Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 19, Number 89, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 July 1898 — HE ACTS PROMPTLY. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

HE ACTS PROMPTLY.

Djwey Balks Alleged Plans of Germany. HIS CAPTURE OF GRANDE ISLAND. ... ; German Gunboat Prevent* luiurgenti from Attacking Spaniard*, and tbe Admiral Goes Promptly to the Rescue. Washington, July 14. The navy department has received from, Admiral Dewey the following dispatch: Aguinaldo informs me hfs troops have taken all of Subic bay except Isla Grande, which he was prevented from taking by the German man-of-war Irene. On July 7 the Raleigh and Ooncord went there; they took the island and about 1,300 men,- with arms and ammunition. No resistance. 'The Irene retired from the bay on their a'rrival. “I shall send the Boston to Cape Engano about July 16 to second army detachment, i It is not practicable to send to Guam. No transport vessels available. '(Signed) DEWEY.” I‘lenHcd with Dewey. Turning to the far east it was re- ‘ freshing to receive good news again . from Dewey. In fact it is beginuing ' to be remarked that that officer is usually able to make felicitious reports. The administration is very i much pleased with the readiness shown by the admiral in meeting the ! grave issue presented to him at Subic 1 bay and just reported as he did. Naval officers, too, were not a little gratified at the speedy retirement of the German cruiser Irene after the | appearance of the Raleigh and Concord. A comparison of the ships shows ! that the Irene was much the superior | to either of the two American vessels,

and in tonnage was almost as large as the Releigh and Concord together. From this it is inferred that the retirement of the Irene was fropi motives of general policy, rather than from any disposition to try conclusions with the two American ships. Not Regarded a* a Menace. In official quarters here there appears to be no disposition to look upon the action of the Irene as a menace which will require explanation. It was thought at first that this first outward show of force on the part of the German ships might lead to an inquiry by this government as to the purposes of Germany. Thus far, however, there is no disposition to make such inquiry, or to attach serious import to the incident. > Capturefl Spanlah Garriaon. New York, July 14.—A special copyright cable from Manila, July 10, to the New York Journal, says: Admiral Dewey early on July 7 dispatched the Raleigh and Coucord to take Grande island in Subic bay and capture the garrison. The cruisers shelled the principal ports on the island, destroying the earthworks and other fortifications, and laying the torpedo station in ruins. They then sent out a launch with a message demanding surrender. There was no response, and the Raleigh finally sent a six-inch shell through the commodore'* house. The white flag was instantly run up on the ruins of rhe earthworks. A landing party demanded absolute surrender. The Spanish colonel, Rio, realizing his hopeless position, made submission and gave up his sword. The 500 men comprising the garI rison were made prisoners and their ! rifles were taken from them. ] Forty thousand rounds of ammu- | nition and one Hotchkiss gun were also i captured. Tbe victory gives the Americans I control of Subic bay. Dcfcntfl Gerinany’a Plana. Admiral Dewey's possession of Subic buy defeats Germany's supposed I plans to interfere in the Philippine*. The insurgents have captured the I valuable merchant coast steamer - named Philipinas. The native crew | killed the officers of the ship before I her capture. Although the attitude of the Germans is still irritating,Admiral Dewey is managing them wijh great diplomacy. He does not expect any trouble with them. • The blockade wdll hereafter be more rigid. Only the supply ships of the

American and foreign fleets are allowed to enter. Germans Assist S|>anlnrd». London, July 14. —The Hong-Kong correspondent of the Daily Mail says: Gen. Aguinaldo declares that both the Spaniards and the Germans have made overtures to him, though he declines to divulge their import. .United States Consul Wildman asserts that Admiral Dewey could compel the surrender of Manila to-morrow if he liked. He says his dispatches show ihat the Germans continue to interfere, their action causing much anxiety, as it is said they are assisting the Spaniards by landing flour and other supplies, and moreover, that the German officers have been seen in the Spanish trenches.

This Spaniard, commonly known as Gen. Toral, Is the military governor of Santiago de Cuba, the commander of the forces that are blocking the way of Shafter’s soldiers, and one of the most experienced officers in the Spanish army.

GEN. DON JOSE TORAL Y VELASQUEZ.