The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-09-20
AGUINALDo.
PHILIPPINE SITUATION.

The MsanIny oFths Dispatch OF the Oregon
aud Iowa and land Reiuforcsnents.
EyltleutIy GrrnlauY Is to he Watched.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 1s,-The officials
a. the state and war departments well
comed the notice sent to the American
people through the Associated Press
Of the ialslty Of the stories describing
the friction between the Flllpanos and
American forces in Luson. While the
officials did not care to discuss the
matter for publication. It was evident
the main source OF their satisfaction
was the Internal evidence contained in
the document that AguInaldo had prof
lied by the warnings of the American
commanders, und had gracefully receded
from the arrogant attitude assumed by
him Just before General Merritt left
Manila for Paris.
While there is little in the official
records that tends to contradict what
the nsurgent chief says, it must be re-
called that both General Otis and Ad-
mIral Dewey, In cable messages to
Washington, have pointed out threaten
Ing complications arising from the atti-
tude of the insurgents. The last ad-
vices received at the war department
from Manila came from General Otis
Friday last, and while the officer refer
rcd to the agitation exhibited BY the
Insurgents. he took care to state that he
had enough troops, in his opinion, to
meet any emergency.
What tt Means.
With this statement from the COM
handing general. on the scene OF activ-
I,y. fresh in mind, the war departments
explanation for the dispatch of fresh
relntorcements for the American army
at Manila, namely. that II Is but part
Of a movement originally planned. ap-
pears to warrant further inquiry. The
navy department Is rushing prepara-
tlons for the start OF the big battleshlps
Oregon and Iowa To Honolulu, and or
ders have been sent 10 the New York
navy yard to have the mechanics work
overtime on these ships, The purpose
Is to have them start on their long voy-
age BY the end OF the present month,
and, according to the department caicu-
latlons. they should arrive at their des-
tInatIon by the end OF January. There
Is little effort now made to conceal the
fact that the department will have the
ships met at Honolulu by a dispatch
boat, with orders to turn their prows
westward to Manila.
significant Move,
Battieships Of this character are not
needed to keep the Filipino insurgents
IN order. and their assembling in Ma
nsIla. In conjunction with the dispatch
OF heavy endorsements OF troops for
the American land forces cannot but
be regarded as EIgnIhcant. In well In
formed circles here it Is said that the
real purpose OF the President in making
these preparations is TO insure the peace
commissioners aEains, any interference
In their work OF disposing of the future
Of The Philippine Islands, according to
ihcIr bes, Judgment. Not having dis
closed his plans respecting the Islands
outside OF Luzon. the capital Of the
group, the President sull reserves for
the American peace commissioners the
right to dispose OF the remainder OF the
Islands as they may deem best.
a long line OF curious Incidents, to
which one of The great European powers
has been party, has beyond question
done much to cause a feeling OF uneas.
'ness On the part OF the administration,
as tending 10 chow a purpose to inter-
'ere with our FREQ action in the Phil
ippines, and this has been only slightly
Diminished by apparently frank dis
clasmeFs OK sB Interior purpose. because
The incidents continue quIc,ly, ana in
manner calculated to avoid attracting
attention.
AIHsi IFRn grrHHuy
such for instance. rs the gathering
o' naval vesscls to the south Of the
Philippine group. The only explanation
u which, coming from native sources,