Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-02-24
REBELS STILL ACTIVE
Their Sharpshooters Keep Up Lively
Skirmish About Caloocan.
FIRE DIRECTED AT OUR BATTERIES
Quite Marked Improvements Noted
in Their Workmanship.
ARRIVAL OF 2OTH INFANTRY

larly active about Caloocan all day. Spe-
cial attention was paid TO the three-gun
battery near the railroad, and the improve
ment OF the rebel craftsmanship was very
noticeable. The rebels fired volleys at the
battery, their bullets frequently skimming
the tops of the sand bags. A lieutenant of
the Goth Kansas Volunteers and three other
men were slightly wounded. A man was
killed in the trenches today.
The rebel battery has not been used since
a shell from the United States double
turreted Monadnock exploded over yester-
day. The enemy's fire was so hot during
the night in the vicinity of the Higgins
house that the headquarters was removed
TO a church 400 yards inside the line.
A few small fires have destroyed native
shaeks in various parts Of the city.
Quiet in the City Last Night.
Owing to the wholesale arrests of all sus-
pected Filipinos yesterday and the clear
ance of the streets at O'Clock last night
the threatened renewal of the scenes of the
previous night did not occur. With the ex-
ception of a few shots fired in the-neighbor-
hood of the penitentiary, the city was as
quiet as possible
outside Manila the rebels were very
active Near Caloocan the brigade COM
manded by Gen. Harrison Gray Otis had
several lively skirmishes with the rebels
But at daylight the enemy was driven
back with severe loss.
The feeling in this city is much improved
today, and business generally has been re-
sumed. Excellent order is maintained by
Gen. Hughes police force, which is univer-
sally commended.
Arrival of the Goth Infantry.
Inc United states transport Scandal with
the Goth Infantry on board. has arrived
here from San Francisco. which port she
left Oh January 26
All duties on imports of fresh fruits
vegetables and meats have been tenn
porarily suspended.
orders have been issued to enforce the
provisional customs tariff at Iloilo, and the
following officers have been appointed TO
conduct the civil affairs of uoilo: Major
Theodore Stomberg, treasurer; CAPTAIN 7
l. Evans, collector of customs; Ensign 7,
o Everhart port captain; E. C. Hatch,
18TH Infantry. collector of revenue.
Dewey Wants the Oregon,
The following dispatches have been re-
ceived at the Navy Department:
MANILA. February "a
For political reasons the Oregon shou1d
be sent here at once
"(Signed) DEUE,,
MANILA, February q.
Yorktown arrived. Charleston and Pet
rel cruising Ground the Philippine Islands
Affairs more quiet.
"(Signed) DEWEY
SAN FRANCISCO. February %.
The Oregon arrived at HiIo February 4
and at Honolulu February s. Iris and scin-
dia arrived on the 18th.
"(Signed) CIEEE>-,,
Mr.. Giffen is dispatch agent of the de-
Dartment.
Gen. Otis Reports.
That Gen. Otis is enforcing order with .
vigorous hand is shown by the following
dispatch sent by him to the War Depart7
ment:
MANILA. February "a. 1890
Ad1utant General, Washington:
Scandia arrived last night On NIGHTS
tWenty-hrst and second and yester,Iav
morning lhsurgent troops gained access to
outskirts of city behind our lines man, i
hluihs and about one thousand entrenchcd
themselves. Completely routed vesterda,,
with loss of killed and wounded about 5n1
ana 2OO prisoners: confidence restored. b,,sf-
ieSS progressing OTIS"
Dewey's Cablegram Caused Surnr,
Admiral Dewey's request for the Oregon
was received with surprise by the officials
mere NO one knew, or at least would ad
mt mat they knew, the nature of the Dolit-
-'t! reasons which the admiral SAYS de-
n1and the immediate presence of the neer-
less battle ship The cablegranl was taken
TO the cabinet board and fully discussed
there Possibly the admiral feels that the
moral erect OF the presence Of the big ship
upon the Insurgents themselves, and par
ticularly <pon that large element M,
the -F1lipinos that is believed to be re-
strained with difficulty from Joining for
tunes with Aguinaldo with whom their
sympathies lie, would be good
But there Is an underlying doubt whether
or not the admiral Is not keenly sighting a
gathering cloud in the east and is looking
to the prevention of any possible interyen
ten or interference by European powers in
the struggle now in progress in the neigh
borhood of Manila. 1t is believed that in
the big fires in that town much property
OF foreign residents and business concerns
was destroyed. That these fires were caused
by the insurgents is not denied and it may
De that some of the foreign naval COM
manders IN the east are disposed to seize
upon the pretext that their interests de-
Hndnd projection which we cannot afford
thein' TO make landing or do something
obnoxious to the United States and likely
10 encourage the insurgents With such
strohs naval force as would be afforded
oS the Sforcement of Dewey's fleet by
the oregon there could not be any sound
reason, nor even a plausible reason. for
any such aston on the part of third parties.
1t Is said here that up to this moment
there has been no intimation of a purpose
on the part Of Any foreign government to
file any claims for pecuniary remuneration
for the property of their citizens DESTROYED
In The fires and fighting at either Manila or
lloiio Just what disposition would be made
OF any such claims is not indicated here,
though there is ground for the belief thai
If It can be shown that our military and
naval officers practiced the precautions re-
quired by international law IN the matter
Of giving due notice to foreigners of snv
action in the way Of bombart.ment that
might injure their property and otherwise
did everything that could be done to pro-
teet the foreign interests equally with our
own, then there is little foundation for a
sound claim for damages.
The Oregon arrived al Honolulu on the