Daily Kennebec journal., 1898-04-29
Our War in the East.

the East" with England. France and
Russia quarreling over the division of
China: now it is 'our war in the East,
involving a naval conflict between the
United States and Spain for the pos
session of the Philippine islands. Our
Pacific squadron, under the able COM
mand of Commodore Dewey. is much
superior TO the naval strength of Spain
in these waters. BY the neutrality
proclamations Commodore Dewey is
cut off from an Asiatic base, and now
that he has left Hong Kong, he has
practically cut himself off from further
instructions from Washington, and
must plan his own campaigns and fight
his own battles under such conditions
as may seem to him best calculated to
produce desired results. Ris objective
point is assumed to be the city of Man
lila, the capital Of the Philippine archi-
pelago, a city of nearly 100000 people
and the seat OF an immense commerce.
1t will not be surprising. therefore, if
those far Pacific waters, where our
fleet is now making an aggressive
movement 1t aims, first, to capture or
destroy the Spanish fleet there and
thus prevent it from injurng our conf
mcrce in the Pacific; and, second Ia
secure the Philippines as a base OF
supplies. and to hold the islands as
factor in bringing Spain to terms. 1t
is moi merely. however, a question of
blocl>ading OF asSaiiing Manila which
Commodore Dewey has to consider.
Through the civil authorities of his
staff-he must enter into negotiation
with the insursent leaders, who in the
Philippine islands, represent to de
gree far greater than in Cuba the
wealth and intelligence of the colony.
With the support which the United
States squadron can afford, it is quite
possible that the Philippine insurgents
will be able to overcome the defences
that the Spanish forces have. hitherto,
successfully raised against them.
The naval force that Spain has in the
far east is small and weak compared
with the vessels that make up the
American squadron. There is on this
account the possibility of winning both
a complete and speedy victory, hut it
will be victory won under conditions
which Will throw great responsibility
upon the commanding officer. and give
to him the possibilities of winning a
deservedly high reputation. The prob
lem in the Philippines is, in many Re-
problem at Cuba. but when the force
that has been organized to meet it is
considered, it can fairly be said that ii
is quite as serious and important as the
attempt we are to make in Cuba.
We have. it is true, free hand in the
Philippines We have not said that We
would drive the Spanish from that
archipelago. and Vet the success Of
Commodore DeWey's efforts Will prob
ably be quite as fatal as Spanish con-
troll in the far east as the loss Of Cuba
will be to her prestige in the West In
dies. 1t is probable that Commodore
Dewey will be called upon to develop n
land form of attack quite as we'll as
gents in the Philippines will be only too
willing to receive the assistance that
we can give them by furnishing them
with officers who have a professional
training in the art of war. The troub-
le with the Philippine insurgents in the
past has been that their bravery has
been greater than their skill. They
have fought. not as the CuhaDS have,
in guerrilla raids, but have undertaken
TO fight pitched battles i'll which many
thousands of men have been engaged.
In these contests their lack of profess
NftRtldi II dilltlS llis iltt'II ~ titlt Stli-
Gus disadvantage; but it is possible
that this want can now bc supplied by
some of the captains and licutcnants
of Commodore Dcwcy's squadron.
There are certainly great opportunities
held out to the men of this fleet, and
"" look to see them make the most of
them. 1t looks very much now as if
the first sea fight of tn" Spanish
American war will be fought very
soon in a far corner of the world. not
50 very far from where the first naval
battle with modern ships was fought in
the Chincsc-Japanese war a few years
ago.
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Secretary of State Day is not yet 80