May 28, 1898.]
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
structed differently and he thought he had | The British Consul protested against any better withdraw the case.
Judgment was given for defendant.
SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR.
THE AMERICAN REINFORCEMENTS FOR THE PHILIPPINES.
bombardment, inasmuch as there was not a single rebel in the place. His words, however, had no effect, and in consequence thousands of pounds' worth of property was wantonly des troyed.
With regard to the defences at Cebu and Iloilo Mr. Doerr says many of the guns are of a most antiquated design, some of them being over a hundred years old. Only about one- half of the Spanish troops in the Philippines are at Manila, the rest being distributed among Iloilo, Cebu, and other places.
23rd May. Latest advices lead us to conclude that the American reinforcements for the Philippines will be nearer 20,000 than 15,000. In addition to the City of Peking, the City of Sydney and the
Tho Singapore Free Press of May 14th says: Australia, two big American steamers ou the
—“The Gulf of Martaban left Manila ou the Australian line, are being utilised for the trans-244h ult, the day before the battle of Manila port of the troops, and the cruiser Charleston
Bay, and at that time the American squadron will act as convoy.
was fully expected and preparations were being ruade to meet them, the Spanish vessels having all been painted lead colour and firing practice being undertaken from the Forts at Cavite, On arrival at Cebu they heard of the defent of ¦ the Spanish squadron, but in Cebu itself every. thing was kept up till the time they left on the 8th inst. At Cebu the greater part of the town was in ruins as the result of the recent bom- bardment, when several thousand natives aud
The American battle ship the Oregon is also on her way to Manila. She is one of the finest armoured vessels in the U.S. Navy, being a similar ship to the Indiana and the Massachusetts. She is a comparatively new vessel, having only been launched in 1893. She cost £597,00 The fi. lowing additional particulars with regard to her will interest our readers-Displacement, 10,288 tons; length 348 feet; beam 69 ft. 3 iu.; mean draft of water 24 ft.; propellers 2; indicated horse power 9,000; armour, belt 18 inches, c.t. 10 inches, turret or battery 17 inches, 8 to ti small T.; guus, four 13-inchs, eight Sin, four 6-inch, twenty six-pounder Q. F., six l-p.ir. do.. four m.; speed from 16 to 175 knots an hour.
The report that 15,000 additional Spanish, troops were being sent out to the Philippines is discounted at Washington, investigations having
led to no confirmation of the report. AN AMERICAN MINER FROM CEBU IN HONGKONG.
Those on board the Gulf of Marlahun expected to hear that Manila had been bombarded, but on learning that the Americans were awaiting reinforcements one of the officers remarked that the Spaniards would not only have to deal with the Americans, but also with the rebels, who were mustered in great strength just outside Manila, their numbers being estimated in some quarters at 25,000 strong.
AN ABSURD RUMOUR.
Chinese were killed. The business part of the towu was shelled by two of the Spanish meu-of- war, including the Don Juan de Austria, and great havoc was wrought, the only portions left standing being the foreign consulates, and the foreign godowns, including Smith, Bell, and Co's and McLeod's. After the bombardment the plan was pillaged by the Spanish soldiery, as well as by the rebels, the natives being literally massacred.. During the stay of the Gulf of Martohan at. C'ehn, peace having been restored, it was a common, almost a daily sight, to see gangs of rebels, real or supposed, Among the passengers who arrived in Heng being led into the fort and then after a sum- kong yesterday by the French mail steatear trial being led out again to be shot. Sydney was Mr. F. L. Doerr, whom the war has forced to leave the Philippines. Hating been in the archipelago close on eight year. during which time he did a considerable acut of prospecting, Mr. Doerr is well acquainted with a good deal of the country, and in addition has a thorough knowledge of the two native dialects. The Hugh McCulloch is expected to arrive in Hongkong to-day or to-morrow. and it is probable that Mr. Doerr will ac- company her back to Manila with the view to his acting as gnide and interpreter to the American forces. a position in which he would be able to render valuable service to his country. For some two or three years Mr. Doerr acted as manager of a coal mine some distance from Cebu. He has some property in the latter place, but he has had to clear out and leave his property to look after itself. The mine of which Mr. Doerr was manager turned out close on 100 tons of coal a day, and knowing that he was an American the anthorities began to fear that he would make use of his position to ad- vantage his countrymen in the way of supply. THE SPANISH ADMIRAL CHARGED ing the American fleet with coal. The Spanish commandant in charge of the district in conse- quence ordered him to stop work, subsequently telling him he had better clear out of the country, as he would not hold himself responsible for his safety. He left Cebujin the Gulf of Martaban, which arrived at Singapore on May 14th, transferring to the Sydney for Hongkong. The inhabitants of Cebu, says Mr. Doerr, are feeling the stoppage of the food supply Before he left flour was $10 a sack whilst potatoes could not be bought at any price.
His account of the treatment of the inhabi-, tants of Cebu by the Spaniards is anything but creditable to the latter. He contends that it is entirely the fault of theS paniards that the Cebuans revolted. During the recent insurrec. tion quite a number of the Cebuans went to the assistance of the Spaniards, who promised that if they would take up arms against the insurrectionists they should be paid regularly, their families should be looked after in their absence, and that they should be exempt from tribute. After being absent about seven months, during which time they received r pay, they returned to their homes to find their families starving, and they were called upon for tribute as heretofore. Hence the rebellion.
The bombardment of Cebu by the Spaniards seems to have been most uncalled for. Before the bombardment a notice was issued to for- eigners telling them to seek a place of safety,
Au absurd rumour was enrrent in the city on Saturday to the effect that Admiral Dewey had been a sassinated The flag at the Ameri- can Consulate was hoisted, half-mast in conse quence of the death of Mr. Gladstone, and this may bave given rise to the rumour.
ENTHUSIASTIC RECEPTION OF
AGUINALDO.
THE CAPTAIN OF THE
TO BE SHOT.
CALLAO
WITH COWARDICE.
THE PRICE OF FOOD IN MANILA.
26th May.
The Japanese cruiser Akitsushima arrived in Victoria Harbour on Tuesday morning with the mails from lauila.
|
General Aguinaldo, who left Hongkong in the MacCulloch last week, was most cordially received by Admiral Dewey, who was most favourably impressed with him and believes he will be able to do some good • k. The natives displayed great enthusias On his arrival. Cousul Williams was de'egated to take charge of him and receive his report in regard to the organisation and the line of forces. The Ad- miral turned over to him a couple of mounted field pieces and 500 rifles with 200,000 rounds of ammunition.
|
423
The Spaniards hare placed another barricade River Pasig, It is about 500 yards further up of sunken schooners and steamers across the than the first one.
Provisions are reported to be very scarce at and a half per pound and potatoes at 30 cents Manila, beef and horse flesh selling at a dollar
per pound.
daily in Manila.
Fires, the work of incendiaries, are occurring
The Spanish authorities at Manila are likely. to have some trouble with the volunteers there. On the latter demanding their pay they were refused, and in consequence they threatened to take possession of the stores.
in consequence of the treatment to which the Great indignation is felt by the Americans captain of the Callao is being subjected. Our readers will remember that as he had beencruising about the southeru islands for some 16 months he was not aware that war had been declared when he sailed into Manila Bay the other week Had he returned the fire of course he and his until he was fired upon by the American fleet.
crew and his vessel would have been blown to
pieces in no time, so he surrendered his vessel
and he and his men were allowed to land on parole. The Spanish anthorities, however, con- sider that whatever the consequences he should have returued the American fire, and they have doing so. gone so far as to sentence him to be shot for not
The Spanish Admiral is also to be conrt martialled, being charged with cowardice harbour, when he kept skipping about from on the occasion of the engagement in Cavite vessel to vessel.
Hle Vid not let even his own fleet know where his own mines were, and they had to be exploded in order that his own vessels might not be injured by them.
A most cordial feeling exists between the and the Americans, the latter doing everything masters of the British sailing vessels in Manila they can to make the stay of the former pleasant. Admiral Dewey has purchased somé 3,000 tons of coal from them, so that he has now an ample supply.
The
papers in Manila are publishing daily all kinds of natiue statements regarding the American fleet. For instauce it is asserted that the Baltimore was so injured in the naval action that she had been scuttled.
THANKING ADMIRAL DEWEY. to Admiral Dewey's promotion posted on the The following is a copy of the order relating ressels of the American squadron at Manila :--- Squadron General Order, No. 8, U. S. Flagship Asiatic Station.
Olympia, Carite, P. I., 19th May, 1898.
The following telegram from the Secretary of the Navy is published to the squadron by his direction :-
Washington, 12th May, 1898.
Dewey, Hongkong.
· Following is quotation from joint resolutions George Dewey, U.S.N., and to officers and toudering thanks of Congress to Commodore men of squadron under his command:
**
Resolved by Senate and House of Represen. tatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled.
the President, the thanks of Congress and of That in pursuance of the recommendation of
the American people are hereby tendered to Commander-in-Chief of the United States Naval Commodoro George Dewey, United States Navy,
guished coudnet in conflict with the enemy as Force on the Asiatic Station, for highly distin- displayed by him in the destruction of the Manila, Philippine Islands, May first, eighteen Spanish fleet and batteries in the harbor of
hundred and ninety-eight.
"I hat the thuks of Congress and the American people are hereby extended through Commodore Dewey to the officers and men under his com- mand for the gallantry and skill exhibited by them on that cecasion.
1+
This act having been approved by the Presi- dent of the United States on May tenth, you have been commissioned Rear Admiral. The Department takes great pleasure in transmit- ting this information to you, which you will convey to officers and men under your command,
The Americans bare now got well settled down at Cavite. They appear to have made a most favourable impression on the residents, for the Cortes and other principal families who own large houses haraluced them freely at the disposal of the fleet. The Admiral has granted the request of a number of British and German merchants to be allowed to remove from Manila to Cavite, and has instructed-Long. Consul Williams to see that some of the best houses in the city are placed at their disposal. Every effort is being made to improve the sanitation of the place.
GEORGE DEWEY, Rear Admiral U. 8. Navy Commanding U. S. Naval Force on Asiatic Station.