Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-05-03
Details Of the Manila Fight Received
by Ambassador Cambon.
LATEST OFFICIAL SPANISH ADVICES
Two Vessels Destroyed, Two Sunk
and Others Disabled.
TOPICS AT THE LEGATIONS

The French ambassador. NJ. Jules Cam
bon, has received a dispatch from the for
eign Office at Paris stating that the French
ambassador at Madrid, NJ. Patenotre, has
forwarded official details of the Spanish
reverse at Manila. NJ. Patenotres report
was based on the latest Spanish official adj
vices. 1t states that the Spanish cruisers
Reina Maria Christina and Castillo were
totally destroyed after being set on fire
by bombs from the enemy's (Anerican)
ships Two of the small Spanish ships, the
dispatch states, were sunk in order to
avoid falling into the hands of the enemy.
The other Spanish ships are half destroyed
and have taken refuge in Bakers bay.
The British embassy has received no re-
ports of any character as to Manila, so
that there is no basis for statements that
the State Department has been informed
by British officials here that Manila has
surrendered to Commodore Dewey
Future Status of the Philfppines.
In the absence Of specific advices from
Manila, members Of the diplomatic corps
are discussing with great interest the fu-
ture course of the United States toward
the Philippine Islands. They do not doubt
that the islands will be occupied by the
American forces, if indeed the occupation
las Iol dHeduy OCCuTTSu. Inc only QueS-
ton on that point is said to be the number
OF men Commodore Dewey can spare from
his fleet to make up landing party suffi-
cient to hold Manila and other points when
large garrisons of Spanish troops are there
1. is the future of the Philippines. how
ever, which most interests the foreign au-
thcrties here.
AS to this, a reading diplomatic official
said 1t unfortunate this
that the assertion was made by leading
men here that the Philippines would be
taken and held at least until the war end
ed, when they might be sold to Great Brit
ain or Japan. He pointed out that while
this course might be wise one in due time,
yet its announcement now only served to
awaken European powers at a moment
when 1t was needless and impolitic to ex-
cite resentments In those quarters. There
was no principle of International law he
said, which kept a victorious nation from
enjoying the fruits of warfare by holding
territory gained in battle. Intervention by
the powers of Europe, he pointed out, was
a new procedure quite apart from interna-
ticnal law, and based only upon the
strength of this united action. But, he
added, significantly, united squadrons often
make international law.
Exchange for the Bermudas.
AS to the suggestion that Great Britain
would take the Philippines in exchange for
the Bsrmudas and other British possess
sions near this country, this was not re-
garded as feasible. 1t is pointed out that
the Bermudas and other British West In
dian possessions have far greater pros
pecuve value to the mother country than
the Philippines, owing to the command they
will have of the Nicaraguan canal or other
1Eteroceanic waterway between North and
South America. Such a canal would be u
highway for the British commerce to and
from British India, and 1t is said that the
possession of coaling stations and ports
near the canal are of far more concern
to England than her remote insular pos
sessions in Asiatic waters.
Burden of the Philippines
There has been no suggestion thus far
of Intervention from any foreign source,
although 1t is felt that the occupation Of
the Philippines is more likely to develop
a move In this direction than any other
step thus far taken. diplomatic official
OF long experience in Asiatic countries
pointed out that there were circumstances
connected with the Philippines which would
make their holding by the United States
their population was made up of Malays,
Japanese, Chinese and half-breed Span
iards mixed with the former races making
an incongruous people impossible to assim-
ilate with American institutions The
status Of the people, he said, was far below
those Of Cuba or Hawaii, so that objections
which had been made against assimilating
the Haw aiians and Cubans would be dou-
bly, strong against the people of the Phil
ippines.
Eliminating Tonnage Tax.
The understanding that Congress will
eliminate the tonnage tax from the war
tariff bill gives much satisfaction at the
embassies and legations, particularly those
OF Great Britain, France and Germany.
The ambassadors from all these countries
have received instructions to urge the ex-
treme severity of this tonnage tax upon
British, French and German commerce
coming to American ports. 1t was stated
by one diplomat that in the case of the big
ship, Kaiser Wilhelm der Crosse, the ton
mage tax would amount to SIT 800 per year.
as against So 500 at present. 1t was re-
marked in this connection that it was
rather strange to ask foreign governments
to adopt neutrality DEGREES and at the same
time ask them to share in paying the cost
VI tIle Wdr lIus question, however, has
been removed by the understanding that
the tonnage tax will be eliminated from
the tariff bill.
Japan DEGREES Neutrality.
The japanese minister, Mr.. Hoshi, was
notified by the foreign Office at Toxic last
night that a decree Of neutrality had
been issued, and has so informed the State
Department.
The dispatch does not give the terms of
the decree. 1t serves to close Japanese
ports rather sooner than was expected,
Notice of China's neutrality has not yet
been received, so that Chinas ports remain
open.
Personal Mention.
Miss Annie Rast, graduate Of the pro-
fessional course at Martyr College, left to-
day to fill several engagements in eastern
cftfeS She ia a Southarn ladv Of folo.t