The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-02-07
ORDERS TO TAKE 1Lo11o.
Otis and Dewey Directed to Push
Aguinaldo Hard.

New York, Feb IA dispatch to the
Herald from Washington says:
Instructions have been sent to Major
General Otis today directing him to
communicate to the insurgents the in
formation that the treaty of Paris had
been ratified by the senate and to con-
tinue his operations against them, SO
as to promptly crush the revolt against
American sovereignty.
The cruiser Boston which left Manila
on Monday for Iloilo, ostensibly to re-
lieve the Baltimore, carries with her in
structions to Brigadier General Miller
to at once occupy Iloilo with or without
consent of the natives there.
In adopting such a vigorous policy
against the insurgents the president is
actuated by desire to bring to an end
with all dispatch the rebellious move
ment Aguinaldo has started against
this government. 1t was determined
upon as the result of the conference at
the White House last night and at a
further conference in the executive
mansion today which was participated
in by the President, Secretary Alger
and Secretary Long.
At this conference instructions to
General Otis and Rear Admiral Dewey
were prepared along the lines indicated
These officers were directed to cooper
ate in the campaign and the president
assured them of his confidence in their
ability and discretion.
ALL LEFT TO OTIS.
Approaching the impOssibility of OPP
Grating a campaign from Washington,
General Otis has been notified that the
president leaves in his hands the con-
duct of the war, but he is directed to
act vigorously and to bring Aguinaldo
and his followers to subsection with all
possible dispatch
1t is the confident belief of the presf-
dent that as soon as Aguinaldo learns
of the ratification of the treaty he will
appreciate the futility of a conflict with
the United States and will be willing to
make terms of surrender. It is assumed
that Agoncillo who is in Montreal, has
taken measures to inform Aguinaldo of
the action of the senate, but General
Otis will be ahead of him and will send
the information into the inSurgent lines
without delay. Secretary Long for the
information of Rear Admiral Dewey,
cabled to that official the simple mes
sage, Treaty ratified"
NO QUARTER.
1t is possible, of course, that Aguin-
aldo may continue fighting, in which
event he will be shown no quarter but
will be relentlessly pursued until he is
forced to surrender.
President Mckinley does not intend
to show any vacillation in this matter.
The policy to be put into effect is the
same as that adopted Immediately up
on the outbreak of the war with Spain
to concentrate every effort to break
down the power of the enemy IN the
quickest possible time.
No apprehension is felt as to the re-
suit of the attack on IlOilo, General
Miller has at his disposal about three
thousand men and he will be aided in
his operations by the cruisers Baltimore
and Boston, and the gunboatS Petrol
and Concord. There are said to be
about 10000 natives defending the town
but they are badly armed and it is not
believed any great difficulty will be ex-
perienced in driving them out.
AS to the future policy of the admin
istration in the Philippines the presl-
dent has determined to take no action
"a SChUrInan
mission is received.
Secretary Alger announced that no
action will be taken looking to the dis
patch of reinfOrcementS to Manila until
after the cabinet meeting tomorrow.
Beyond advising the different vessels
of the engagement with the insurgents
and of the necessity of being prepared
in case they should be needed for ser
vice in the far east, Secretary Long
has done nothing which will result in
the assignment of additional vessels to
Rear Admiral Dewey's command.
DEWEY IS ALL RIGHT.
1t was said that Rear Admiral
Dewey. before the outbreak of the in
surgents, cabled to Secretary Long that
in his opinion he would have Suff1-
cient force, when all the vessels ordered
to join him arrived, to cope with the
insurgents. 1t is understood, however,
that the department has practically de-
termined to hasten the reconstruction
of the former Spanish gunbOatS now at
Hong Kong in order that they may be
ready for service by the latter part Of
the spring.
Major Bird, assistant quartermaster
general, who has charge of transporta-
ton, has been making arrangements
during the day for the impressment of
steamers i'll case the department re-
quires them to carry troops to General
Otis.
The navy department has decided to
send a cargo of ammunition by the Gel
tic, which will leave San Francisco soon.
1.-The Asiatic squadron" said Captain
Charles O'Neil, chief of the bureau of
ordnance, has oceans of ammunition.
Every naval steamer that has gone out
to Manila had on board a large guam
tity of powder and shell and 1 really
don't see what the admiral will do with
it unless he puts it in a magazine at
Cavite.'
Major General Shaler, acting chief of
the bureau of ordnance, war depart
ment, said that General Otis men
have about five million cartridges and
plenty of ammunition for their siege,
field and machine guns. It is proposed
to ship additional supply by steamer.
Practically all of the ammunition fur
nished the ships and troops is smoke
less.