The semi-weekly messenger., 1898-10-25

department today posted the following
bulletin, under date of yesterday:
General Otis cables the war depart
ment that the situation in LuZon is
somewhat improved. The influence Of
Filippinos of education and property,
not desiring an independent govern
ment, but hostile to Spain, is gaining
ascendency in the revolutionary coun-
ellis. I am promising nothing, but am
enforcing the law. The complications
seriously affect inter-island commerce
and diminish revenue. Affairs are pro-
crossing favorably, though the sick re-
port is increasing, owing mostly to
carelessness of the enlisted men.
Health of the officers is good. Fever is
decreasing. Intestinal troubles are
about the same. During the month
there were twenty-eight deaths-eight
smallpox, eight typhoid fever, five ma
larial and intestinal complaints, three
accidental"
General Otis cabled considerably
more than the above, but the depart
ment does not deem it advisable to
make the other portions of the dis
patch public, because of it's bearing
upon the peace negotiations. 1t con-
tainS suggestions made by General
Otis regarding the disposition of the
Philippines and also information about
the insurgents.
The sensational Spanish report of a
naval battle between Admiral Dewey's
fleet and the insurgents 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 fail
ed to mention it, and neither General
Otis, nor United States Consul Wild
man have regarded it as worthy Of no
tice. 1t is believed at the navy depart
ment that the Spanish authorities re-
fer to the seizure of the little steamer
Abbey by the McCulloch on September
23rd last. The steamer was of Ameri-
can register, though formerly known
as the Pasig. 1t was reported to Ad
miral Dewey that she was bringing
arms and supplies of war to the in
surgents and he sent the McColloch to
stop this movement, but when the cut
ter found the Abby in BatanZaS 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
to Manila. This affair could not be
dignified with the name of a naval en-
gagement and Admiral Dewey in re-
porting the seizure to the navy depart
ment made little of it.
1t is just possible that there have
been some similar incidents, not deem
ed worthy of report, in the islands of
Cebu or Panay, as it has been reported
that some inSurgent vessels have been
carrying arms to spread the insurrec-
tiOn to those islands, and Dewey would
have repressed them; but the re-
ports to the navy department show
that it is absurd to speak of an insur-
gent navy seriously, for the entire
force consists Of a few SchOOners, and
e.+0o oil
put together not being a match for the
least of the vessels under Dewey S
command
The explanation of the admiral's in
reference 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.
1t is said there that it is not sur
prising that the Spanish cabinet is try
ing to make much of any incident that
can be twisted into a demonstration
of actual hostiities between the Occu-
pying American forces in the Philip
pines and the insurgents, for that
would make to sustain the contention
they are sure to put forward when the
Philippines come under consideration
by the Paris commission that the Unit
ed States forces have not been able
to take possession of territory outside
of Manila proper. Under the rules of
international law such point would
be entitled to serious consideration in
determining what disposition should be
made of the territory.
REPORT OF THE WAINWRIGHT
BOARD.
The report of the Wainwright board.
convened for the purpose of determin-
ing the positions and courses of the
ships engaged in the action at Santa
go, July 3rd, was made public today
The report is accompanied by chart
showing the positions of the ships at
seven different times. The first part
of the report gives the time of day al
which the Spanish vessels left the har-
Dor and also when they were destroy
ed. The portion of the report dealing
with the positions of the ships is as
follows:
Position 1.-9:35 a. m. When the
Maria Teresa came out of the harbol
the New York was nine miles east OF
Morro, accompanied by the Hist ano
the Ericsson. The Brooklyn was three
miles southwest of Morro, being two
and two-tenths miles from the shore
a the mouth of the harbor. The Tex
as was three-tenths of a mile east o1
the Brooklyn. The Iowa one and one
tenth miles south of the Brooklyn ano
the Oregon a half mile east of the
Iowa, the Iowa being three miles di'
rectly south of MORO. The Indiana
was two and 'two-tenths miles south
west of MORO and the Gloucester one
one half mile almost directly nortf
of the Indiana and a mile and four.
tenths from Morro.
Position No. $3.50 a. m.-When tn,
PIuton came out. all the Spanish yes
sells had come out of the harbOr an(
their positions were: Maria Teres;
two and one-half miles southwest o
MOrrO, the NiZcaya, Colon and Oquen
do. in the order named behind the Te
resa. and from fOur-tenths to half
mile apart. The positions of the Amer
lean vessels were: The New York hat
moved up two and one-tenth mile
westward. The Brooklyn had startet
north, sverved to the northeast an'
toward the mouth of the harbor. an,
was turning east on the swing sh
made to the right and around to tn