The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1899-02-09
A Fight With the FiIipinos.

The Details told in Official Dispatches.
| WASHINGTON, Feb. 5-The first offic al
news of the fight at Manila came from
Admiral Dewey in the following cable:
| Manila, Feb. 5-To the Secretary of the
| Navy, Washington:
Insurgents here inagurated general en-
| gagement yesterday night, which was con-
tinued today. The American army and
navy is generally successful. Insurgents
| have been driven back and our line ad-
vanced. No casualties to navy. DEWEY.
| WASHINGTON, Feb. 80. 80 p. m. The
! following telegram, just received by the
chief signal officer, is the first news
received from the army at Manila
Manila Feb 80 Gen. Greely, Chief
| Signal Officer:
Feb 5-Action continues since early
morning, losses quite heavy; everything
| favorable To our arms. Thompson.
Col. Thompsonis is the chief signal officer
on the staff OF Gen Otis.
| WASHINGTON, Feb 6-12 10 a. m.-The
| following dispatch from Gen. Otis has
| just been made public:
Manila. Feb. 5-To Adiutant General:
Insurgents in large force opened attack
on our outer lines at s. 10 last evening; re-
newed attack several times during night;
at o clock this morning entire line en-
| gagged; all attacks repulsed at daybreak
| advanced against insurgents and have
driven them beyond the lines they former
| ly occupied, capturing several villages and
| their defense works. lnsurgent loss in
dead and Wounded large. Our own casual
ties thus far estimated at 175, very few
| fatal. Troops enthusiastic and acting
fearlessly.
! Navy did splendid execution or flanks
of enemy; city held in check and absolute
quiet prevails; Insurgents have secured
| good many Mauser rifles, a few field
pieces and quick-tiring guns, with ammu-
milton, during last month. OTIS.
WHAT LONDON THINKS.
LONDON, Feb. 6, 1899. The Times.
commenting editorially upon the dis
patches from Manila. says:
THE insurgent attack was apparently
prem editated, and the presumption is
| strong that Aguinaldo is responsible for
the bloodshod. The really important
point is whether the attack is or is not the
beginning of an organized attempt to fling
off American rule. We imagine the news
will strengthen the determination of
| America to take up the white man S
burden {
o f folly The insurgents have not only court
ed defeat, but have regularized the posi-
ton of the Americans in the archipelago,
and have prob bly, obtained for President
Mckl nley free hand in the expansion
policy, which the Senate has seemed re-
luctant to give him.
The Standard says: ''The pauci ty of
news and the boldness of the rebels in
their attack upon Manila are ominous;
and it is not unlikely that the Americans
will have series # toilsome campaigns
over the scattered islands.
The Daily News says; 1.-The fact that
American blood has been shed will secure
we imagine, the ipmt diate ratification of
the peace treaty. The Filipinos have
shown their unfitness for self government
at the very outset by rash and untime-
ly manifestation. "
OPINION OF DIPLOMATIC OFFICIALS.
| WAsHINGToN, Feb. 5-At the various
foreign embassies and legations the news
OF an outbreak at Manila aroused the keen
est interest, and it was discussed III ali its
international bearings.
At the British, French and other emDas-
sizes most directly interested no official
| word had been received. and the press ad-
vices were being relied on for information.
/
officials that very grave situation was
presented In the main, however, the
+ foreign opinion was optimistic as to the
ability of the United States to successfully
! cope with this iEsuuectiou, although one
eminent diplomatic official regarded it as
fOreshadowing a series of colonial CON
tiicts.
/ AS to its international bearings, lead
ing member of the diplomatic corps said
the outbreak made two things quite clear;
namely, that no foreign power could or
would intervene or exert any influence in
the Philippines; and second, that foreign
governments would now recognize in this
act of the Fllipinos that the United States
was justified in using strong repressive
! measures.
SO long as the Flipinos remained in a
passive attitude of resistance it was
pointed out there might be some jusllfi
cation for foreign sympathy with them !;
but if this advanced to an aggressive at
titude and tie killing of American sol
ders, this official expressed the belief
that foreign governments would take
the view always taken under such Cir
| cumstances, that an onslaught leading to
| the killing of the citizens of a country
called for the most summary redress
| The idea that the Filipinus could hope for
recognition from any foreign power was
dismissed
E 1t is SAID that the present force of for
eign warships at or near Manila dre two
British, one German and one French.
These could be quickly augmented, how
ever, from the large sqnadrons which the
several powers main 'in in Asiatc waters,
but the officials d Aot apprehend there
will be any occasion for extending pro-
lection to foreign residents. the only use
| to which these vessels could be put.
Such protection, it is said wnuld be given
| only as a last resort, as il might be con
strued by this country as an assertion of
it's inability to maintain order and protect
persons and property.
The Treaty Ratified.
WAsHINGToN, Feb. 6.-The treaty of