Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-02-06
THE NEWS FROM DEWEY.

Washington, Feb. 5.-Admiral Dewey,
today. cabled the navy department that
hostilitieS had begun between the
American army and navy forces in ana
about Manila. and the Philippine in
surgents. The insurgents, he said. had
been the agressors and had been re-
pulsed. The message follows:
Manila, Feb s.
To the Secretary of the Navy, Wash
ington:
Insurgents here inaugurated general
engagement here. yesterday night.
which was continued, today. The
American army and navy is generally
successful. Insurgents have been driv-
en- back and our line advanced. No
casualties to navy.
tSigned) DEWEY.
The news came like a shock, for
the administration though appraised
that an ugly situation prevailed in the
Philippines, had chung steadily to {.
hope that by tact and patience actual
fighting might be avoided and even
these public men who felt that HOSTILE
ties would follow should the treaty be
ratified and the United States attempt
to occupy the islands, believed that
Aguinaldo would not force the fighting
when the treaty of peace was in its
most critical stage. Some senatorial
opponents of the ratification of the
treaty adhere to their position but the
general opinion in Washington tonight
is that the news from Manila inSures
the ratification of the treaty, tomorrow
afternoon.
The news of the beginning of another
war came from Admiral Dewey. No
word had been received from Gen.
Cts up to nightfall. 1t seems to be
Dewey's fortune always TO be able to
report favorable news and like all Of
his messages that have gone before this
cablegram told of the success of the
American forces in the action. 1t was
with great regret, however, that the
administration learned that the insur-
gents had forced the issue.
1t had hoped all along that they could
be brought to see the advantage of
placing their trust with the American
people and relying upon the President
to deal justly with them. The admin
istration argued that with the, Philip
;e.e,;a Fat, .lx coo on
route for Manila. bringing with them
messages from the President and with
the peace treaty still Enacted on. it
was not to be credited that they would
refuse to wait and learn the purposes
of the American government but would
precipitate the long impending conflict.
While this was true the officials here
and the officers in Manila had not been
blind to the threat contained in the sit
uation there and every preparation ha
been made for just what occurred, last
night.
1t is now acknowledged that fear of
an outbreak in LuZon was the cxplana-
ton for the much commented on fail
ure of Gen. Miller to force landing at
Hoilo on the island of Panay. Otis
felt that he wanted all the troops at
Manila where was located the centre
of danger. Parts Of Gen. Miller's
force, therefore, was returned to Ma
Mia and the general was left with one
regiment of regulars and battalion OF
artillery just sufficient to take advan-
tage of any detection in his front, but
not enough to force his way ashore and
hold his own.
Then rather formal authorization
for he did not need the instruction,
Admiral Dewey was told to Cooperate
fully with Gen. Otis in any measures
the latter might take. 1t is believed
that it was unknown to the insurgents
that some OF the American warships
were quietly moved in positions where
they perfectly commanded the insur-
gent trenches and defences and could
shell them with effect in case OF an
outbreak. The movement was erected
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