mers; and a battalion of fifty heavy artillery, Major Gary; and in
addition to these a number of sailors, naval officers, a large amount of
ammunition and naval stores for Admiral Dewey's fleet, and supplies
sufficient to last a year. It was expected that the fleet would arrive
at the Sandwich Islands by Tuesday, May 31st; it will proceed from this
port in company with the _Charleston_, and should arrive at Manila about
June 20th. A detachment of the United States Engineers was ordered from
Willets Point, N. Y., to the Philippines, under command of Captain
Langfitt; Captain Langfitt is an expert in the matter of torpedoes and
harbor defences of this kind, and it is thought that his mission at the
Philippines will be to fortify the different harbors by planting mines,
torpedoes, etc.

Now that the reinforcements are well on their way, there is no reason to
feel any anxiety in reference to any expedition which might be sent from
Spain. The shortest route from Cadiz is, of course, by way of the Suez
Canal; the distance by this route is over 8,000 miles; from San
Francisco to Manila, by way of the Sandwich Islands, is but 7,000 miles;
therefore we have at least a week the start of any expedition which
might leave Spain. The troops sent on the three transports which sailed
May 25th will be sufficient to garrison Corregidor Island; with strong
fortifications on this island at the entrance of Manila Bay, it is
believed that we can prevent the entrance of any fleet. The only fleet
which it is possible for Spain to send at this time is Admiral Camara's;
in this there are but two armorclads, the _Pelayo_ and _Emperadar Carlos
V_. Admiral Dewey would not consider them sufficiently formidable to
give him any anxiety.

Unless we meet with misfortune or great reverses in dealing with the
Spanish forces now at the Philippines, there is little doubt but that
they are ours by this time.

* * * * *

Now that the Philippine Islands are to be kept by us, the previous
regulations in reference to mails have been changed. When war was
declared the Post-Office Department shut off communication with the
Philippine Islands, as well as with other Spanish countries. A new order
has been issued, and mail may now be sent to the Philippine Islands by
way of San Francisco. In times of war this country permits soldiers to
mail letters to their homes without prepaying postage; this is a great
advantage to them, as we c