The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1899-02-06
THE ADMINISTRATIONS SHOCKED.
Had Hoped to Avoid Hostilitics but Was
Well Prepared.


Washington, Feb. 5.-The news of the
Filipinos' action in attacking the Amer
leans came like a shock to the admin
'istration for, thought appraised that an
ugly situation prevailed in the Philip
pines, it had clung steadily to q hope
that by tact and patience actual fight
ing might be averted and even those
public men who felt that hostilities
would follow should the treaty be rati-
fled and the United States attempt to
occupy the islands, believing that
Aguinaldo would not force the fighting
when the treaty of peace was in its
most critical stage.
Dewey's Good Fortune.
The news of the beginning of another
war came from Admiral Dewey. 1t
seems to be Dewey's fortune always to
be able to report favorable news and
like all of his messages that have gone
before this cablegram, told of the sue
cess of the American forces in the ac-
ton. 1t was with great regret, how
ever, that the administration learned
that the insurgents had forced the is
sue. 1t had hoped all along that they
could be brought to see the advantages
of placing their trust in the American
people and relying upon the president
to deal justly with them The admits
tration argued that with the Philippine
commission fairly on the sea en- route
for Manila, bringing with them mes
sages from the president and with the
peace treaty still unacted on it was not
!. I,o hot t,af n
wait to learn the purposes of the
American government, but would preci-
pitate the long impending conflict.
Prepared for an Attack.
While this was true the officials here
and the officers in Manila had not been
blind to the threatening situation, and
every preparation had been made for
Just what occurred last night. 1t is
now acknowledged that fear of an out
break in Luzon was the explanation of
the failure of General Miller to force
landing at Iloilo on the island of Panay.
General Otis felt that he wanted all the
troops at Manila, where was located the
center of danger Part of Miller's force,
was returned to Manila and
that general was left with one regi-
ment of regulars and battalion Of ar
tillery, just sufficient to take advantage
of any detection In his front. but not
to force his way ashore and
hold his own.
Dewey Told to Cooperate.
Then rather as formal authorization
for he did not need the instruction,
Dewey was told to cooperate fully with
General Otis in any measures the latter
might take. 1t is believed that it was
unknown to the insurgents that some of
the American warzhips We're quietly
moved into positions where they per-
fectly commanded the insurgent trench
IS and defences and could shell them
With effect in case of an outbreak. This |
was effected more than ten |
lays ago and the administration has not |
'elt serious apprehension of General |
Otis' ability at least to hold his own.
The American position might have been
greatly strengthened, it is said, by a
udicious extension of the lines in GER
ain directions and also by taking sum-
nary measures to prevent the opera
ions of the insurgents in taking up po-
itions and organizing forces.
Right to Extend American Lines.
President Mckinley took the view
hat perhaps under a strict construction
# the terms of the protocol, which still
lolds good in the absence Of the ratifi-
ation of the treaty, he lacked authority
o extend the field of occupation of the
Americans The fact that the insur-
gents themselves have been the first to
)reak the truce probably releases the
United States government from further
obligation in this respect, so that Cen
,ral Otis was unquestionably warranted,
n the opinion of the administration Of
icials, in extending his line as Dewey
eports ne has done. The situation is
egarded here as rather anamalous from
diplomatic standpoint. Legally the
Tilipinos are still Spanish subjects.
therefore. if hostile operations continue
outside of the limits Of Manila as laid
own in the protocol it will amount to
resumption of the war with Spain, at
east technically
Flaw In Dewey's Dispatch.
Officials noted one little flaw in
)ewey's dispatch, in that he spoke of
he American army and navy as gen
rally successful conveying just the
(COnfip1ad on caoonl DoeroN ls