July 16, 1898.1
careful reconnaisance above Manila. Yesterday a detachment of army officers made a long detour around the Spanish lines and sized up the situation. Nearly 800 men from 1st Cali fornia regiment were sent out on Friday by the General to try the roads out of Cavite. They found them bad but say that they can march over them all right if they will be allowed as a reward to get at the Spaniards.
General Andersen is a strict disciplinarian and has his forces well in hand. Drilling goes on every day, including target practice. Both the California and Oregon regiments are a fine, vigorous, brave lot of men. It does one good to look at them. They mean business and would go into battle to-morrow if they had the op- portunity. The regulars of the 14th Infanty, however, are better drilled and more seasoned. They do everything with the same clock like precision that characterizes the experienced British soldier. Most of them are veterans of the Indian campaigns in America and do not know what fear is. When they are told how the Spaniards have surrendered at Old Cavite and other points they cannot understand how the soldiers could be guilty of snch lamb-like submission. There is little or no sickness among the troops on shore and none at all among the seamen in the squadron.
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CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
eral Aguinaldo are in communication and no friction whatever exists, as the Spaniards claim in Manila.
In closing I would add that every sailor and soldier 1 meet asks me if the Spanish fleet is coming and when I express doubt a look of disappointment comes over his face. The
American army corps and naval force want the Spaniards to come!
The general feeling here is that in the matter of Aguinaldo's coming to Cavite as much credit is due to Consul-General Wildman as to Consul-General Pratt. While no one doubts that the latter rendered valuable service, his endeavours do not minimize those of the former. It is further reported here that Mr. Wildman could have been the object of special grateful demonstrations on the part of the Philippinos bad he desired, but that he declined the proffer: ed opportunity of being formally and publicy thanked.
Auy stories abont misunderstandings between Aguinaldo and Admiral Dewey and General Andersen can be denied as being not only untrue but ridiculous.
THE WAR FEELING IN SAN FRANCISCO.
[FROM OUR SAN FRANCISCO CORRES-
PONDENT]
Rumours fly thick and fast about a possible coalition of European powers. It is pleasant to note the universal change of opinion regard. ing England. I say universal because, a few papers catering to the Irish element excepted, every influential journal seems grateful for the moral support received from Great Britain and the British. It is remarkable how the dis agreeable sentiment prevailing against the United Kingdom has changed. The time may not yet be ripe for an offensive-defensive alli- ance between the Republic and the mother country, but let any Continental nation or a coalition of Continental nations dare interfere with the administration's aims and public opinion will look toward England to back it in its defiance. Even now there is a strong feeling that the United Kingdom together with the United States could enforce their joint decrees, regardless of the aims and purposes of any
other nation.
While President McKinley has given plenty of evidence that he would have avoided the war had there been any possibility of doing so, there is no longer any doubt that this administration has resolved upon and inaugurated a policy directly at variance with the traditional Monroe doctrine. There is now talk, and serious talk too, of a billion dollar navy, and there are few members of Congress, Democratic or Re- publican, who would dare vote in the negative and have due regard to the patriotic ebullition of their constituencies. The non-sensational
The reason that Manila is not taken is the best in the world. The place is absolutely at the mercy of Admiral Dewey. He could compel its surrender to-morrow if he wished, but the simple fact is that the Admiral will take Manila when he "gets good and ready and not until then. That date may be to- morrow and it may not be for another week. Admiral Dewey does not tell the world his plans, but when he does anything, he does it effectively. Manila will fall in short order ago 4,200 of its temporary denizens departed this the Hawaiian Islands will have become an
know it.
when Dewey gives the word, and the Spaniards Consuls and other responsible parties that come out of the city freely admit that the Spaniards cannot make successful resistance. Then again they cannot help respecting the American Admiral and much prefer to sur- render to him than be taken by the insurgents. Spanish respect for the Americans has gradually increased since the battle of May 1 until now they are almost ready to pray for protection against the rebels.
are
San Francisco, 17th June. We are having the war fever in the United States, although it is not everywhere as per- ceptible us here in the City of the Golden Gate. Thousands of volunteers come from almost every section of the Republic, and the white tented city near the Park is well tenanted. Two days They were marshaled on board the transports China, Zealandia, Colon, and Senator under command of Brigadier General Greene, and at 1.15 p.m. of the 15th the little squadron sailed. The second expedition to the Philippines well under way, arrangements are in progress to prepare the third. How many men will be dispatched altogether is hard to tell; but it is certain that any number of men will be forth- coming as they are required. There is serious talk at Washington of a third call for 50,000
men.
To the outsider, that is to the man who is not a citizen of the United States, the present phase of its history is exceedingly interesting. Many of us held the opinion that, owing to the cosmopolitan character of the people, patriotism, or what we understand by that term, would be an unknown quantity here. Well, we were mistaken, badly mistaken. I have taken pains to sound the opinion of many naturalized citizens. Those of German, Dutch, English, or Scandinavian birth are heartily with the country of their adoption. Citizens of French or Belgian origin show very little enthusiasm in fact I doubt if their sympathies are not more with Spain; but they are naturally guarded in
papers, those most closely in touch with public opinion, even such as opposed a war policy to the last moment, now advocate what they are pleased to designate as "an Imperial policy." Many favour annexation of the Antilles as well as of the Philippines. By the time you receive integral part of the Republic, notwithstanding the bitter opposition of the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Mr. Tom Reed was conveniently sick when the final vote on an- nexation was taken (June 15).
From the size of the army of occupation and the civil officers accompanying it, it is easy to con clude that the Philippines will be annexed. What- ever feelings of regret from patriotic motives such decision may arouse, for the world at-large it will, I fancy, be a good thing. It is true that for some years to come, the United States will be wedded to a protection policy; but the ex- pense connected with outlying colonies, the necessity of a larger army and navy, and the subsequent increase of public expenses, will very soon expose the fallacy of the protection system. The American (all who know him agree to it) is nothing if not practical; and once convinced of
the error of his method, he will discard it with- out the slightest compunction.
Admiral Dewey is stiffening the blockade and has notified the foreign men-of-war and Consuls accordingly. Ships that have come and gone by his permission have taken ad. vantage of the kindness and overstepped their privileges. As a result strict orders now issued against all vessels coming into port and proceeding to Manila without On Thurs- full approval of the Admiral. day the Esmeralda came in without previous The Callao was arrangement and consent. sent out to hail her. Capt. Jappan's orders were that the Esmeralda should be sent back to Bea. Capt. Tayler tried to persuade Jappan that he meant no wrong but his arguments had the expression of their opinion. It would, be due to the distance from these shores. The So she turned around and left extremely unhealthy for any one to express Americans, large as is their country and frealy
no effect. Manila Bay without going to Manila at all.
The Belgian steamer Culga has arrived
with frozen mutton and fresh supplies from Australia for the fleet. Everybody is living high these days. The Woutan is still here unloading stores for Cavite. The K-vonghoi is not yet able to obtain coal for her return Hongkong.
The rumours of the coming of more British men-of-war are heard with unfeigned pleasure
by both the army and navy. When a few British officers went ashore at Cavite the other day. cheering by the soldiers was only restrained by order of officers.
An Austrian corvette, the Aurora, arrived on Wednesday. She is not a very powerful look. ing man-of-war but gives Austria a representa- tive here. On Thursday she came down from the foreign fleet and saluted the Admiral's flag. At the present writing there are up opposite Manila three Britishers, three Germans, two
Frenchmen, one Japanese, and one Austrian. -There may be other Germans at Marivales.
sympathy with or advocate the cause of Spain in a public manner. There would be certainly an avenger near, and the Courts would not entertain an assault and battery case against one who resented an insult to his country.
One effect of the United States entering as A
ing of a halt in the land grabbing business. factor in Far Eastern politics will be the call. The apathy with which the acts of Russia, France, and Germany, were considered here was
any
as many travel in it, are as a nation more pro- vincial than cosmopolitan in sentiment. To the great majority a German, Scandinavian, or Europe, is a Dutchman, just as every Jew must native of the northern part of Continental of necessity be a German Jew to him. His horizon is confined to "The States." Beyond that the world to him is immaterial. So long as they leave him undisturbed in the States, he they please beyond his sphere. But within that is perfectly willing that other powers act as
The fact that the Government interfered. in
Most remarkable is the frenzied enthusiasm of the school children, regardless of the nation- ality of the parents. I have interviewed Young America of every possible parentage and have found it warlike in the exte. Cosmopolitan as this city is, it boasts of a French and an Italian quarter; the Germans and other nation alities are scattered, but the sons of France and those of Italy hang pretty closely together. Young America there is as enthusiastic for the Stars and Stripes as the small descendant of the Pilgrims. In my opinion this proves that the Anglo-Saxon stock can absorb or amaiga sence of anything nearer home, Cnb on the ab....
mate with the Cancasian kindred.
sphere he brooks no interference. Cuba, does not gainsay this statement. Some of the metropolitan papers cater to the morbid propensities of the masses and will do anything to procure sensational items, illustrated by highly coloured so-called pictures.
Another fact which well deserves notice is the belligerent ardour of the Jews. Right here in San Francisco sons of wealthy Jewish families have enlisted as privates with the consent of their parents, and are now on the Their cordon way to the Philippines. In Chicago a company dolence, and whatever national vices have des-
The insurgents are keeping up their persis- tent nagging of the Spaniards and getting in close to Manila all the time.
about the city now is nearly continuous. Fight ing goes on every night, but few are killed
There is no The general situation is easy.
of 200 young Jews, sons of men prominent in business, was formed, and will make a part of the expeditionary force. Altogether, a patriotic
was a god- send to them. It was a matter of dollars and cents to these papers and as the country press agencies with that of the metropolis, the misrule is intimately connected through the news of Cuba assumed national proportions. Spanish arrogance, cruelty, ultramontanism, vanity, in- cended from the Middle Ages, can have no de- fender among a progressive nation, and, so far as colonial territory is concerned, Spain's doom
great excitement. General Andersen and Gen. vitality has developed which the world may well | is sealed. But this will force the United States
notice and heed.