The Monticellonian., 1898-09-23
MISCHIEF IS BREWING.
The Government Doesn't Purpose Being Caught Mapping at the
 Crucial Moment.
DEWEY AND OTIS MAY BE ALL RIGHT NOW.
There are, However. Indications that If We Do Not Wish to be Oh eokmsted by Spain and Another Power in the Philippines, We Must Have A Sufficient Force to Call Any BEuff.

Washington, Sept. 2o.-The navy de the start of the big battleships Oregon and Iowa to Honolulu, and orders have been sent to the New york navy yard to have the mechanics work overtime on these ships. The purpose is to have them start on their long voyage by the end of the present month, and according to the department caicula, tions they should arrive a their desti- nation by the end of January.
 Little Effort at Conoealment.
 There is little effort made now to conceal the fact that the department will have the ships met at Honolulu by dispatch boats, with orders to turn their prows westward to Manila. Bat tleships of this character are not need ed to keep the Filipino insurgents in order, and their assembling at Manila in conjunction with the dispatch of heavy endorsements of troops can not but be regarded as significant. In well-informed circles here it is said that the real purpose of tie president in making these preparations is to in- sure the peace commissioners against any further interference iE their work of disposng of the future of the Phil ippines according to their best iudg- ment. Not having disclosed his plans respecting the islands outside of Lu- zon, the seat of the capital of thu group, the president still reserves for the American peace commissioners the right to dispose of the remainder of the islands as they may deem best.
 A Line of Curious Incidents
 A long line of curious incidents, to which one of the great European pow CTS has been party, has, beyond ques tion, done much to cause a feeling of uneasiness on the part of the admin. istration, as tending to show a pur- pose to interfere in our free action in the Philippines, and this has been only slightly diminished by apparently frank disclaimers of an ulterior pur- pose, because the incidents continue quietly and in manner calculated to avoid attracting attention. Such for instance, is the gathering of naval yes sels to the south of the Philippine group, the only explanation of which, coming from native sources, 1t is true but still bearing marks of genuine ness, is purpose of acquiring either by seizure or by some secret pact with the Spanish government the important lsland of Palawan.
 Ono Side of the Gateway.
 This particular island forms one side of the gateway through which must pass all the extensive commerce that flows between Australia, Micronesia and southern China The passage is narrow, and if the islands of the Phil ippine group are to be retained out side of Luzon, this island of Palawan must be kept, as forming one side of the gateway. It is gathered that it is the purpose of the president, therefore to prevent the alienation by Spain of any of the Philippine group, and that these preparations, naval as well as military, are but steps toward the exc cution of his purpose. With the addi- tion to his fleet of two battleships, Ad- miral Dewey will have force only sec ond to that of Great Britain in eastern waters, while on shore Gen. Otis will have more numerous army than any European power save Russia.