Daily new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1897-1906, 1898-09-20
NO INTERFERENCE.
Propose to Do as We Please
With Philippines.
STRONG FORCE TO BE AT MANILA.
Battlesinips to soon Start For Honolulu,
but Evidently Later to Join Dewey.
More Troops Ordered to Manila Ger
tain Nation Better Keep Hands on.

WASHINGTON, Sept. 20.-The officials
at the state and war departments well
coined the notice sent yesterday to the
American people through The Asso-
ciated Press of the falsity of the stories
describing the friction between the Fill
panos and the American forces in
Luzon While the officials did not
care TO discuss the matter for publica-
ton IT was evident the main source of
their satisfaction was the internal evil
dence contained in the document that
Aguinaldo had protited by the warn
ings of the american commanders and
had gracefully receded from the AFRO
CANT attitude assumed by him Just be-
fore General Merritt left Manila for
Paris.
While there is little in the official re-
ports that tends to contradict what the
insurgent chief says, still it must be re-
called that both General Otis and ADJ
miral Dewey, in cable messages to
Washington, have pointed out threat
ening complications arising from the at
titude of the insurgents. The last adj
vices received at the war department
from Manila came from General Otis
Friday last, and, while the officer re-
ferred to the agitation exhibited by the
insurgent., he took care to state that he
had troops enough in his opinion to
meet any emergency.
With this statement from the COM
manding general on the scene of actiy-
ity fresh III mind, the war department
explanation for the dispatch of fresh re-
Inducements for the American army at
Manila, namely that it is but part of
movement originally planned, appears
to warrant IL further inquiry. The navy
department Is rushing preparations for
the start OF the big battleships Oregon
and Iowa 10 Honolulu. The purpose is
to have them start on their long voyage
by the end Of the present month and
according to the department calcula-
tons they should arrive at their destina-
ton by the end of January. There is
little effort now made to conceal the
fact that the department will have the
ships met a5 Honolulu by a dispatch
boat With orders to turn their proWs
westward to Manila.
Battleships of this character are not
needed to keep the Filipano insurgents
in order, and their assembling in Ma
Mia in conjunction with the dispatch of
heavy reinforcements of troops for the
American land forces cannot but be re-
garded as significant. In well informed
circles here 1t is said that the real pur-
pose of the president in making these
preparations is to insure the peace COM
missioners against any interference iii
their work OF disposing of the future of
the Philippine islands according to their
best Judgment.
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 uneasi-
ness on the part of the administration,
as tending to show a purpose to inter
fere in our free action in the Philip
pines, and this has been only slightly
diminished by apparently frank dis
chalmers OF an Interior purpose, be-
cause the incidents continue quietly
and in manner calculated to avoid at
tracing attention. Such for instance
is the gathering of naval vessels to the
south of the Philippine group, the only
explanation of which, coming from
native sources, it is true, but still bear
ing marks OF genuineness, is a purpose
of acquiring either by seizure or by
some secret pact with the Spanish gov
eminent the important island of Pala-
wan.
This particular island forms one side
of the gateway through which must
pass all of the extensive commerce that
flows between Australia, Micronesia
and Southern China. The passage is
narrow, and if the islands of the Philip
pine group are to be retained, outside of
Luzon this island of Palawan must be
kept. as forming one side of the gate
way. 1t is gathered that it is the pur-
pose of the president, therefore, to pre-
vent 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
two battleships Admiral Dewey will
have force only second to that OF
Great Britain in eastern waters, while
on shore General Otis will have a more
numerous army than any European
power save Russia.
The advance guard of the naval ex-
petition for Honolulu and probably for
Manila started Sunday, when the Abar-
enda sailed from Fortress Monroe via
Brazil The Abarenda is a collier, one
of which are to keep the big battleships
Oregon and Iowa supplied with coal on
their long voyage around South
America. The plan is to have TWO of
the golfers precede the battleships, and
two to go along with them.
In addition to these escorting craft,
Acting Secretary Allen yesterday or
dered that the Celtic and the Iris be
added TO the expedition. The Celtic is
a Refrigerator and supply ship and the
Iris is disabling ship. Their capacity
ia apormo11G