The record-union., 1898-10-21
Regarding the Situation at Manila and
Other Points In Islands.
Conditions at Manila Much I'M
proved and No Trouble Antici-
pated With the Insurgents
Story of a Naval Battle Pro-
nounced Absurd by Both Navy
and War Departments.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 20-General
Otis has cabled the War Department
quite a long dispatch regarding the
conditions in Manila and the Phlllp-
pines. The dispatch contains matters
which bear on the negotiations pending
in Paris and will be cabled to the UnI-
ted States Peace Commissioners to-day.
The dispatch says the situation at Ma
nila has improved and General OTIS
says he does not anticipate any trou-
ble with the insurgents. The War De-
partment to-day posted the following
bulletin:
1.-The situation in LuZon is somewhat
improved. The influence of Filipinos
of education and property not desiring
independent Government, but hostile TO
Spain, gaining ascendency in reVolu-
tionary councils. Am promising noth-
ing but enforcing the law. Compllca-
ticns seriously affect inter-island COM
merce and diminish revenue. Affairs
progressing favorably, though sick re-
port increasing, owing mostly to care
leSSneSs of enlisted men. Health IF
officers good. Condition of city and ia
cilities for quartering troops improving.
Fever decreasing. Intestinal troubles
about the same. Many slight ailments.
Smallpox apparently arrested. Dur
ing the month % deaths, ) smallpox,
s typhoid fever, 3 malarial and intcS-
t.nal complaints, 3 accidental"
General Otis cabled considerable more
than the above, but the department
does not deem it advisable to make the
other portions of the dispatch public
because of it's bearing upon the peace
negotiations. 1t contains suggestions
by General Otis regarding the DISPOSE
ton of the Philippines, and also 1nfor-
nation about the insurgents.
STORY OF A NAVAL BATTLE
SECUTED.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 20.-The sensa-
tional 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 General Otis nor United
States Consul Wildman have regarded
il as worthy of notice.
1t is believed at the Navy Depart
ment that the Spanish authorities refer
to the seizure of the little steamer Alb
hey by the McCulloch, September 23d
last. The steamer was of American
register, though formerly known as the
Pasig. It was reported to Admiral
Dewey that she was bringing arms and
supplies of war to the insurgents. He
sent the McCulloch to stop this move
ment, but when the cutter found the
Abbey in Batansas Bay the vessel had
landed her cargo of arms, and the in
surgents refused to give them up.
Thereupon the Abbey was seized and
taken by the McCulloch 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 it.
1t is just possible that there have
been some similar incidents not deemed
worthy of report in the islands of Cebu
or Paney, as it has reported that some
insurgent vessels have been carrying
arms to spread the insurrection in
those islands, and Dewey would have
repressed them. But the reports to the