Evening star., 1898-04-30
THE PHILIPPIN ES
A Battle May Be Raging There
Today.
STRENGTH OF TIE TWO FLEETS
Permanent Occupation Of the
Islands Not Contemplated.
TIRE ATS TO INTERFER

The eyes of the civilized world are CEN
tered today on the Philippine Islands. I'm
less all signs fail events are in progress
there which will have most important ef-
feet upon the war between the United
States and Spain, and which may possibly
cause change in the map of the eastern
hemisphere. Pursuant to the war plans of
the strategic board the Asiatic squadron,
under command of Commodore Dewey, will
today attempt to make a landing on Span
ish territory in the far east, not for the
purpose of conquest, however, but more for
the purpose of establishing a base of opera
tions in that part of the world. This course
has been rendered imperative because of
the action of the powers in the orient in
declaring neutrality and closing their ports
to tine vessels of the belligerents. The
United States has a large and powerful
fleet in Chinese waters, and unless it Sc
cures a port in that quarter, where it can
secure coal and other supplies, including
provisions, it will be put to the extremity
of returning home, course which 1t has no
disposition or intention of pursuing.
Permanent Occupation Not Intended.
The present policy of the United States,
it is said. does not contemplate the perma-
HeHI OcCupdtlOn u SfdtHSH teITilOIy III Tic
far east any more than it involves the an
nexation of Cuba. Its operations in both
instances are governed solely by its pur-
pose to terminate Spanish sovereignty in
Cuba and to give the people of that island
peace and a stable government. This policy
involves the enforced retirement of the
Spanish army under General Blanco and
the establishment as well Of a base of
operations in the Spanish colony in the In
dian ocean for the protection OF the vast
American interests in Asia.
Commodore Dewey has a strong fleet Of
modern warsnips under his command, and
the confid ant expectation is that he will
have no special difficulty in the execution
of his orders to seize Manila or some other
large port in the Philippine group and es-
tablsh his headquarters there pending the
settlement of the conflict between Spain
and the United States over the future pos
session Of Cuba. He will undoubtedly re-
ceive material aid in this movement by
the people of the islands, who, like their
nefghbors in Cuba. have been in rebellion
against Spanish oppression, for over three
years past. Advices from Madrid as well
as from Manila indicate that the Spanish
government will resist the efforts of the
United States to effect landing in the
Philippines to the full extent of its power.
1t has large standing army in the colony
and a fair-siZed naval fleet. The latter,
however, is not considered powerful
enough to cope for any length of time with
the American fleet which is moving against
it. The land forces will be too much occupied
in resisting the advances of the insurgents,
who are confidently expected to act with
the American forces, to make any effectual
case of the defeat of the Spanish navy.
An Engagement Expected Today.
An engagement between the sea forces is
expected today, Commodore Dewey's
fleet is undoubtedly in the neighborhood
of Manila by this time, and it is possible
that decisive battle has already occurred.
The American fleet was due at Manila
today, and if the Spanish fleet lives up
to it's alleged purpose OF giving fight, 1T is
possible that Commodore Dewey has al
ready struck blow which will render his
subsequent proceedings in the establish
ment of base of operations at that point
merely matters of detail.
News from that quarter of the globe
must necessarily be taken with a consid-
cradle grain cf allowance, inasmuch as
the SDaniards have control of the cable
connections, and, following their usual war
methods, will undoubtedly herald great
victory, regardless of the facts in the case.
The truth will therefore have to come from
other sources, and may be little slow of
development. Presuming that Commodore
Dewey is bound directly for Manila, the
calculation made at the Navy Department
shows that he should arrive there about
o clock this morning, Manila time, which
is about twelve hours earlier than our own
The opposing fleets near Manila are made
up as follows:
United States.
Baltimore, cruiser, 4.413 tons, four S-inch
and six 6-inch guns; Olympia alag
ship, cruiser, $50 tons, four s-inch
ana ten 5-inch suns; Concord, gun
boat, 1,710 tons, six 6-inch guns; Boston
cruiser, 1900 tons, six 8-inch and two g.
irch guns; Petrol, gunboat S92 tons, four
6-inch guns; Raleigh, cruiser, 32l3 tons
ter 5-inch and one 8-inch guns; Monocacy.
cruiser, 1870 tons, four S-inch guns:
Hugh McCulloch. revenue cutter small ton
noge; Zafiro. auxiliary cruiser; Nanshan,
store ship.
Reina Christina, cruiser, 5000 tons, six
6.2-tnciI guns; Castillo cruiser, 1892 tons,
four 59-fnch guns; Velasco, cruiser, 1,1SU
tons 1our So-lnch guLs; Don Juan de Aus
tria, cruiser, LISP tens. four 4.7-inch guns:
Don Antonio de Ulloa. cruiser. 1.152 tons,
four 4.7-inch guas; Ell Cano. sunboat, b25
tons. three 4.7-inch guns; General Lezo,
sunboat. 525 tons, three 4.7-inch guns;
MARQUEE del Duero. gunboat, 500 tons, one
6.2-inch guns; Paragua, gunboat, 1877 tons;
Manila, transport; Cebu, transport; Alava,
transport. These vessels have from two to
five torpedo tubes.
1t is understood that the Spanish feet
has had added to it a large merchant ship
fitted up as an auxiliary cruiser.
Threats to Interfere.
Regarding the harmless growls that ap-
pear in the European papers and threats
to interfere to prevent the Undtea States
forces from blockading the Philippines, 1t
may be stated that this was fully expected
During the civil war there were q great