Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1899-03-02
WANTS THE OREGON.
Admiral Dewey Asks That the Bat.
tleship Be Seat to Manila.
MUCH SPECULATION As TO REASON.
Csbirgram Received frnm ten. Otis About
the Latest Skirmish-C asnaItiSs In
the Kansas krgin' mt Bitter
Attack Made on Gen. OTIS

Washington, Feb. % The following
dispatch was received at the navy de.
paftment yesterday:
Manila. Fen "A For political reasons the
Oregon should be sent here at once Dewey
The caulegram was received with
surprise by the officials here. No one
knew, or at least would admit, that he
Pnew. the nature OF the political rea-
sons which the admiral says demand
the immediate presence OF the peerless
battleship The cablegram was taken
to the cabinet board and fully dis.
cussed there. The admiral, it is SAID,
possibly feels that the moral effect of
the presence of the big battle.
ship upon the insurgents themselves,
and particularly on that large element
among the Filipinos that is believed to
be restrained with difficulty from
joining fortunes with Agulnaldo, with
whom their sympathes lie, would be
good. But there is an underlying
doubt whether or not the admiral NAV
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 pow.
ers in the struggle now in progress in
the vicinity OF Manila. 1t is believed
that in the big fires much property Of
foreign residents and business con.
Germs 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
port are disposed to seize upon the pre-.
text that their interests demand pro.
lection which we cannot afford the nj,
to make a landing or do something
obnoxious to the United States and
likely to encourage the insurgents.
THE LATEST sKiRMIsn
Washington, Feb. 25.-Gen. Otis ca.
bled the war department as follows
yesterday:
Manila. Feb g4.-Scanda arrived last night
On nights 2lst and 22d and yesterday morning
insurgent troops gained access to outskirts of |
city 'behind our lines Many in hiding and about |
900 intrenched themselves Completely |
routed Yesterday with loss Of killed and wound
ed about 500 and 200 prisoners Our loss very
slight City quiet, confidence restored bust
ness progressing. Otis
Gen. Otis also cabled list of casu.
alties during the reconnaissance near
San Pedro Macati on February 20, those
in the Twentieth Kansas being as fol-
lows; Killed-Company Y, Private
George II. Monroe. Wounded Com.
pany L. First Lieut.. W. A. Callahan,
thigh, slight; l, Private John M, Web.
Der, hand, slight; c, James Riley,
scalp, slight; +, Corporal Herbert
Sands, leg, severe; X, Oscar Mallicoat,
head, serious; l., Private William
Wolf, thigh, severe; Musician Tolandoo
Blaisch, thigh, severe.
vEN0MoUs ATTACK ON AMERICANS.
Hong Kong, Feb. 25.-The Filipino
unta in Hong Kong publishes ven
,mous anti.American TRADE, in part
% the following effect:
Chaos and pandemonium reign ut Manila;
rade Is paralyzed and provisions are ut famine
,rices The American officers are afraid to
% nuthnritu M hp MI rnn snl- /
iers While lighting is in progress both mill
airy and police defy their officers and proceed
o the front to see what they style fun" In
rider to hush the scandal OF wantOn night
'ombardment OF the house OF foreign consul
the name Is not given the American authors
les promptly paid for the damage, hoping to
void publicity The escape Of the consuls
amlly was miraculous
The manifesto alleges that Maj. Gen.
)tis is incapable of filing his posi-
ion and then proceeds in rabid de. ,
lunciation of the American soldiers,
eclaring that their conduct is bring
ng disgrace upon the white race. The
unta says that the premises of Hong |
Kong merchant at Iloilo had been
Dotted by Americans. and that the ,
merchant has lodged heavy claims for ,
lis losses The TRADE concludes with I
he statement: "The reports of the
'oisting Of the American flag by the
atives Of Negros are practical bum
Omhe.'