The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-02-28

Military Police Preserve Good Order
I'm the City-Insurgent SharpshoOters
Annoyipg-Meanipg OF Dewey's Re
quest for the Oregon

Annoyipg-Meaningo OF Dewey's Re-
quest for the Oregon
Manila, February 25-4:35 a. NJ
suspected houses, in varous districts,
capturing small bodies of twenty TO
thirty prisoners in each place. This,
and the o'clock ordinance, is effectu-
ally dispelling the fears of the threat
ened outbreak Of the natives, who do
not dare, singly or collectively, to ap-
pear on the streets, after dark. The
feeling in the city has decidedly improv
ed, although the Chinese are still tim
orous.
1t is generally believed that the dis
astrous attempts to attack the city and
destroy property, the Philippines
themselves being the worst sufferers,
will prevent their recurrence, but ev-
cry precaution is being taken to deal
with an emergency if it arises.
The insurance agents refuse to enter
tain any claims on account of Wedes-
General Otis, having guaranteed the
safety of life and property of the in
] habitants of Manila, is responsible for
these claims.
Outside the city the sharpshooters
about Caloocan are very annoying.
Six men belonging to the brigade COM
manded by General Harriso Gray Otis
have been wounded since midnight.
All is quiet elsewhere. The German
first-class cruiser Kaiserin Augusta
has arrived here.
l1:55 a. m.-The steamer Neustra
Senor del Carmen has arrived here,
! bringing the news that the American
flag has been raised over the island of
Cebu, east of the island of Negros.
MEANING OF DEWEY'S REQUEST.
Washington, February 25.-The dis
patch from Admiral Dewey speaking
of the political reasons for sending the
Oregon to Manila at once is still the
subject Of general interest here; but
/, apparently the administration is satis-
fed that it understands exactly what
the admiral meant when he used the
term political reasons" for it was
stated positively at the navy depart
HtuI lOudy ludl HO udu USeu
addressed to the admiral on the SUBJ
ject and that he would not be called
upon for a further explanation. This
, means that the Interpretation placed
upon the phrase by the administration
is exactly that conveyed by Secretary
, Long yesterday; namely, that the big
, ship is regarded as necessary to i'm
press the Philippines, not only on
Luzon, but those on other islands of
the group, with the overwhelming
power of the United States navy, for
it is said at the department. in the
| dense ignorance in which these people
live they can be impressed only by
| personal observation.
The published statement that Ad-
miral Dewey's dispatch on this SUBJ
ject came in open English is an error.
The department received from him two
dispatches yesterday-one relative to
the arrival of the Yorktown, which
was in plain English, and the other
| relative to the Oregon, which was in
navy cipher. 1t was not intended that
this dispatch should have been given
out for publication, but in the haste
| Of preparation of matter to go before
/! the cabinet it escaped close scrutiny
on the part Of Secretary Long and was
permitted to reach the press along
/; with the other current routine dis
! patches.
i Admiral Dewey cabled the navy de-
! partment today that he had sent the
| gunboat Petrol from Manila to Cebu.
1t is the purpose of the admiral to es-
tablish the sovereignty of the United
1 Cfo%ac OF carifo1 nf tho ic1ond
which is a populous town OF $4,000 in
habitants. War department reports
| say the island of Cebu is the most i'm
| portant province of the Vizayas group,
it's area being 1000 square miles and
its population more than SOC, 900. Un-
der the Spanish regime the capital was
city of considerable political import
ance.
The admiral made no mention of
anything save the Petrol in this morn
ings advices, so the officials here are
convinced that nothing of importance
at Manila has happened over night.
In view of the apparent disparity be-
tween Admiral Dewey's report OF the
sailing of the Petrol from Manila for
Cebu and General Otis announcement
that the surrender of that city to the
naval forces, which had taken quiet
possession" further inquiry was
made by the navy department and 1,
was learned that Admiral Dewey had
been misquoted and that what he had
reported was that the Petrol had re-
ceived the surrender Of Cebu.
The war department received the
following:
Manila, February Is. 1899.
"Adjutant General, Washington:
Condition of affairs quiet; pro.
crossing favorably. Anxiety need not
be felt in regard TO the situation. Will
send small body of troops to Cebu
where navy took quiet possession.
GnTTCo