The age-herald., 1898-10-21
REPORT OF NAVAL BATTLE
Believed to be Absolutely Without FOun-
 dation by Washington Officials.
SEIZURE OF THE STEAMER ABBEY
Sensational Spanish Story Was Based-No Mention of Trou-
 ble in Comm u lication.

Washington, October 20.-General Otis has cabled the war department quite long dis patch regarding the conditions in Manila and, the Philippines The dispatch con- tains matters which bear on the negotia- tions pending in Paris and will be cabled to the United States peace commissioners today.
 The dispatch says the situation at Ma nila has improved and General Otis says he does not anticipate any trouble with the insurgents.
 The war department today posted the following bulletin:
 Under date of yesterday General Otis telegraphed the war department: "Situation in Luzon Is somewhat im- proved. Influence of Filipinos of education and property not desiring independent government, but hostile to Spain is gaining ascendency in revolutionary councils. Promising nothing, but enforcing the law. Complications seriously affect inter-island commerce and diminish revenue. Affairs progressing favorably, though sick report increasing, owing mostly to carelessness of enlisted men. Health of officers good. Con- dition of city and facilities for quartering s. testinal troubles about the same. Many slight ailments; smallpox apparently ar rested. During the month twenty-eight deaths, eight smallpox, eight typhoid, mala- rial and intestinal complaints, three acci- dental"
 Bearing on Negotiations
 General Otis cabed considerably more than the above, but the department does not deem it advisable to make the other portions of the dispatch public because Of it's bearing upon the peace negotiations. IL contains suggestions by General Otis re- garding the disposition of the Philippines and also information about the insurgents The sensational Spanish reports of naval battle between Admiral Dewey's ves- sells and the insurgent navy in the Phil ippines is received with absolute increduil- ty in both the navy and war departments If there has been any recent action Ad- miral Dewey has failed to mention It. ana neither General Otis nor United States Consul Wildman have regarded 1t as worthy of notice.
 It is believed at the navy department that the Spanish authorities refer to the seizure of the little steamer Abbey by the McCul- Ioch on September 23 last. This steamer was of American register, though formerly known as the Pasig. It was reported to Admiral Dewey that she was bringing
  He sent the McCulloch to stop this move ment, but when the cutter found the Ab- bey in Batanzas bay the latter vessel had landed her cargo of arms, and the lnsur- gents refused to give them up Thereupon the Abbey was seized and taken by the Mc- Culloch to Manila.
 Dewey Made Little off
 This affair could not be dignified with the name of naval engagement and Admiral Dewey in reporting the seizure to the navy department, made little of it.
 It is just possible that there have been some similar incidents not deemed worthy of report in the islands of Cebu or Fancy, as it has been reported that insurgent ves- sells have been carrying arms to the in- surgents in the different islands to spread the revolution. But the reports to the navy department show that it is absurd to speak of an insurgent navy seriously, for the en- tire force consists of a few schooners, 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 explanation of the admirals inter- ference with these vessels in their opera tons is desire on his part to maintain the status-quo in the Philippines pending the conclusion of the peace commissions work in Paris. It is said here that it is not sur prising that Spain in her cabinet Is trying to make an incident that can be twisted into a demonstration and actual hostities between the occupying American forces in the Philippines and the insurgents for that would make good ground to sustain the contention they are sure to put forth when the Philippines comes under consideration before the Paris commission that the United States forces never have been able to take possession of and hold territory outside of Manila proper.
 Under the rules of international law such a point would be entitled to serious consid- eratfon in determining what disposition should be made of territory