The Butler weekly times. (Butler, Mo.) 1881-1918, 1898-05-05
THE MANILA ENGAGEMENT.
M. Patenotre Sends an Account OF
the Combat to Washington Based
on Spanish Official Advices.
COMMODORE DEWEY TO Be SUPPORTED
At the Cabinet Meeting at Washington 1t
. Was Determined to Send the Troops
! Necessary to Occupy the Philippine Is
I lands, Together with Supplies. from the
| Pacific slope.

Necessary to Occupy the Philippine Is
lands, Together with Supplies, from the
Pacific slope.
WASHINGTON, May 3.-The French
ambassador, NJ. Jules Cambon, has re-
ceived dispatch from the foreign Of
fee at Paris stating that the French
ambassador at Madrid, NJ. Patenotre,
has forwarded official details of the
Spanish reverse at Manila NJ. Pate
notre's special was based on the latest
Spanish official advices. 1t states that
the Spanish cruisers Reina Maria
Christina and Castillo were totally
burned up after being set on fire by
bombs from the enemy's (American)
ships Two of the smaller Spanish
ships, the dispatch states, were
sunk in order to avoid falling into the
hands of the enemy. The other Span
ish ships were half destroyed and had
taken refuge in Bakers bay. The
British embassy has received no re-
ports of any character as to the Manila
battle, so that there is no basis for the
statements that the state department
has been informed by British officials
here that Manila has surrendered to
Commodore Dewey. In the absence of
specific advices from Manila members
OF the diplomatic corps are discussing
with great interest the future course
of the United States toward the Phil
ippines. They do not doubt that the
islands will be occupied by the Amer
lean forces, If, indeed, the occupation
has not already occurred. The only
question on this point is said to be the
number of men Commodore Dewey can |
spare from his fleet to make up land |
ing party sufficient to hold Manila and |
other points, when large garrisons |
OF Spanish troops are there 1t is |
the future of the Philippines, how
ever, which most interests the for
eign authorities here. AS to this,
leading diplomatic official said
1t was unfortunate at this Juno
ture that the assertion was made by
leading men here that the Philippines
would be taken and held at least I'M
til the war ended, when they might
be sold to Great Britain or Japan. He
pointed out that while this course
might be a wise one in due time, vet
Its announcement now only served to
awaken European powers at mo-
ment when 1t was needless and impo-
lite to excite resentments in those
quarters. There was no principle of
international law, he said, which kept
a victorious nation from enjoying its
fruit of warfare by holding territory
gained in battle.
Commodore Dewey to BE Supported. ,
WASHINGTON, May S.-The cabinet ,
meeting to-day resulted in a decision i
to await a report from Commodore I
Dewey and then to send him the num- !
Der of troops he deems necessary to $
enforce our control of the Philippines. I
Inc whole session was consumed in a G
general discussion of past events. The
has practically decided
% occupy the Philippines with n
strong military force as soon as posi-
Die after Commodore Dewey's report, I
which is expected by tomorrow,
las been received. For this pur-
rose Pacific slope troops will be used
nd it is expected that at least 5, 600
viii be en- route within the next ten Z
ays. There does not seem to be any I
oubt as to the governments purpose
o hold these islands pending a final II
ettlement with Spain, when they will q
e used as collateral to secure the o
ayment to the United States of a war o
Indemnity. High officials are of n
pinion that none of the powers will II
eriously dispute our right to make 6
nch final disposition of the is ID
lnds as suits our purpose in the CO
Increment of war claims against pl
pain, and in any event this govern IL
tent will be prepared to contest any al
oint which may be raised on this ~
,ore. As indicated In Score tarv a.
ong's request to-day for an emergen-
: appropriation the government will
IKE steps at once to supply Commo- tn
pre- Dewey's fleet with provisions and til
her supplies, including ammunition IN
Id coal, and to this end will dispatch be
the earliest possible moment suffi- fe
ent number of ships to supply amply al
possible needs of the Asiatic squad Il
N. -,