The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1898-05-11
We Will HOLD The PHILIPPINES.
EUROPE MAY PROTEST.
Steamers Will Leave San Francisco With
Supplies and Men for Commo-
dore Dswey's Fleet.

Now that the United States have pos
session of the Philippine Islands they
DO not propose to part with them for
the present, at least. Europe Is nl.
ready beginning TO protest against
the. seizure, claiming that 1t will dis
turb the situation in the far east.
Some form of government must GER
tainly be established by the United
States at Manila. Commodore Dewey
controls the water supply and the food
will not last more than two weeks.
Dewey can demand the. surrender of
Manila, and II not complied he will
lombard the city which he is permitted
to do according to International law,
providing he gives n days notice.
This, could give the people an oppor-
tunity to flee to the hills where their
condition would not be improved, as the
insurgents are now In possession of the
outlying districts.
Although the sentiment at Wash
tngton Is averse to holding the is
lands permanently. yet they will be
occupied until Spain pays the ex-
penses Of the United States incurred
by the present war. "A coaling station
will, however. be permanently retained
on the islands.
Admiral Dewey has been instructed
to establish a military government in
the island as rapidly as possible. He
will make this as stable as he can.
and has been advised particularly with
reference, to the rights of foreign cit
izens.
The City of Pekin Is now at San
Francisco, and the Mare Island Navy
Yard people promised to have her In
condition to receive troops and sup
plies in n few days. Meanwhile the
navy office Will make every effort to
get together some more swift merchant
steamers to serve as transports. II Is
not doubted that a sufficient number
Of these can be secured from among
the swift powerful steamers of the
great ocean liners starting from San
Francisco.
General Miles thought that about g.
900 troops would suffice to reinforce
Dewey. With vessels like the City of
Pekin no trouble would be found in
carrying these to the Philippines in six
ships within three weeks.
II Is the present purpose to start the
expedition on the 18th. The troops will
be taken mainly from the West The
War Department promised to take one
or the infantry companies from Idaho.
other troops Will be drawn from Wash
ington and California. There are eight
companies of United States regulars In
San Francisco harbor, and they prob.
apiy VIII be dispatched. their places in
the coast defense being taken by the
four cavalry companies at the Preside
and some of the six companies of the
Fourteenth Infantry now at Vancouver.
barracks.
At the embassies and legations at
Washington Commodore Dewey's re
ports were read with great interest and
served to renew the high tributes of
the foreign authorities to the gallant
American commander The remarkable
disparity between the casualties on the
American and Spanish ships, as shown
by the Dewey report, was a source of
special comment. and the military at
tache Of one of the embassies said such
disparity probably was without a
parallel In history. How the Spaniards
could have lost $50 killed and $50
wounded, while the American loss was
confined to a few men slightly injured,
is regarded by the foreign observers as
clearly disclosing the utter worthless
ness of Spanish arms. The ambassador
Of one of the great powers said II show
ed that the guns Of the Spanish forts,
as well as those on their ships. were
worthless otherwise they would have
inflicted at least some mortality upon
the American sailors.