The record-union., 1898-09-20
Says the Relations of Filiplnos and
Americans Are Friendly,
Regardless of the Many Published RuTnors
to the Contrary.
Withdraw Their Forces From the
Suburbs of Manila as an Add1-
tionaI Evidence of Their Con-
fidence in the Great American
Republic.

NEW YORK, Sept. 19.-The follow
ing dispatch has been received here at
the office of the Associated Press:
Manila CP. ID, Sept 19.-The Filipino
Government desires to inform the
American Government and people that
the many rumors circulated regarding
the strained relations between the flil-
pinos and American forces are pase'
malicious ISLANDERS of the enemy 70
both parties. are without any truth,
and are circulated for the purpose Vi
prejudicing the appeal of the flllldlioS
for their release from the oppression
and cruelty of Spain.
THE relations of our people ana
yours have been and will continue 10
be of a most friendly nature, ana we
have withdrawn our forces from the
suburbs of Manila as an addluonal cF-
idence of our confidence in the great
American Republic
"AGUINALDO."
DEWEY'S FLEET TO BE REIN
FORCED.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 19.-The Off
Gals at the State and War Depart
ments welcomed the announcement TO
the American people through the AS
sociated Press of the falsity of the
stories describing the friction between
the F'ilipinos and American forces IN
LuZon.
While the officials do not care TO dis
cuss the matter for publication, it vas
evident that the main source of their
satisfaction was the internal evidence
contained in the document that Aguln-
~ lae Ys0i n q
the American commanders, and had
gracefully receded from the arrogant
attitude assumed by him just before
General Merritt left Manila for Pafls.
While there is little in the official
records that tends to contradict what
the insurgent chief says, still 1t must
be recalled that both General Merritt
and Admiral Dewey in cable messages
to Washington have pointed out threat
ening complications arising from the
attitude of the insurgents The latest
advices received at the War Denaft-
ment from Manila came from General
Otis on Friday last, and while the
officer referred to the agitation eXhlb-
tied by the insurgents, he took care TO
state that he had troops enough III ms
opinion to meet any emergency Win
this statement from the commanding
General on the scene of activity iresh
in mind, the War Departments ex-
planation of the order for fresh rein
forcements for the army in Manila,
namely, that it is but a part Of a
movement originally planned, appeared
to warrant further inquiry.
The Navy Department is rushing
preparations for the start of the big
battleships Oregon and Iowa to Hon
olulu. and orders have been sent To
the New York Navy Yard to have the
mechanics work over time on these
ships The purpose is to have them
start on their long voyage by the end
of this month. and according to de-
partment calculations they should ar
rive at their destination by the end of
January. There is little effort made
now to conceal the fact that the de-
partment Will have the ships met at
Honolulu by a dispatch boat with or
ders to turn their prows westward TO
Manila.
Battleships Of this character are not
needed to keep the Filipino insurgents
in order, and their assembling at Man
liza in conjunction with the dispatch OF
heavy reinforcements of troops for the
American land forces cannot but be
regarded as significant. In well-in-
formed circles here it is said that The
real purpose of the President in max
ing these preparations is to insure the
Peace Commissioners against any in
reference in their work of dispoSing
of the future of the Philippines, accord
ing to their best judgment. Not having
disclosed his plans respecting the ISL
ar3ds outside Luzon, the seat of the
capital of the group, the President still
reserves for the American Peace Com
&nissioners the right TO dispose OF the
remainder of the islands as they may
deem best.
4 long line of curious incidents, to
which one of the European Powers has
been party, has beyond question done
much to cause a feeling of uneasiness
on the part of the Administration as
tending to show a purpose to interfere
in our free action in the Philippines,
and this has been only slightly dimin-
ished by apparently frank disclaimers
of an ulterior purpose. because the in
cidents continue quietly and in man.
ner calculated to avoid attracting at
tention. Such. for instance, is the
gathering of naval vessels to the south
of the Philippine group. the only eX-
planation of which, coming from native
sources ii is true, but still bearlne
marks Of genuineness. is a purpose oi
acquiring either by seizure or by *ome
secret compact with the Spanish Gov
ernment the important island of Fala-
wan. This particular island forms one
side of the gateway through which
must pass all of the extensive so'n-
merce that floats between Australia
Micronesia and Southern China. The
passage is narrow. and if any of tht
islands of the Philippine group are &c
be retained outside of LuZon this Isl
and of Palawan must be kept. form
ing one side of the gateway. 1t is saith
cred that it is the purpose of the Presi-
dent. therefore. to prevent the alicna-
, ton by Spain of any of the Philippine
group, and that these preparations
naval as we'll as military. are but stops
toward the execution Of his purpose
With the addition to his fleet OF two
battleships. Admiral Dewey will have
a force second only to that of Great
Britain in Eastern waters. while or
shore General Otis will have a more