August 6, 1898.1
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
fleet that Manila Bay has crer seen is now col- lected here, it will be lessened-until the third expedition arrives-by the departure of trans- ports. The Sydney left Thursday morning, July 21st, and the Australia Baturday morning, July 23rd. The City of Peking is about ready to sail and will be closely followed by the Senator, Colon, Zealandia, and China. The Sydney and Australia will reach San Francisco ahead of the Belgic.
The first California regiment under Colonel Smith has the right of the line; then comes the first Colorado under Colonel Hale; after it the regiments of Regulars, the 18th and 23rd under- Colonels Bailey and French; just below is the first Nebraska under Colonel Bratt; and last is the tenth Pennsylvania under Colonel Hawkins. The entire force at Camp Dewey is under Command of Brigadier-General Greene, who makes his headquarters in a comfort- able and convenient house near the beach The Germans are causing less trouble. They vacated by some foreigner or prominent native may have plans for the future which will cause since the war began. General Greene impresses even more annoyance than their remarkable one most favourably. He has a clear cut expres- course in the past, but at the moment they are sion and a bright eye that betokens great intelli-keeping comparatively quiet. Some one has gence combined with quick decision and good suggested that their coal supply has run short, judgment. Up to the time of his promotion he but my opinion is that the German Admiral was Colonel of the crecki71st Regiment of New has made up his mind, prompted by advices from York, which was in the first division sent to Berliu, that when matters had come to the Cubu.
point that Admiral Dewey had to indicate his displeasure in no uncertain terms and hen public sentiment in America was rapidly warming up to the degree of demanding an explanation from the Kaiser, it was time for him to adopt different tactics and allay suspicion and comment by behaving himself, He is a most excellect gentleman and personally a man of admirable qualities. Dewey and be are both such gentlemen and hence so polite that when they meet there is not the leist sign of friction. Dewey likes good things to eat and knows that his friend the German Admiral does, so the other day when the frozen meat ship came in consigued specially and only to the American fleet, be sent a fine carcass of mutton to ron Diedrich along with some
The camp reaches along the clear firm ground between the Manila road and the beach. It is only separated from the latter by a fringe of bamboos. The soil is sandy, porous, and covered with grass. It is well suited for the purpose and the soldiers like it better than the barracks at Cavite. They have realized like the natives the many uses to which bamboo can be put, and make flagstaffs, tent poles, table legs, beds, and many other necessary appliances out of it. Yan- kes ingenuity has even taught the Philippiuos uses of the bamboo of which they never ap- parently dreamed before but which they will not Roon forget. judging from their aptitude, already evinced, to imitate the Americans,
I understand also that Captain Chichester was not forgotten when the good things were being passed around.
Every provision is made against sudden attack or surprise. Outposts are deployed in all direc-other delicacies that arrived by the same ship. tions and no one is allowed to pass the lines without a pass or special order. The troops have already shown how quickly they can get into action or be prepared for attack if necessary. A few nights ago a messenger from the out- ports came running into Colonel Hale's head quarters and stated that the Spaniards had made an attack on the insurgent line, broken through it, and were pressing on towards the American Camp. Although the report was
found later to be based on unreliable informa- tion and due to a squad of insurgents running away who happened to get into the direct line of Spanish fire, both the Colorado and Cali- fornia regiments, numbering 2,000 men, were under arms in company formation, and deployed about the camp with an advance line, marching along the road in less than six miuntes after the alarm was given. If fighting did not follow, the experience and drill were valuable. They certainly are hustlers.
Lieutenant Clarke, Lieutenant Bryan, both of General Andersen's staff, and Private Green of the Oregon Regiment have made a successful sconting trip all around Manila. They started at Pasay and ended at Malabou, gathering per- fect information as to the location of all the Spanish batteries. Several times they were under fire and even went through the Spanish lines, passing more than once between the city and the outlying (trenches. Another scouting expedition has also circumvented the city from bay shore to bay shore. Still others have gone a long distance into the interior, so that very accurate maps are being made by the Americans from their own operations and knowledge.
General Andersen retains his headquarters at Cavite and it is probable that General Merritt will locate himself there until Manila is entered. Nearly 1,000 men are stationed at the Navy Yard as a guard and reserve force. General Merritt may arrive any day. No definite date is set for his reaching Manila Bay, but, as he left San Francisco about June 29 and is not expected to stop at Guam he has had sufficient time. now to make the journey at the rate of 11 knots per hour steaming. It is not improbable that he will push ahead of the other transports. If so he may be coming into the bay as this letter goes out. The famous Monterey is not expected for five or ten days yet, but might surprise us by putting in her much desired appearance sooner. It is assumed that she is not making more than 6 or 7 knots an hour from Ronolulu here and that she may spend two days at Guam coaling from the Brutus so that she can come the last part of the journey without being towed. The Monadncok will travel more rapidly and possibly average eight knots or, if the weather and sea are favourable, nine. Although the largest modern
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The same agreeable relations between the British and American fleets which have existed from the first continue.
A few days ago several officers from the British ships came down to the Americau camp and were showu all over it by officers from the Boston--which is guard vessel of the beach near the camp-and from General Greene's staff. They could easily see for themselves the exact force and condition of the American troops and report, if they wished, thereon fully to the Captain-General. Even if they did, it would probably do more good than harm to the Americans, for it might conviene the Spanish that the Army was really there and some 5,000 strong instead of 1,00 as they tell to all the natives who are kept in the city.
General Aguinaldo is apparently pursuing the even tenor of his ways. There has been a meeting and celebration at Bakor, where speeches were made and proclamations read in regard to the Philippine republic, but these steps are in line with those already taken. There was a musical affair-dinner and concert Saturday night at Cavite giren by the insurgents in honour of American victories, to which the newspaper correspondents along with the naval officers were invited. I was unable to attend, but understand that it passed off agreeably and snccessfully. The relations between Aguinaldo and Andersen are in no way strained as has been reported. One or two amusing incidents have happened where some of lesser rank and somewhat axalted officers are concerned, but that is all. In his relations with Admiral Dewey, Aguinaldo is particularly ready to do anything to please the Admiral. I have not yet seen any reason to regret the prompt action of Cousul-General Wildman in sending Aguldo here. The Consul-General's wisdom was contested by some at the time, but the remarkable success of the rebel leader has proved that Mr. Wildman was a good judge of human nature when he sized up Aguinaldo's capabilities. While I doubt the insargent chieftain's ability to take Manila unaided by our forces and believe that, were our fleet to sail away and our army in depart, the Spaniards would be able to hold out until rein. forcements could come and finally drive him into the country, I must pay a high compliment to his success in capturing all outposts and in practically isolating Manila.
There are those who predict serious troubles between the Americans and natives when the former shall have taken Manila and established a provisional government, but the more I see of them and study the situation, the more I am convinced that if General Merritt manages Aguinaldo and his followers with the diplomacy
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and good judgment which should characterize him he will be able to successfully institute conditions here that will prove acceptable to ninety per cent of the population. If there are any jealousies among the Philippinos, they are confined to a few ambitious young men. masses welcome the coming of the Americans and would be sorry to see them depart. All sorts of rumours emanating from Washington telegrams are rife in fleet and camp about the policy of the United States toward these islands, but those who are familiar with the Phillip- pines and their riches are unanimons in hoping that the United States will either hold the islands permanently or take such steps as will prevent their being returned to Spain or given to any power or government which will not allow that freedom of frade, residence, and life which America and England demand.
The Spaniards in Manila were loth to be- lieve the news of the destruction of Admiral Cervora's fleet and the return of Camera's from Suez to Spain. The first they branded as a lie fixed up by Americans and Britishers and the second they said was impossible, when the re- ports first came. Now they talk differently. Official reports have come from Spain and Go- vernor-General Augustin is again disconsolate. There is little question that not only he but the rank and file of Spanish soldiers would like to surrender. The men that prevent are the higher intermediate officers who do not have to stay out in the trenches, who enjoy themselves in the cafes, and who hope to win glory at home by this pretended patriotism and refusal to yield Admiral Dewey and General Ander- sen are well aware that there is little possibility of actually starving ont the Spaniards except by a prolonged seige and hence when General Merritt comes decisive steps will probably be taken to force the surrender of Manila. If the Spaniards submit in response to the demand they will save Manila and their own lives; if not and a combined attack by sea and land follows, they only will be responsible for loss or life and
pro- perty.
That Admiral Dewey is maintaining a stricter blockade is daily in evidence. Com- munication between Manila and Cavite is entirely cut off except by special permission of the Admiral granted at the request of some foreign Consul or man-of-war commander. The McCulloch and Concord make frequent trips up past the city to Malabon and beyond. The other day the British ship Fort Stewart arrived from Australia with coal. She tried to get пp to Manila, was stopped, and ordered over to Cavite. When the Admiral found that she was not ordered to report to him with her cargo by instructions of her owners, he immediately sent her to sea. When any of the insurgent steamers come in or go out or oven cross the bay, they report to the flagship.
The health of the American forces is ex- cellent and beyond the highest expectations of the Generals. They seem to stand the heat, rains, and other conditions like veterans, Of course there are quite a number sick but not a large list. In fact the California and Oregon regiments have not a dozen men in all incapa- citated from duty.
Manila Bay, 26th July.
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Major General Merritt, provisional Governor- General of the Philippine islands, and his staff have arrived. The fast transport Newport came to anchor near the flagship yesterday, July 25, at 11.30 a.m., after the Concord had steamed out to meet her and escort her in to the fleet, signaling ahead that General Merritt was aboard. As soon as the Newport cast anchor, Admiral Dewey accompanied by Lieut. Brumby left the Olympia and steamed in the Admiral's barge alongside the transport to call on the General. The latter immediately returned the call and luncheoned with the Admiral. Later Generals Andersen and Greene came to pay their respects to the Commander-in-chief. This morning the disembarkation of the troops aboard will commence. They include three batteries of regular artillery, one of which is the famous Astor battery made up largely of rich but hardy and well trained young New York mil lionaires. The total number of men aboard the Newport is about 600. She made the trip from San Francisco in 234 days, the record passage. The Indiana, Ohio, City of Pasa, Morgan City, and Valencia will arrive with 5,000 troops in three days more.
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