The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1898-10-21
NOT CREDITED.
Spanish Report That Dewey Had
Fought with Insurgents.


Washington, Oct. 20. - The sensa-
tionai Spanish report of naval bat
tie between Admiral Dewey's vessels
and the insurgent navy in the Philip
pines is received with absolute in
credulity in both the navy and war de-
partments. If there has been any re-
cent action Admiral Dewey has failed
to mention it, and neither Gen. Otis
nor United States Consul Wildman
have regarded it as worthy of notice.
1t is believed at the navy department
that the Spanish authorities refer to
the seizure of the little steamer Abby
by ,he McCulloch on September 90
last This steamer was of American
register, though formerly known as
the Pasig. II was reported to Admiral
Dewey that she was bringing arms and
supplies of war to the insurgents. He
sent the McCulloch to stop this move
ment, but when the cutter found the
Abby in Bahamas bay the latter YES
sci had landed her cargo of arms, and
the Insurgents refused to give them
up. Thereupon the Abby was seized
and taken by the McCulloch to Manila.
This affair could not be dignifed with
the name of a naval engagement, and
Admiral Dewey in reporting the seiz-
ure to the navy department made lit
tie os it.
1t is just possible that there have
been some similar incidents not
deemed worthy of report in the is
lands of Cebu or Panay, as it has been
reported that some insurgent vessels
have been carrying arms to spread the
insurrectioa in those islands, and
Dewey would have repressed them.
1t liz Absurd.
But the reports to the navy depart
ment show that it is absurd to speak
OF an insurgent navy seriously, for the
entire force consists of few schoon-
ers and one or two little coasting
steamers, all put together not being
a match for the least of the vessels
under Dewey's command. The ex-
planation of the admiral's interference
with these vessels in their operations
is desire on his part to maintain the
statu quo in the Philippines pending
the conclusion of the peace commits
sion's work in Paris. 1t is said here
that it is not surprising that the Span
ish cabinet is trying 70 make much of
this incident that can be twisted into
demonstration of actual hostilities
between the American forces in the
philippines and the insurgents, for
that would make ground to sustain the
contention they are sure to put for
ward when the Philippines come under
consideration before the Paris com
mission, that the United States forces
never have been able 10 take posses.
sion of and hold this territory outside
| of Manila proper. Under the rules oil
international laws, such point would
be entitled to serious considerable in
determining what disposition should
be made of territory.
Not Ready to Yield.
Paris, Oct. 20.-The Spanish peace
commissioners have not yet received
from Madrid either instruction or per
i mission to bid adieu 10 Cuban soyer
i eighty without further seeking to at
tach to this sovereignty some condi
/ tions providing for the assumption a
the Cuban debt by the United States
1T they are as at present disposed ant
/ instructed, the Spaniards will not, a
Fridays meeting, recognize aflirma
lively the United States position, ant
will stop on he point of results. Should
they fatty reject American insistence
the Spaniards, While recognizing th,
physical power of the United State
against unaided Spain, will quietly ex