Evening star., 1898-10-20
General Otis Reports That 1t Hal
Somewhat Improved.
EWEY'S REPORTED NAVAL FIGHT
The Report Received With Abso-
lutte lncreduIity.
N o ms RGENT NAV

| LONDON, October 20-The Madrid cor
| respondent of the Times says:
Captain Aunon, the minister of marine
hes received a disps tch from Manila an
nonncing naval engagement between the
Americans and the rebels, in consequence
| OF Admiral Dewey forbidding the latter to
NY the rebel flag from their ships The
dispatch adds that there were losses on both
sides, but that the Americans CAPTURED
the rebel Ships
The scene of the engagement Is aot
stated, but 1t is supposed to have been
Manila bay
MADRID, October 20.-The cabinet has
decided to forward to the Spanish peace
commissioners at Paris the ofilcial dispstci
received yesterday ffcm Manila reportinly
an engagement between the American and
nsnrsent WarshipS growing out of the re-
fusai of Admiral Dewey to allow the in
surgehts to fly their flag from their ships
The dispatch says that Admiral Dewey
haflng forbidden the Tagalos to hoist the
Philippine flag Upon their vessels. a series
OF lights ensued. resulting in loss on both
sides. ~
General Otis has cabled the War Depart
ment quite long dispatch regarding the
conditions in Manila and the Philippines
The dispatch contains matter which bear
on the negotiations pending In Paris and
Will be cabled to the United States peace
commissioners today
The Secretary Of War made public the
following extract from the report:
situation In Luzon somewhat improved
influence of Filipnos of education and
property not desiring Independent govern
ment but hostile to Spain gaining ascend
ercy in revolutionary councils Promising
nothing but enforcing the law Complica-
a int ic;a
and diminish revenue. Affairs progressing
favorably. though sick report increasing.
owing mostly to carefessness of enlisted
men. Health of officers good. Condition
or city and facilities for quartering troops
improving. Fever decreasing. Intestinal
troubles about the same. Many slight all
ments: smallpox apparently arrested. Dur
Ing the month twenty-eight deaths-eight
smallpox. eight typhoid fever, five malarial
and intestinal complaints, three acci-
dental"
Gen. Otis Freely Expresses Himself.
There was much more in General OTIS
dispatch, but the department did not con-
slider 1t prudent to make 1t public lust at
this time, pending the settlement of the
question of the disposition of the Philip
pines by the peace commissioners al Paris
1t is understood that General Otis exnress-
es himself freely in regard to the present
political condition of the islands and the
best course to follow for their future gov
ernment.
The Reported Naval Battle
The sensational Spanish report in the
morning Iapers of a naval battle between
Admiral Dewey's vessels and the insurgent
navy In the Philippines is received with alb
solute incredulity in the State NAVY and
war Departments. If there has been any
recent action Admiral Dewey has failed 10
mention it, and neither Gen. Otis nor United
States Consul Wildmann has 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 the
McCulloch, on September % last This
steamer was of American register though
formerly known as the Pasig 1t was re-
ported TO Admiral Dewey that she was
bringing arms and supplies of war to the
insurgents. He sent the McCulloch to stop
TINS movement, but when the cutter found
the Abby in Bahamas bay the latter vessel
nad landed her cargo of arms and the in
surgents refused to give them I'D There
upon the Abby was seized and taken bv tbe
McCulloch to Manila. This affair could not
be dfgntfied with the name of a naval on
gagement, ind Admiral Dewey in reporting
the seizure to the Navy Department made
little of II.
Possibly Some Unimportant Affair.".
IT Is just possible that there have been
some similar incidents not deemed worthy
PanAV \
as 1t has been reported that some insur- |
gent vessels have been carving arms ia |
spread the insurrection in those islands and |
Dewey would have repressed them But
the reports to the Navy Department show
lnal IL Is absurd to speak of an insurgent |
navy seriously, for the entire force con-
slsts of a few schooners and one or TWO
Httie coastlng steamers, altogether not a |
Tna.em nan,an ior Ine least OF the vessels under |
admlral interference with these vessels |
IN tHelr operations in desire on his part to
MAINTAIN the status quo in the Philippines.
penang the conclusion of the peace com
mission work in Paris. 1t is said here
tnet 1t is not surprising that the Snanisb
caoinet is trying TO make much of any in
cioent that can be twisted into a demon
Strauon or actual hostilitieS between the
occupying American forces in the Phiiin-
pines and the Insurgents. for that would
tend to sustain the contention they are sure |
TO put forward when the Philippines cues
llon comes up for consideration before the |
farls commission, that the United States
FORCES nave never been able to take possess |
sion of and hold territory outside of Ma
MIA proper Under the rules of interna-
tional law, such point would be entitled |
to serious consideration in determininp
what disposition should be made of terri
tory in dispute.
Spanish Officers to BE Paroled,
The Secretary OF War sent a cable mes |
sage this afternoon to Major General Otis. |
In command of the military forces at Ma
nila, authorizing him to parole twenty
Spanish officers. now in his custody as pris-
oners of war. Application for the parole /
Of these officers was made by the Spanish
authorities to General Otis and he referred !
the question to the War Department 1t |
IS understood that the prisoners desire to |
return to Spain.
HILARITY AT AN EXECUTION
Children Play With Headless Trunks |