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General Merritt left San Francisco June 29 reached Honolulu July 7, left there the follow- ing day, and passed Corregidor about 9 a.m July 25, making 23 steaming days. The other five ships being slower were left behind shortly after departure from Honolulu. Merritt did not know when he sailed from America that Camera's squadron had turned back and hence he pushed on with the purpose of surely getting here ahead of the Spaniards. His staff is made up of a picked lot of men and impress one most favourably, With him have come also about 25 civilians from the war and navy de- partments at Washington to act as clerks and general assistants in the civil work that will follow the occupation of Manila. They likewise are picked for their labours and not favoured politiciaus. General Merritt
ideal man an
for his position. Not only is be 8 fall Major-General in the regular army and ranking next to General Miles, with an excellent record in the Civil War and as an Indian fighter, but he is a fine specimen of physical manhood, standing fully Bix feet and weighing over 14 stone (about 200 pounds). He looks to be both soldier and diplomat. With him and Dewey to direct affairs America's interests in the Philippines will be well guarded, I am sure.
is
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
Manila Bay, 29th July. The Zafiro is scheduled to leave this afternoon. It is a long time since she visited Hongkong and we are more accustomed to sending mails by Bri- tish than by American vessels. The Plover which left a few days ago carried the most important news of recent date-the arrival of General Merritt on the Newport. At this writing the second part of the third expedition has not af rived but it is expected to-night or to-morrow morning. The Monterey will also be with ns almost as soon and certainly before another week passes. General Merritt still keeps his head quarters on the Newport because it is much easier of access for both camps than if he went to either and there remained. As the Newport. lies she is a little nearer Cavite than Camp Dewey below Malate, but a steam launch can reach the latter in 30 minutes from the American fleet. Boats are passing back and forth between Camp Dewey and Cavite at all hours and Bakor by presents a very lively scene. The Spaniards can see with their own eyes that the Americans aro not sleeping.
General Merritt has lost no time in sizing up the situation. He has already been on shore at Camp Dewey and made a personal reconnais ance with General Greene, even visiting the trenches of the insurgents and coming within reach of Spanish fire. The second day after the arrival of the General he sent out a corps of his best engineers to make a map of all the country surrounding Manila. There are still out and will remain until Sunday or Monday mak ing a most careful survey. This morning General Merritt went to Cavite and made a personal inspection of it from one end to the other. The more one sees of him the more is he convinced that he is the right man for the place.
The chief point of discussion at the present moment, aside from the movements of the Am erican forces, is the report that Mr. Legarda, one of the principal secretaries of Aguinaldo, has either deserted his leader or been captured by the Spaniards. The news is not fully con firmed and the insurgents themselves are very mysterious when asked any questions about Legarda. He certainly has disappeared from headquarters at Bakor and has not returned after a reasonable period of time. The first story circulated was that he went into Manila to treat with the Spaniards in regard to their possible surrender or to be there to stir up the natives to action when the insurgents should make a con- certed attack on the city. The same story says that ho returned from his mission to report to Aguinaldo and then went away on another mis- sion. Another rumour is that he quarrelled with Aguinaldo and left him, either going into Manila or off into the country. Wherever he is the Philippinos are much worried about him, although they strive to maintain au attitude of indifference. In my opinion Legarda is alto gether too bright a man to think for a minute of joining the Spaniards and I do not myself believe the reports. It is more probable that he has been sent on important work which requires some time and that persons not understanding the situation here started the stories,
[August 6, 1898.
ATION AT PEKING.
M. PAVLOFF'S CONDUCT
RESENTED:
[SPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE "DAILY PRESS."].
SHANGHAI, 29th July.
The insurgents are doing no special fighting | ATTEMPTED RUSSIAN DOMIN- now around Manila and the Spaniards seem to be keeping quiet also. There has been little firing for the past four or five days. This does not mean that there is any relaxation in the work of harrassing the Spaniards by land and Bea, for the lines are being drawn closer and closer, but actual use of shot and shell are tem- porarily stopped. From Manila we hear a variety of stories, but pay little attention to them,
A telegram received from Peking states that whether apparently true or false. There is no the Chinese are bitterly commenting on the doubt that the Spaniards are greatly discouraged recent behaviour of M. Pavloff at the Tsungli by the return of Camera's fleet from Suez and
Yamen. On one occasion he threatened to leave the failure of Spain to send reinforcements, but Peking unless his demands, made to frighten in the presence of foreigners whom they think
the Ministers, were acquiesced in. On another may be impressed they indulge in much brag-occasion he told the Yamen the Czar's wishes gadocio about how they will repel the American troops and sink the American ships. The num ber of sick among Spanish soldiers is knowledged to be very large, if the reports of foreign Consuls can be believed. This leads me to comment on the very remark- able condition of the American troops. Their health is the surprise of everybody. It is better than the most hopeful had expected. The large hospital force that accompanied the expeditions finds time hanging heavy on its hands. Out of 6,000 soldiers now here, 5,000 of whom are actually in the field, the total number reported sick and indisposed to-day is only 150 and this includes men who are simply excused from the day's routine and not quite up If there was a call to arms to the normal.
ac.
must be obeyed. The Chinese complain that M. Parloff treats Chinaļas a subject province.
THE KWANGSĮ REBELLION.
From Wuchow we hear that on the 23rd and 24th July, at Watlam the Imperial troops made an assault upon the rebels and killed over a thousand of them, the rest flying to the Ping- tin Mountains. The repels comprise three dif ferent tribes, and dissensions having broken out amongst them the Imperial troops seized the opportunity to make an attack upon them.
The following proclamation was issued by the Prefect of Wuchow on the 25th July
C+
*
Whereas the district of Pakink, in the pre- fecture of Watlam, and Yung-hsien were over- run with rebels, I, the Prefect, bare wired re- 100peatedly to the Viceroy and the Governors of the two Kwang to send soldiers to suppress the rising in different directions, and to instruct the Magistrates of the different districts to get ready village-volunteers for any emergency
where every man was viewed not over 1001 would fail to appear at the posts of duty.
viewed com- may be quite a large number paratively with home conditions, but when it is remembered that these men have all come from a northern climate into the heart of the tropics it is indeed surprising that the list is not larger. The physicians in charge say that the general physical condition of the rank and file is not only excellent but improving as the men become accustomed to the heat, food, and water. This morning a man named Johnson, Co. D. 2nd Oregon Regiment, from Pendleton, Oreg on U.S.A., was buried with military honours. He died of dysentery. Yesterday a member of the California regiment was buried who died from the effects of a fall experienced on the steamer crossing the Pacific. The total number of deaths since the first expedition started in the latter part of May does not yet exceed ten, un other remarkable record cousidering all condi- tions. During a squall which made the bay rough a few days ago one of the ordinary sea- men of the Olympia, also named Johnson, was drowned. He was standing on the rail of a steam launch and, as it gave a sudden pitch, he lost his hold and fell overboard. Although supposed to be a good swimmer, he was never seen again. The launch and small boats kept cruising about for an hour over the spot but conld find no trace of him. Admiral Doway says that the health of the crews of his ships has never been better than now since they came out to the Asiatic station. They are all in fighting trim.
With regard to the petition presented by the gentry and the merchants asking to be allowed to enlist local lukongs in all the cities and villages for the preservation of the peace against local treacherous people and outside rebels, the wages of the lukongs to be defrayed from a fund raised by the levying of one month's house rent on all the shops inside and outside the city, the landlord and the shopkeeper each paying one half of the sum so levied, and stating that the gentry and merchants themselves would raise a subscription to provide arms and ammunition, I, the Prefect, therefore issue this procation to let the people know of this commendable and loyal action on the part of the gentry and merchants in the engagement of local lukongs which will be not only useful for coping with the rebels, but will also be a great protection to property and shops.
"All the shops should be prepared to hand to the committee one month's house rent, paid by the landlord and the shopkeeper conjointly, as wages for the lukongs. As to arms and ammunition, the gentry and merchants as well as the com- mon people should try to subscribe a good sum, which is to be handed to me, and I will write to the British Consul and the Commissioner of Customs requesting them to buy munitions of war on our behalf. All the other regulations have been written ont by the gentry for my consideration. You people should come forward cheerfully, with subscriptions, so as to bring the movement to perfection. We will thereby enjoy happiness and peace, which is my utmost desire.
Obey this notification
12
Dated the 7th day of the 6th moon."
The City of Peking sails for San Francisco ou Sunday, July 31st, and the China and Colon will soon follow her. The Senator and Zealandia will be ready a few days later. The second and larger portion of the third expedition consists of the Indiana, Ohio, City of Pára, Morgan City, and Valencia, carrying in all about 4,500 men, who with the 500 on the Newport make a total of 5,000. Bigadier-General McArthur and staff come on the Indiana. The chief or principal | THE CHINESE WIFE MURDEREX, detachments represented on these ships are bat. talions of the 23rd and 18th Regiments, regulars, several companies of engineers, signal corps, re- giment North Dakota Volunteers, part of first Wyoming regiment volunteers, thirteenth Minnesota Regiment volunteers, first regiment Idaho volunteers, batteries of the 3rd Artillery, and hospital corps.
The French man-of-war Pascal arrived re cently and failing to salate was reminded there. of by the Admiral, whereupon she steamed over to the vicinity of the Olympia and performed the function.
The German steamer Trinidad was to leave Singapore on the 23rd July for Manila, whence, after transferring her cargo of coal to the ships of the German squadron, she is to proceed to Kiaochau to be used, the Free Press says, as a hulk,
EXECUTION.
In Victoria Goal on Wednesday morning Wau Hung, the Chinaman who murdered his wife by cutting her throat last September, was executed.
Commander Hastings subsequently held an inquest on the body, the jury being composed of Messrs. J. M. B. Botelho, L. C. do Rozario, and C. T. Robinson.
R. H. Craig, chief warder in the gaol, said- The body the jury have just viewed is that of Wan Hung, who was admitted into the gaol under sentence of death passed upon him in the Supreme Court on the 15th July. I produce the Governor's order for the execution, which was duly carried out at 5.50) a.m. in the presence of the Superintendent of the Gaol, Dr. Thom-
and myself.
son,
Dr. Thomson, medical officer in charge of the gaol, said-I was present this morning at