The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1899-02-06
THE NEWS IN WASHINGTON.

Washington, Feb. 6.-Admiral Dewey
yesterday cabled the navy department
that hostilitics had begun between the
American army and naval forces in
and about Manila and the Philippine
insurgents. The insurgents he said.
had been the aggressors and had been
repulsed. The dispatch, dated Sun
day, is as follows:
insurgents here inaugurated gen.
eral engagement yesterday night, which
was continued today. The American
army and navy is generally successful.
Insurgents have been driven back and
our line advanced. No casualties to
navy"
The news came like a shock, for the
administration, though apprised that
an ugly situation prevailed in the
Philippines, had clung steadily to n
horc that by tact and patience actual
fighting might be averted, end even
those public men who felt that hos
tilities would follow should the treaty
be ratified and the United States at
tempt to occupy the island believed
that Asuinaldo would not force the
fighting when the treaty of peace was
in its NEST critical stage. Some sena-
to!lal opponents of ratification of the
treaty adhere to their position, but the
general opinion in Washington is that
the news from Manila insures the rati-
ficati0n of the treaty.
The news Of the beginning Of another
war came from Admiral Dewey. No
word had been received from General
Otis W to that time. 1t seems to be
Deweys fortune always to be, able to
report fay orabe news, and like all of
his messages that have gone before,
this cablc@ram told of the success of
the American forces in the action. Il
was with great regret, however, that
the administration learned that the in
surgents had forced the issue. 1t had
hoped all along that they could be
brought to see the advantages Of plac-
ing their trust in the American people
and relying upon the president to deal
Justly With them. The administration
argued that with the Philippine ccm-
mission fairly On the sea Ell route for
Manila, bringing with them messages
from the president, and with the peace
treaty still unactel on, it was not to
be credited that they would refuse to
wait to learn the purposes of the Amer
lean movement.
While this was true the officials here
and the officers in Manila had not
been blind to the threat contained ia
the situation there, and every prcpara-
ton had been made for just what oc-
cured 1t is now Acknowledged that
fear of an outbreak in LuGnn was the
explanation for the nuCh comnlente
on failure Of General Miller to force a
landing ut Iloilo, on the Island of
Panay; Otis felt that he wanted all Of
the troops at Manila, where was located
the center of danger. Part of Miller's
force, therefore, was returned TO Man
LA, and that general was left with one
regiment Of regulars and a battalion
of artillery, just sufficient TO take ad-
vantage of any detection In his front
but not enough to force his way ashore
and hold his own.
1t Is believed that it was unknown
to the insurgents that some of the
American Warships at Manila were
quietly moved into positions where
they perfectly commanded the insur-
gent trenches and defcnses and could
shell them with effect in case of an
outbreak. This movement was effected
more than ten days ago, and the ad-
mnistra,iun has not felt serious ap-
prehension Of General Otis ability at
least to hold his own. The American
position might have been greatly
strengthened it is said, by iudcious
extension of the lines in certain direc-
tions and also by taking summary
measures 10 prevent the operations Of
the insurgents in taking up positions
and organizing forces. President Nc
Kinley took the view that perhaps un-
der a strict construction of the terms
Of the protocol, which still holds good
III the absence of The ratification Of
the treaty he lacked authority to eX-
tend Tie field Of occupation Of the
Americans. The fact that the insur-
gents themselves have been the first to
brcni. the truce probably releases the
United States government from fur
thrr Obligations in this respect. so that
General Otis was unquestionably war;
ranied. in the opinion Of the admin
iatration officials, in extending his
lines.
ne Sl'uutlbn IS ltiSdIucu lNIe ds
rather anomalous from n diplomatic
standpoint. Legally the Filipinos are
s,ll Spanish subjects. Therefore, If
hostile operations continue outside OF
the limits Of Manila as laid down in
the protocol Il VIII amount to a re-
sumption of the war with Spain, at
least technically.
Officials noted one little flaw in
Dpwcys dispatch. in that he spoke of
the American army and navy as gem
orally successful" conveying just the
least intimation that at some points
the results were not as satisfactory as
Mt others Every confidence. however.
is felt that General Otis Is master Of
the situation.
General Otis has in his command
o1,Gi9 men, and approximately 5000
men are on their way to join him.
Besides his soldiers General Otis has
at his back in Manila bay. commanding
the city, a veritable Rock of Gibraltar
In Deweys fleet. No one here knows
the real strength OF the insurgents op-
posed to General Otis. The accounts of
their numbers are conflicting. and none
of them comes from reliable sources.
Still, the best belief Of the authorities
at the war department Is that they
number about 10000 men. but they are
1ot comparable 10 the American forces
in personnel, discipline or quality of
arms.
Shortly before midnight dispatches
were received at the war department
from General Otis. The last dispatch
was a., follows.
insurgents in large force opened at.
tack ON our cutter lines at s:45 last
evening; renewed attack several times
during night; at 4 o'clock this morn
ing entire llna engaged: all attacks re-
pulsed: at daybreak advanced against