Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 19, Number 69, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 May 1898 — PROBABLY A FAKE! [ARTICLE]

PROBABLY A FAKE!

A Round - About Re- • ■ port That Dewey Lost 2< 0 ' Men! The Mo* e Lively View is That no News Has Been - Receved!

Hindi I'ncnalneM at Wiuhlnifton Over Failure to Receive Definite ,Wor«l from Dewey.

San Fmncisco, May 5. —News comes from Mare Island navy yard that makes it certain the navy department has received at least a brief report from Commodore Dewey. From three different naval officers it was learned that Admiral Kirkland, in charge of the yard, received cipher dispatches from Secretary Long Wednesday morning. Two Hundred Killed. Date Wednesday night Admiral Kirkland received a telegram in cipher that 20u men were killed or wounded on the Baltimore, she having stood the heaviest shock of battle, and that the Olympia did the best she could with her torpe--does, destroying shore fortifications and abutments by means of them. It further said that no other ships suffered serious injury except the Concord and Fetrel. The upper works of both of these were destroyed, but their hulls were not damaged. They can be repaired at Manila. Urgent Order*. The significant portion of,the mestsage was the order to the quartermaster to prepare at once rations for 2,000 men for three months and to get the. Charleston ready before Tuesday, the date set for her completion of repairs. M possible. This, in connection with the chartering of a hospital ship here Wednesday, gives credence to the Mare island news, for only Tuesday the navy department eaid Dewey had taken plenty of such supplies on the transport with him. It is believed here that Dewey’s cable told of a somewhat serious situation in the Philippines and that he requested .troops and a hospital ship at once.

Officers here believe that the loss of "the Baltimore is very serious and are unable to explain it, except on the .ground that she was regarded as unlucky by sailors and they deserted in .large numbers at Hong-Kong. She is what is known as a “stormship” among •sailors since her last cruise to San Francisco, and many now here would not ship on her. She carries normally some 300 men, hence her loss, as report--ed at this yard, would practically cripple her. Admiral Kirkland's Opinion. “Without doubt,” said Admiral ■Kirkland, “there has been serious loss in Dewey’s fleet. He went into a foreign harbor, doubtless mined and heavily fortified with vessels not pretending to be armored, and the result was a victory for him over the Spanish fleet, but bow about his damage from the forts?” Admiral Kirkland, speculating on the engagement, could only see the general result of battle. He outlined Dewey’s course, showing how he rushed matters, taking the Spanish fleet unnwures, hammering them unmercifully to protect themselves. “But,” said the admiral, “people lose sight of the fact that in the meantime forts manned by skillful gunners were pouring rain of hot shot into Dewey’s fleet, particularly the Olympia und Baltimore, and this is what caused the destruction on these ships, particularly the latter.”

Anxiety In W nnliinutmi. Washington, May s.—There is con•dderhble anxiety here caused by the failure to hear from Admiral Dewey The reports which were widely circulated Wednesday morning that the McCulloch had arrived at Hong-Kong gave u foundation for the belief that the anxiety which has existed since the Manila cable was cut would soon be relieved. Now that the day passed without a word from Admiral Dewey the apprehension has become acute. All sorts of predictions are current, from the total destruction of his fleet to his capture. The opinion most widely expressed is that Admiral Dewey entered Manila bay, annihilated the Spanish fleet, bombarded the town, but could not capture the forts guarding the harbor. While, of course, it is mere speculation, fear is expressed that our fleet Is now shut up in thg harbor and cannot get a dispatch to Hong-Kong asking for relief. The naval officers who will express an opinion are inclined to believe that Dewey decided to postpone advices until he could report the capture of Manila. Had he dispatched a message immediately after the naval engagement it should have reached Hong-Kong by this time. If, however, he has waited until he completed operations, news may not be received from him for a day or two. He probably gave 24 hours’ notice of his intention to bombard the town, and the bombardment itself may have required hours. At any rate, it is reasonable to wait a day or two longer before entertaining appre*

hensions as to the fate of Dewey and his gallant sailors, / question of Sending: Troops. Should it be decided finally, by the president to send troops to assist Admiral Dewey to hold Manila, the war department officials say that the small number of regular soldiers available are ready to move. It is thoug-ht, however, that if troops are sent they will be made up largely from the volunteer forces that readily could be concentrated at San Francisco from Various states west of the Ijocky mountains. Such regular troops as might be available are several companies of the Fourteenth infantry, stationed at Vancouver barracks (the larger portion of this regiment being in Alaska), the Eighth cavalry, at Fort Meade, S. D.; the Fourth cavalry, some of which are at Vancouver nnd others in California, and the Third artillery, also located on the coast. It is believed, however, that the officials would be disinclined to part with the artillery, as it maybe needed for the defense of the Pacific mast, and they do not think it at all likely cavalry would be sent, because of the great expense entailed in the shipment of the horses nnd the lack of transportation facilities.