The Topeka state journal., 1898-10-20
Washington Hasn't Heard.


Manila bay.
Washington Hasn't Heard.
Washington, Oct 2O.-As far as could
be ascertained, no information regard
ing the reported naval engagement has
been received at the navy department
nor has Gen. Otis, commanding the
United States troops at Manila, made
reference to it in any cOmmunica-
tions he may have made to the war de-
partment.
The dispatch created considerable in
tereSt in Washington. Recently the
newspapers contained a statement that
Admiral Dewey had dispatched one or
two of his ships to another portion of
some Importance, and the suggestion
is made unOfficially that it may have
been these vessels which have been en-
gagged in combat with the insurgents.
Will Send the News to Paris.
Madrid, Oct. 2O.-The cabinet has de-
cided to forward to the Spanish peace
commissioners at Paris an official dis
patch received yesterday from Manila
representing an engagement between
the American and insurgent warships,
growing out of the refusal OF Admiral
Dewey to allow the insurgents to fly
their flag from their ships
Spain Has a Purpose.
Washington, Oct. 20.-The ensational
Spanish report of naval battle between
Admiral Dewey's vessels and the insur-
gent 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 General Otis nor Z. s. Consul
Wildman have regarded it as worthy Of
notice.
It 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.
The 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 NC
Culloch 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 in
surgents refused to give them up.
taken by the McCulIoch to Manila. This
affair could not be dignified with the
name of a naval engagement and Ad-
miral Dewey in reporting the seizure TO
the navy department made little of 1t.
IT is lust possible that there have been
some similar incidents not deemed wor-
thy of report in the Islands OF Cebu or
Panay as it has ben reported that some
insurgent vessels have been carrying
arms to spread the insurrection IN those
islands and Dewey would have repreS-
sed them. But the reports to the navy
department show that it is absurd to
speak of an inSurgent navy seriously,
for the entire force consists of few
schooners, and one or two little coast
ing steamers, altogether not being a
match for the least of the vessels un-
der DeWey's command.
The explanation of the admiraPs in
terference with these vessels in their
operations is a desire on his part to
maintain the status quo in the Philip
pines pending the conclusion of the
peace commissions work in Paris. It is
said that it is not surprising that the
Spanish cabinet is trying to make much
of this incident that can be twisted into
a demonstration of actual hostiIities
between the American forces in the
Philippines and the insurgents for that
would make ground to sustain the con-
tention they are sure to put forward
when the Philippines come under con-
sideratiOn before the Paris commission
that the United States forces never
have been able to take possess on of and
hold this territory outside of Manila
proper. Under the rules of internatiOn-
al law such a point would be entitled to
serious consideration in detern lining
what disposition should be made of ter
ritOT~V