The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-09-20

ceded from the arrogant attitude assumed
by him just before General Merritt left
Manila for Paris While there is little
in the official records that tends to con-
tradict what the insurgent chief says,
still it must be remembered that both
General Otis and Admiral Dewey in cable
messages to Washington have pointed out
threatening complications arising from the
attitude of the insurgents. The last adj
vices received at the war department
from Manila came from General Otis Fri
day last and while the officer referred to
the agitation exhibited by the insurgents,
he took care to state that he mad troops
enough, in his opinion, to meet any emer-
gency. With this statement from the
commanding general on the scene of act
witty fresh in mind, the war department S
explanation for the dispatch of fresh re-
Inducements for the American army at
Manila, namely, that it is but part of a
movement originally planned appears to
warrant further inquiry. The navy de-
partment is rushing preparations for the
start of the big battleships Oregon and
Iowa to Honolulu and orders have been
sent to the New York navy yard 10 have
the mechanics work overtime on these
ships The purpose is to have them start
on their long voyage by the end of the
present month and. according to the de-
partment's calculations, they should ar
rive at their destination by the end of
January. There is little effort now made
to conceal the fact that the department
Will have the ships met at Honolulu by
a dispatch boat with orders to turn their
prows westward to Manila
Battleships of this character are not
needed to keep the Filipino insurgents in
order and their assembling at Manila in
conjunction with the dispatch of heavy
Ian dforces cannot but be regarded as sig
nifcant. In well informed circles here il
is said that the real purpose of the pres
ident in making these preparations is 10
insure the peace commissioners against
any interference in their work of dispos-
ing of the future of the Philippines ac-
cording to their best judgment. Not hav-
ing disclosed mis- plans respecting the
Islands outside of Luzon, the seat of the
capital of the group, the president still
reserves for the American commissioners
the right to dispose of the remainder of
the islands as they may deem best A
long line of curious incidents, to which
one OF the great European powers has
been party, has beyond question done
much to cause a feeling of uneasiness
on the part of the administration, as
tending to show a purpose to interfere in
our free action in the Philippines, and
this mas been only slightly diminished by
w nh lai Of
10 PURPOSE because the incidents con-
tinue quietly and in manner calculated
to avoid attracting attention. Such, for
instance. is the gathering of naval YES
sells to the south of the Philippine group.
the only explanation Of which, coming
from native sources, it strue, but still
bearing marks of genuineness, is pur-
pose Of acquiring, either by seizure or by
some secret pact with the Spanish gov
eminent the important island of Pala-
wan. This particular island forms one
side of the gateway through which must
pass all of the extensive commerce that
flows between Australia, Micronesia and
southern China The passage is narrow
and if the islands of the Philippine group
are TO be retained, outside of Luzon,
this island of Palawan must be kept.
as forming one side of the gateway. 1t
is gathered that it is the purpose OF the
president, therefore, TO prevent the alien
alton by Spain. OF any Of the Philippine
group. and that these preparations. naval
as well as military. are but steps toward
the execution Of his purpose.
With the addition 10 mis- feet Of two
battieships, Admiral Dewey VIII have
force only second to that of Great Brit
ain, in eastern waters. while on shore
General Otis viii have a more numerous
army than any European power save Rus
STA
What has been. VIII be, Hoods Sarsapa-