The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-02-25
Filipino Battery silenced by a Shell
Thrown from the Monitor MOnad-
mock Stationed in the Bay.
QUIET RESTORED IN CITY
FEARS OF THE PEOPLE ALLAYED
AND BUSINESS RESUMED.
About 500 Insurgents KILLED and
Wounded and 200 Taken Prisoners
in the Fight Near CaIoocan.

WASHINGTON, Feb. "a. - The following
dispatches have been received at the Navy
Department from Admiral Dewey at Manila:
For political reasons the Oregon should
be sent here at once.
yorktown arrived. Charleston and Petrol
cruising around the Philippine islands. Af-
fairs more quiet"
Mr. Gifen, dispatch agent Of the depart
ment at San Francisco, wired: THE Oregon
arrived at Eilo Feb and at Honolulu Feb.
5. Iris and Scandia arrived on the 12th.'
The cablegram from Admiral Dewey ask
ing for the Oregon was received with sur
prise by the officials here. No one knew, or
at least no one would acknowledge that he
knew, of the political reasons which the adj
miral says demand the immediate presence
of the peerless battle ship. The cablegram
was taken to the Cabinet board and fully
discussed there. 1t is thought Admlr4I
Dewey feels that the moral effect Of to
presence Of the big ship on the insurgents
themselves, and particularly on that large
element among the FIlipinos that is believed
to be restrained with difficulty from Joining
fortunes with Aguinaldo, with whom their
sympathies lie, would be good, but there Is
underlying doubt whether or not the adj
miral may be keenly sighting a gathering
cloud In the East and is looking to the pre-
vention Of any possible intervention or in
terference by European powers in the strug-
gle now in progress in the neighborhood Of
Manila. 1t is believed that in the big fires
much property Of foreign residents and busi-
ness 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 on the pretext that their
interests demand protection, which we cam
not afford them, to make a landing or do
something obnoxious to the United States
and likely to encourage the insurgents. With
such strong naval force as would be af-
forded by the reinforcement Of Dewey's fleet
by the Oregon there could not be any sound
reason, nor even a plausible reason. for any
such action the part Of third parties.
1t is said here that up to this moment
there has been no intimaton Of a purpose
the part Of any foreign government to
file any claims for pecuniary remuneration
for the property Of their citizens destroyed
III the fires and fighting at either Manila oT
of any such claims is not indicated here
though there is ground for the belief that Il
it can be shown that our military and naval
officers practiced the precautions required
by international law in the matter of giving
due notice to foreigners of any action In
the way of bombardment that might iniure
their property and otherwise did everything
that could be done to protect the foreign
interests equally with our own, then there Is
little foundation for a sound claim for dam
ages.
The Oregon arrived at Honolulu on the
5th inst, according to the teegraphic re-
port that came to the Navy Department this
morning. No mention was made of her be-
ing in need of repairs, as Is stated in the
press dispatches. Assuming that the battle
ship really needed ten days repairs, she
should have started away from Honolulu
on her long run to Manila on the 18th inst.
Allowing for the detention on account Of
coaling at Guam or some other point be-
tween Honolulu and Manila 1t Is estimated
that the Oregon will reach Manila about the
Sth or 10th Of March.
were agreeaby surprised this morning to
learn that General Otis, at Manila, had re-
eeved the first Of his reinforcements nearly
six days before they were expected. They
came on the Scandia, which brought half
of the Twentieth Infantry. She sailed from
San Francisco Jan. q, in company with the
Morgan City which has aboard the remains
ing half Of the Twentieth Infartry, and as
both ships were at Honolulu at the same
time the Morgan City also VIII De reported
at Manila within twenty-four hours. unless
she has been detained, which IS not expect
ed The transports Ohio and Senator, with
the Twenty-second Infantry aboard. sailed
from San Francisco only five days later
than the Scandia, so that within week
Otis will have $500 fresh men 70 relieve
those who have been ngnting on me out
The Cabiaet gave some attention 10
Deweys cable message, relative TO the po-
Htical Importance OF sending the Oregon
at once 10 Manila. The conclusion reached
was that too much importance should not
be attached TO IL; that Dewey wants the
big shin to influence the Filiplnos through
fear Secretary Long said, when asked for
an explanation of the reference TO political
reasons in the dispatch: i am sure that
It has no international significance. You
may state that positively. probably he
wants fine ship there, as the American
commissioners are about due and will give
weight TO the American representations.
ii is suggested from other naval sources
that Dewey wants the Oregon to release q
number OF smaller ships OF tae feet for
other work lie has been planning a tonr
arrong the other islands than Iazon. with
the purpose of establishing the authority
Of the United States among them. 1T is
also necessary to establish a close blockade
to prevent the Insurgents from receiving
supplies These projects require for their
execution number of ships. Dewey can-
not snare them az present, but when the
Oregon gets into Manila harbor she will he
sufficiently formidable to insure the pros
tectiou of the entire harbor in conjunction
v-ifh the two big double turreteG monitors,
Monterey and Monadnock rHs remainder
If the fleet then will be free to carry out
The projects While these three armored