Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 19, Number 69, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 May 1898 — REWARD FOR DEWEY [ARTICLE]

REWARD FOR DEWEY

The Victorious Commodore to Be Made an Admiral. ALL SIGNS POINT TO HIS PROMOTION. i 1 . Soldier* to Be Sent from the Pacific Coast to Occupy and Hold the Philippine Island*-—Action Taken by the Cabinet. Washington, May 4. —Representative Grout, of Vermont, Tuesday introduced in the house the following resolution: “Whereas, The intrepidity and skill displayed by Commodore George Dewey In his daring attack upon the Spanish fleet in Manila harbor and its total destruction, .covered as it was by the protecting guns of surrounding forts, marks him as the possessor of high qualities as a naval commander; therefore, “Resolved, That he ought to be promoted to the rank of admiral, and the president is hereby authorized to nominate him for that rank to the senate, which body is hereby authorized to confirm him, the general! laws regulating promotions in the navy to the contrary notwithstanding.” Washington, May 4.—Secretary Long announced Tuesday that as soon as the department received any official report from Commodore Dewey, confirming the press accounts of his victory in the battle of Manila, a cablegram would be sent to the officer congrutulatinghim upon the splendid performance of the American fleet undey his direction. Moreover, said the secretary, as soon as the necessary confirmation is at hand Commodore Dewey will be made admiral lp recognition of his valor. This will be accomplished immediately by an executive order designating him acting admiral, just as was done in the case of Cnpt. Sampson. Later on he probably will be nominated to tbe senate in the usual course for promotion to the rank of admiral. A Rumor Denied. Washington, May 4. —Cable communi-

cation with Manila U 84111 cut off and no report from Commodore Dewey has yet been received in Washington. Repeated rumors were afloat during the day to the effect that the British embassy had been advised of the fall of Manila just before the cable communication broke. At five o’clock Tuesday evening Sir Julian declared that he had absolutely no such information. Cabinet Meeting. Washington, May 4. The cabinet meeting Tuesday resulted in u decision to await a report from Commodore Dtwey and then to send him the number of troops he deemed necessary to enforce our control of the Philippines. The whole session was consumed in a general discussion of past events. The administration has practically decided to occupy the Philippines with a strong military force ns soon as possible after Commodore Dewey’s report, which is expected to-day, has been received. For this purpose Pucific slope troops will be used and it is expected that at least 5,000 will be enroute within the next ten days. There does not seem to be any doubt as to the government’s purpose to hold these islands pending a final settlement with Spain, when they will be used as a collateral to secure the payment to the United States of a war indemnity. As indicated in Secretary Long's request Monday for an-emergency appropriation, the government will take steps at once to supply Commodore Dewey's fleet with provisions and other supplies including ammunition and coal, and to this end will dispatch at the earliest possible moment a sufficient number of ships to supply amply all possible needs of the Asiatic squadron. Tljn Caban Cajnpolgn. Meanwhile the plans of the Cuban campaign are being steadily developed and there la no indication of a change of purpose on the part of the military authorities who are expected to land an expeditionary force in Cuba In a very short time. Admiral Sampson, so far as the navy department knows, ia steadily maintaining the blockade of the Cuban coast, and this Is not likely lo be abandoned for the present, though two or three of his ships may be sent away temporarily to meet the Oregon on her way to Cul» from Rio Janeiro. While the officials of the navy department naturally feel a warm Interest lu this race of the magnificent battleship around the continent, they profess to feci little anxiety as to the outcoihe. notwithstanding the current talk of an effort on the part oi the Spanish flying wiuadron to cut off the Oregon. Tbe

ressel sailed from Rio on a course known only to the captain and the chances of being overtaken on the high seas are very small. Even should the Spanish vessels fall in with her it is by no means certain, notwithstanding their numbers, that she would be defeated by the combined Spanish force, as her magnificent armor and ordnance are superior in everjr respect, size and quality, to those of the Spanish ships. The proclamation directed against the Spanish residents of the ’United States by the state department hes not yet been issued nor is it certain that it Will issue, that probably depending upon the course pursued by the Spanish government in their treatment of American citizens by Spain. China issued her neutrality proclamation Tuesday, so there is now no place left on the Asiatic coast open to the free use of the, war vessels of either Spain or the United States. This is rather remarkable in that it marks the first action of this kind on the part of China, has never before issued a neutrality proclamation, and the naval officers are duly grateful for the consideration shown by the Chinese government in withholding the issue of the decree uutil informed that the Americans had acquired a base in the Philippine islands. Possible Major Genernls. It is understood to have been decided to name Gen. Sliafter, who has been desTgnated to lead the army of invasion into Cuba, Gen. Fitzhugh Lee and Gen. Joe Wheeler, of confederate cavalry fame, as three of the major generals. It is regarded ns probable that the president may also nominate Gen. Woodford, former minister to Spain, to be a major general. Concerning the appointments of brigadier generals it to be the purpose of the'presideut, so far as possible, to take the candidates from the ranks of colonels in the regular army. This will disappoint some of the candidates for important commands. The exceptions, if any are made, will be in favor of those states which furnish one or more brigades of troops. In such cases, it is believed, the president will appoint

as brigadier generals officers recommended tlKhim by the governors of the states from which the troops come. To Send Supplies. New York, May 4. —A special to the Herald from Washington says: Secretary Long has taken immediate measures to relieve the United State* fleet in the Pacific of any embarrassment it might feel for want of coal. Orders have been telegraphed to the government authorities at San Francisco to select two of the swiftest ships ut that port, load them with coal and dispatch them at once’to the relief of Commodore Dewey’s squadron. , As China and Japan delayed making declarations of neutrality, some experts in international law hold that the i United States may still obtain coal in eastern ports. Commodore Dewey's achievement*, however, have caused the administration to feel that the government should no? hesitute to send him supplies at once without waiting to speculate on what eastern ports may be open to him.