Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1899-02-25

dispatches have been received at the navy
department:
MANILA, Feb 24-For political reasons
the Oregon should be sent here at once.
DEWEY"
MANILA, Feb. 24.-Yorktown arrived.
Charlestown and Petrol cruising around
the Philippine islands. Affairs more quiet.
DEWEY"
The cablegram from Admiral Dewey
asking for the Oregon was received with
surprise by the officials here. No one
knew, or at least no one would admit, that
he knew the nature of the political reasons
which the admiral says demand the i'm
mediate presence of the peerless battle.
ship. The cablegram was taken to the
cabinet board and finally discussed there.
The admiral. it is said, possibly feels that
the moral effect of the presence Of the big
ship upon the insurgents themselves, and
particularly on that large element among
the Fflipinos that is believed to be re-
strained with difficulty from joining for
tunes with Aguinaldo. with whom their
sympathies lie. wound be good. But there
) is an underlying doubt whether or not the
admiral may not be keenly sighting a
gathering cloud in the East, and is looking
to the prevention of any possible interven-
tion or interference by European powers
in the struggle now in progress in the
nefghburiiood of Manila.
1t Is believed that. in the big fires. much
property of foreign residents and business
concerns was destroyed. That these fires
were caused by the insurgents cannot be
denied, and it may be that some of the
foreign naval commanders in the East are
disposed to seize upon the pretext that
their interests demand protection which
we cannot afford them, to make a landing
or do something obnoxious to the United
States and likely to encourage the insurg.
ents. With such a strong naval force as
would be afforded by the reinforcement
of Dewey's fleet by the Oregon, there could
not be any sound reason. nor even q plaus.
fble reason, for any such action on the
part OF third parties.
The cabinet gave some attention to
Dewey's cablegram relative to the political
Importance of sending the Oregon at once
10 Manila The conclusion reached was
that TOO much Importance should not be
attached to 1t: that Dewey wants the big
ship to influence the Filipinos through fear.
Secretary Long said, when asked for an
explanation of the reference to political
reasons In the dispatch: Il am sure that
~ mas no International significance. You
may state that positively. Probably he
wants fine ship there. as the American
commissioners are about due and It viii,
give weight to the American Representa-.
lions"
II Is suggested from other naval sources
that Dewey wants the Oregon to reIease
number Of the smaller ships of the feet
lor Other work He has been planning a
tour among the other Islands than Iuzon
with the purpose of establishing the an.
thority OF the United States among, them
II is also necessary to establish a close
piocKade to prevent the insurgents from
Ieceiping supplies. These projects require
tor their execution number of ships.
> Dewey cannot spare them at present but
when the Oregon gets into Manila har-
Dor she will be sufficiently formidable to
ensure the protection of the entire har.
Dor. In conjunction with the two big
ooubie-turreted monitors, Monteroy and
Monadnock. The remainder of the fleet
then will be free to carry out the projects
While these three armored ships are lying
In Manila bay. there is no fear that any
force can enter or pass out without htelr
= consent.
1t Is said here that up to this moment
there has been no intlmation of a purpose
on the part of any foreign government to
hle any claims for pecuniary remuneration
Tor the property Of their citizens destroy.
ed In the fires and fighting at either Ma.
Mia or noilo.
Just what disposition would be made oi
any such claims is not indicated here
though there.is ground for the belief that
II 1t can be shown that our military and
naval officers practieed the precaution re.
quired by international law in the matter
of giving due notice to foreigners of any
action in the way of bombardment thai
might injure their property, and otherwise
did everything that could be. done to pro-
tect the foreign interests equally with oui