The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-01-25
Manila, and Not I|oNo, Now Regarded as
the Principal Danger Point
POLICY OF AMERICAN COMMANDER
VIII Be 10 Avoid Clash II Possible II Battle Is
Forced There Is no Doubt as 10 What
Outcome viii Be.

Washington. Jan. s5--The advice,
from Manila. which have reached the
war department, are far from reassur-
Ing. II Ia understood that General Otis
reports an expectation on his part that
the insurgents are about 10 force an
issue. and IL this should be SO the result
cannot be foreseen. Manila itself. and
not lloilc, as might be supposed, is re-
garded as the danger point Just now.
While the instructions 10 General Otis
have been TO avoid any hostile clash with
the natives. so far as that plan is con-
sistent with the maintenance OF his posi-
ton. II IL realized here that il is within
the power Of any excited or intoxicated
person TO preclpitate a battle between
the two opposing forces. For Ii must be
understood that there is nothing in Gen
eral OTIS instructions 10 prevent him
from most vigorously defending himself
and the interests confided 10 his charge.
General Otis is 80 sure OF his ground
that officials here feel no doubt as to the
outcome OF hostile collision between the
Americans and insurgent forces under
Aguinaldo. particularly as General Otis
would have the enormous advantage of
the full cooperation OF the American
fleet under Dewey
But il is particularly desirable that
even battle ending In victory be avoid
ed just now, for the president has by no
means surrendered his conviction that
the misguided Filipinos can be brought
TO an understanding OF the real objects
or the United States and peacefully ac-
cent the condition aNttgI,t 10 ha f,,, ,,1~.l
Yesterdays dispatches from Manila,
via Hong Kong, say that the Filipinos OF
Caloocan and Geganlangin, mistaking
salutes exchanged between British and
German-warships on Jan. IS, moved 5000
men to the front I'm order OF battle. COW
ering the adjacent country; but they did
not attack the American lines.
Reports from the interior Indicate that
Aguinaldo's authority is now generally
recognized. Every availa BILE male is be-
Ing recruited and arms depots are being
established at San Bernandino. Union.
Trinidad and other large towns. The
surrounding country Is being levied on
for supplies, and the Filipino troops are
living on the fat of the land. while the
native villagers are compelled to subsist
on rice.
There is some friction between the
Filipino civil and military authorities.
but they are united on the question of
independence
1t is estimated that there are fully
10000 Fflipinos under arms. and il is
said that there are nearly so Maxim guns
at Malolos, some Of them having been
recently acquired.
The Filipino military authorities are
convinced, they say that the Americans
will be unable TO work effectively out
eide Of Manila In the event OF hostilities,
hence they feel confidence In the future.
Many of the Filipino officers complain
OF alleged discourteous treatment upon
the part OF Americans at Manila.
Senior Lopez secretary 20 Agoncillo,
the Washington representative of Ag-
uinaldo. called at the state department
at 1 o'clock yesterday afternoon, and
lodged with the chief clerk communica-
tons. which, according 10 the common
expectation, marked the critical stage i
In the Philippine question.
This Is the third attempt made by the
Filipino representative to secure official
recognition from the United States gov
ernment. Secretary Hay was. at the
time the communication was presented.
attending meeting OF the cabinet at the
White House. so that all that Chief Clerk
Mlchaels could do under the circum-
stances was TO receive the paper,as he
would any other handed in TO him.