The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-10-21

Washington, Oct 20.-No credence
whatever is given by the navy depart
ment TO the report from Madrid of the
engagement between Dewey's ships and
an insurgent fleet Nothing has been
received from Dewey on the subject and
General Otis yesterday sent long dis
patch to the war department, in which
no mention was made of such an af-
fair 1t is assumed at the department
that If there was any truth in the story
Washington would have news of it as
soon as Madrid.
The war department today posted the
following bulletin:
Under date of yesterday. General
Otis Cabled the war department: The
situation in LuZon somewhat improved.
Influence of Filipinos of education and
property, not desiring independent gov
ornmcnt but hostile to Spain, gaining
usCendancy I'm revolutionary councils.
Promising nothing, but enforcing the
law. Complications seriously affect in
tor-island commerce and diminish reve-
nue.. Affairs progressing favorably.
though sick report increasing, owing
mostly to Carelessness Of enlisted men.
Health of officers good. Condition of
city and facilities for quartering troops
improving. Fever decreasing. Intes-
final troubles about the same. Many
slight ailments; smallpox, apparently
arrested. During the month twenty
eight deaths, eight smallpox, eight ty-
phoid fever, five malaral and intes-
tnal complaints, three accidental"
General Otis cablad considerable more
than the above, but the department
does not deem it advisable to make the
other portions of the dispatch public,
because of its bearings upon the peace
negotiations. 1t contains suggestions
by General Otis regarding the dispo-
sition Of the Philippines and also In
formation about the insurgents.
A FAIRY TALE.
The sensational Spanish report Of a
naval battle between Admiral Dewey's
vessels and the insurgent navy in the
Philippines is received with absolute
incredulity in both the navy and war
departments. If there has been any
recent action, Admiral Dewey has
failed to mention it, and neither Gen
eral Otis nor United States Consul
Widman have regarded it as worthy
of notice.
It is believed at the navy depart
ment that the Spanish authorities re-
fer to the seizure of the little steamer
Abby by the McCulloch on Sept. %
last. This steamer was of American
register. though formerly known as the
Pasig. 1t was reported to Admiral
Dewey that she was bringing arms
and supplies of war to the insurgents.
He sent the McCulloch to stop this
movement, but when the cutter found
the Abby in Bahamas bay the latter
vessel had landed her cargo of arms
and the insurgents refused to give
them up. Thereupon the Abby was
seized and taken by the McCulloch ia
Manila
This affair could not be dignfied with
the name of a naval engagement and
Admiral Dewey in reporting the seiz-
ure to the navy department made lit
tie of it,
1t is just possible that there have
been some similar incidents, not
deemed worthy of report, in the is
lands of Cobu or Panay as it has been
reported that some insurgent vessels
have been carrying arms to spread the
insurrection in these islands and
Dewey would have repressed them.
But the reports to the navy depart.
ment show that It is absurd to speak
of an insurgent navy seriously. for the
entire force consists of a few schoon.
ers and one or two little coasting steam.
ers all put together not being a match
for the least of the vessels under Dew.
ey's command.
THE EXPLANATION.
The explanation Of the admirars in.
reference with these vessels in theI,
operations is a desire on his part tC
maintain the status quo in the Philip
pines pending the conclusion of tn,
peace commissions work in Paris.
1t is said here that II is not surpris.
ing that the Spanish cabinet is trying
10 make much of any incident that car
be twisted into a demonstration of ac,
tual hostilities between the American
forces in the Philippines and the insur.
gents, for such an occurrence would
help sustain the contention they ar,
sure TO put forward, when the Philip
pines come under consideration befor,
the Paris commission. that the United
States forces never have been able I,
take possession of and hold territor,
outside Of Manila proper. Under tn
rules OF International law such poin
would be entitled 10 serious consldera
ton in determining what disposition