The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1898-10-22

Naval Engagement Between Ameri-
cans and Insurgents Said to Have
Occurred I'm Manila Hay. 4.

London, Oct. 20.-The Madrid corre-
spondent OF the Times says: Capt.
Aunon, the minister OF marine, has re-
ceived dispatch from Manila announc-
ing n naval engagement between the
Americans and the rebels, in conse-
quence OF Admiral Dewey forbidding
the latter TO fly 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 not
stated, but IL is supposed TO have been
in Manila bay.
Madrid, Oct. 20.-The cabinet has de-
cided TO forward TO the Spanish peace
commissioners at Paris an official dis
patch received from Manila reporting
an engagement between the American
and !nsurgent warships growing out
of the refusal OF Admiral Dewey TO al
low the insurgents to fly their flag
from their ships.
Washington, Oct. 20.-As far as
could be ascertained no information
regarding the reported naval engage
ment has been received at the navy
department, nor has Gen. Otis, COM
handing the United States troops at
Manila, made any reference TO IL in
any communications he may have
made TO the war department The
dispatch created considerable interest
in Washington. Recently the newspo-
pers contained a statement that Adj
miral Dewey had dispatched one or
two of his ships TO another portion of
the Philippine group on a mission OF
some Importance, and the suggestion
Is made unofficially that il may have
been these vessels which have been en-
gagged in combat with the insurgents.
The news from Manila, IL true, pre-
sents n new phase in the Philippine Sit
uation, and the battle. IL verified, may
be the means OF break with the in
surgents. A land battle may be precip-
itated by the attitude OF Aguinaldo's
followers. Gen. Otis forces now oc-
cupy Manila and its suburbs, but the
insurgents, to the number Of $4,000
are in close proximity to the Amer-
cans, and the Filipinos may clash with
them TO revenge the killing Of some Of
their number. The reports from Mad
rid indicate Dewey has again shown
that he Is master Of the situation, and
this may have the effect OF cooling the
ardor OF the land forces. The Ameri-
can admiral came in for much praise
for his prompt action, and the news
that the insurgents ships were cap
tured was gratifying TO all who
heard IT,
The insurgent feet in Manila bay
was made up OF two steam launches,
two tugs and several sailing vessels.
One of the launches was in the per-
sonal service of Aguinaldo. He OBJ
tanned possession OF il through cour-
tesy of Admiral Dewey. The tugs and
schooners were in control of natives,
who raised the insurgent flag soon
after the destruction OF the Spanish
fleet. The insurgents had one small
gunboat in the vicinity of Cebu. In
July Aguinaldo leased tramp steam
er in the vicinity of Cebu and put four
small guns on the deck. This steamer
was used in transporting supplies for
insurgents. The launches and tugs
In Manila bay and the Pasig river car
ried the insurgent flag without pro-
test Tor several weeks after the fall Of
Manila.
The insurgent flag was raised over
Corregidor island as late as September
/. 1t was a common sight on buildings
and ports held by natives in the sub
urbs of Manila. There was no organ
lied native fleet IN Manila waters, and
oil boats which they possessed appear
TO have been turned over to them by
Admiral Dewey previous TO the arrival
of the American troops and for the
purpose of assisting Aguinaldo's SOL
diers. The Filipinos were persistent
in raising their flag in territory occu-
pied by the American soldiers. Their
action caused much feeling after
Manila was taken, but Cen Merritt is
sued no order or The subject