She was bound from Port Linqion, Costa Bica, for Havana, by way of Cardenas, with seven passengers

doubt whether the Spanish fleet will make a stand against the American ships. Their reason for this belief is that the Spanish fleet is very inferior to the American force under Admiral Dewey. The department therefore is satisfied that the Spanish fleet will not go to do battle on the high seas with Admiral Dewey, but will remain in port to secure the protection of the batteries of Manila and the department is not expecting an engagement for about two days. Without giving any explanation for setting this time, the department allows It to be surmised that the estimate is based on its knowledge of Admiral Dewey’s whereabouts. There is no certainty that there will be an engagement at all In the immediate future, the main purpose of the American expedition being to seize and hold some suitable Spanish territory in the Philippines as a base of operations In Asiatic waters. It is possible that thi* can be done without attacking the other at all, by seizing a suitable port at some adjacent island, without fortifications, the sympathies of whose inhabitants are towards the insurgents. Rumor Doubted. The very fact that the Madrid officials have rather ostentatiously declared that the Spanish fleet lias sailed to bombard the cities on the North America., coast 1b taken as a certain Indication at the navy department of the utter improbabllty of such u movement. It this were contemplated the Spanish officials would be the very last to make their purpose public. M my Not Get at It Before Fall. In the war department there is a growing belief that the campaign proper in Cuba will not be in full swing iiefore next fall, when the rainy season has ended. That belief, however, has not prevented the officers whose duty it is to get the troops together from pushing their work with the greatest en: ergy. Thus within 12 hours after ths Hull bill became a law the department was able to begin to send out circulars prescribing the methods to be followed In recruiting the regular army up to its full war strength of 01,000 men. The enormous amount of work Involved in thus Increasing the army, regular and volunteer, has caused Gen. Miles to abandon his southern trip for the present. llx'roKlnii Order* fanned. Washington, April 28. —Orders were issued Wednesday to recruit the army to its full war strength of 01,000 men. Batteries Ordered Sonth. Chickamauga National Park, Ga., April ( 28. —Late Wednesday night it was learned on what is considered good au- j thority that orders had been received