The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-02-06
NEWS AT WASHINGTON.

" - " VlNs
The Intelligence of the Battle Pro.
Vokcd by the Insurgents Came Like
ashoc& tothc Administration-Thc
Position of the United States Gov
crnmcnt Explained.
WASHINGTON. D. c.. Feb. 5.-Ad.
miral Dewey to-day cabled the navy de-
partment that hostiitles had begun be-
tween the American arrnx and naval
forces in and about Manila and the
Philippine Insurgents.
The Insurgents, he said, had been the
assressors ard had been repulsed.
The message was as follows:
10 the Secretary OF the Navy. Washington.
INSURGENTS HERE INAUGURAL
TED GENERAL ENGAGEMENT YES
TERDAY, WHICH WAS CONTINUED
TO-DAY, TIE AMERICAN ARMY
AND NAVY IS GENERALLY Sue
CEssFUL. INSURGENTS :. HAVE
BEEN DRIVEN BACK AND OUR
LINE ADVANCED. no CASUALTIES
TO NAVY.
Cs!gned,' DEWEY.
The news came like a shock, for the
administration, though apprIsed that nm
ugly situation prevailed in the Philip
pines. had cluns steadily to a hope that
by tact and patience actual fighting
might be averted, and even those public
men who fel. that hos.llit!es would fol-
10" should the treaty be ratified and the
lhited states attempt 20 occupy the is
lands believed that Agulnaldo would
rot force the fighting when the treaty %
peace "as in lis most critical stages,
some senatorial opponents Of ra.ifica
tloh OF the treaty adhere to tile!r posi-
tion, but the general opinion in Wash
inSton Tonight Ia that the news from
aahi!a insNres the ratification OF the
treaty tomorrow Afternoon.
The news " the beginning OF another
wa; came from Admiral Dewey. No
%9sc haG been received from General
Otis up 10 nish;fall.
Dcwcy's Fortune.
II seems 20 be Dowey's fortune ol-
wlys to be aba to rspor. favorable
news, ard Ike all OF his ,nc5saScs tl,at
have gone before this cablegram told o.
the Success II the American forces IN
the action. 1t wss with great regret.
however. that the administration learn
cd that the Insurgents had forced the Is
sue. 1t had hoped all along that they
could be brought to see the ADVANTAGES
o. placing their trust In the American
people and relying upon the President to
deal justly with them. The aGmln;stro-
ton argued that with the Philpp!ne
commission fairly on the sen en- rou;.
for Manila. bringing with them u,es
sagcs from the President and with the
peace treaty stlll unactel on Il was not
TO he credited that they would refuse To
wait to learn the purposes OF the
American government, but would pre-
clpitatc the long impending conflict,
While this was true the officials here
ana the officers in Manila had not been
bllnd to the threat contained In tbs. sIt,l-
alton there and every preparation has
been made 70: Just what occurred Inst
night. It Is now acknowledged that
fear of an outbreak In Luzon was the
explanation for the much commented
on failure OF General Miller 10 forca n
landing at 1lolo on the Island of Plane
also that the landing OF all troops nj
Manila where was located the centre Of
danger Part OF Millers force, there
fore, was returned to Manila and that
general was left with one regiment OF
regulars and 4 battalion OF artillery.
Just sufficient to take advantage OF any
detection In his front, but not enough to
force his way ashore and hold his own.
Then rather as n formal authorization,
for ne did not need the. instruction,
Dewey was told 10 cooperate fully with
General Otis In any measure the latter
might take. 1t Is believed that IL was
unknown to the insurgents. that some
OF the American warshps were quietly
moved into positions where they per-
fectly commanded the insurgcnt
trenches and defences and could shell
them with effect in case OF an outbreak.
This movement was effected more
than ten days ngo. and the admlnIstra-
ti0n has not selt serious npprehensions
OF General Otis ability at least 20 hold
his own. The American position might
have been greatly strengthened, 1t IS
said, by Il judicious extension OF the
lines In certain directions and also by
taking summary measures TO prevent
the operations OF the Insurgents In
taking lp positions and organizing
forces
President Mckinley took the view
that perhapH under strict construction
Of the terms OF the protocol. which sill
holds good In the absence OF the ratln-
cation OF the trenty. he lacked authority
to extend the field OF occupation Of the
Amcrlcaas. The fact that the insurgents
Themselves have been the first to
break the truce probably releases the
United STATES government from further
obligation In this respect, so that Gem
eral Otis was undncatlonubly warrant
ed. IA the opinion OF the administration
officials. IN extending his lines as Dewey
reports he has donc.
Anomalous Situation.
The sltua'ion Is regarded here nv
rather anomalous from II diplomatic
standpoint. Legally the, FilipInoa are
stiii Syahish subjects, Therefore. if