The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-07-23
Message from General Anderson Stat
ing that the Natives Expect to
Gain Their independence.
MANILA FURTHER MENACED
AMERICAN TROOPS NOW GETTING IN
POSITION FOR ATTACK.
Several Regiments Stationed Close to
the Spanish Lines-GeneraI Greene
in Command of the Outpost.

WASHINGTON, July PA dispatch to
the War Department from Colonel Ander-
son at Manila under date of Hong-Kong,
July %, says: General Aguinaldo has de-
clared a dictatorship and martial law over
all the Philippine islands. The natives ex-
pect independence. Recommend Chinese
ponies" Colonel Anderson was the senior
army officer at the Philippines when the
dispatch was. sent, probably several days
before its Hong-Kong date. The reference
to Chinese ponies means that Colonel An
derson desires that kind Of cavalry animals.
The news that Aguinaldo had declared a,
dictatorship and martial law over the
Philippines gave the Cabinet food for con-
sideration at its regular meeting to-day.
There was no disposition to force any issue
with the insurgent chief at this time, but
it is pretty we'll understood that he will not
be allowed to commit the United States
government in the future treatment of the
Philippines question. The visit of the Ger
man ambassador to the President and to the
secretary of state was a basis for a belief
that he had called to make some representa-
ton on that subject, and perhaps as we'll
on the question of the peace as affected by
the programme laid down by Watson's
projected voyage to European waters. If
and "a friendly visit was the only explana-
ton offered by Secretary Day for the APP
pearance of the German ambassador in the
dog days" in Washington. The embassy
people were no more communicative, so that
if anything of Importance passed during
the meeting between the President and DIR.
Won Holleben it probably will be revealed
only in the shape of action later on. 1t
would not be surprising if it should develop
that strong European influences are being
brought to bear to dissuade the Navy De-
partment from dispatching Watson's fleet
to Europe, but so far they appear to have
been Intellectual, for it is officially stated
that the departure of the squadron is only
delayed. not abandoned.
The only official communication that has
reached the War Department touching the
state of affairs at the Philippines was con-
tanned in the brief dispatch from General
Anderson, the commander of the first mill
tary expedition. He made no mention of
the reported seizure by the second detach-
ment on it's way coming over of Wake ISL
and, lying about half way between Homo
lulu and the Philippines. No particular
significance however, is attached to this
seizure even should it be reported officially
for it was known in advance that the pro-
gramme was for both the naval and mill
tary expeditions to touch on their way
westward from Honolulu at any of the small
Spanish islands, or islands not possessed
by other nations, for the purpose of taking
on coal from the Golfers accompanying
them, work which can be undertaken
safely only in smooth water. 1t is very
likely that this has been done at Wake
island and that as an incident, a
flag may have been hoisted, though
from the described character of the
island it is likely to be of little
service as a coaling station without ex-
pensive harbor improvements. and of no
service at all as a cable station, because it
is a coral isalnd, and therefore destructive
to cables.