The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-09-20
RUSHING PREPARATIONS.
battleships Oregon and Iowa to Be
Hastened to Manila.

Hnstened to Manila.
Washington, Sept. 19-The officials at
the state and war departments welcomed
the notice sent to the American people
through the Associated Press Of the falsity
of the stories describing the friction be-
tween the Philippines and the American
forces in Luzon. While the officials did
not care to discuss the matter for publi-
cation, it was evident that the main source
Of their satisfaction was the internal evil
dence contained in the document that
Gen Aguinaldo had profited by the warn
ings of the American commanders and
had gracefully receded from the arrogant
attitude assumed by him just before Gen.
Merritt left Manila for Paris.
The navy department is rushing prepa-
ration for the start of the big battleshtps
Oregon and Iowa to Honolulu, and orders
have been sent to the New York navy
yard to have the mechanics work over
time on these ships. The purpose is to
nave them start on their long voyage by
the end of the present month, and, ac-
cording to the department calculations,
they would arrive at their destination by
the end Of January. There is little effort
now to conceal the fact that the depart-
ment will have the ships met at Honolulu
by dispatch boat with orders to turn
their prows westward to Manila.
Battleships of this character are not
needed to keep the Filipino insurgents in
order, and their assembling at Manila in
conjunction with the dispatch of heavy re-
lnforcements of troops for the American
land forces cannot but be regarded as
significant. In well-informed circles here
1t is said that the real purpose of the
President in making these preparations is
to insure the peace commissioners against
any interference in their work of dispos-
ing of the future of the Philippine Islands
according to their best Judgment Not
having disclosed his plans respecting the
islands outside of Luzon, the seat of the
capital of the group, the President still re-
serves for the American peace commits
sioners the right to dispose Of the re-
mainder 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 feeling of uneasiness on
the part of the administration as tending
TO show a purpose to interfere in our
free action in the Philippines. and this
has been only slightly diminished by ap-
parently frank disclaimers of an Interior
purpose, because the incidents continue
quietly and in a manner calculated to
avoid attracting attention. Such, for in
stance Is the gathering of naval vessels
to the south of the Philippine group. the
only explanation of which, coming from
native sources. 1t is true, but still bearing
marks of genuineness, is a purpose of ac
quiring either by seizure or by some Sc
cret pact with the Spanish government
the important Island of Palawan. This
particular island forms one side of the
gateway through which must pass all of
the extensive commerce that flows be-
tween Australia Micronesia and Southern
China. The passage is narrow, and If
the islands of the Philippine group are
TO be retained outside of Luzon, this
Island of Palawan must be kept as form
ing one side of the gateway. 1t is gath
cred that 1t is the purpose of the Pres
dent, therefore to prevent the alienation
by Spain of any of the Philippine group
and that these preparations, naval as well
as military. are but steps toward the
execution of his purpose.
with the addition to his feet of the bat
tieships, Admiral Dewey will have a force
only second to that of Great Britain In
Eastern waters. while on shore Gen. Otis
will have a more numerous army than
any European power, save Russia.