Washington sentinel., 1899-10-07
Not "Totlng Fair"

I journal generally recognized
I the leading Republican organ il
the East" is not "Ioting tar" will
the Administration Recently /
presented facts to show that in re
firing Commiss ry-General Eagar
! on full pay the President had pro
vided most handsomely for a mar
who has a comfortable fortune
The Presidents liberalitY, it should
be explained, had been previously
justified upon the ground that
Eagan was a poor man. Having
let this embarrassing secret out of
the bag, the Tribune now turns its
attention to matter about which
the Administration is very sensi-
tive-namely, the qualifications OF
Major General Otis for the COM
mand in the Philippines. The
Irt6ane'S disclosures emanate, it is
stated, from lone OF the most in
tellipent and we'll known naval Of
ficers OF high rank on the Asiatic
Station"
1t has tor a long time been a
mystery how the FIlipinos secured
money, supplies and ammunition,
but, according to this naval officer,
the explanation is very simple.
The foreign mercantile houses in
the chief ports own or control a
great feet OF small steamers and
sailing vessels, All that is requis-
ite for highly lucrative trading is
clearance for the Filipino ports,
where hemp, sugar and tobacco
are stacked up for sale. Small
craft owned by supposedly "friend-
ly natives" obtained clearance
from United States officers for
three or tour open ports and stop
ped at various forbidden harbors
in the round voyage, "some clerk
in the Office of the Captain of the
Port doing a little conve nient
winking at the disparity of elapsed
time" Admiral Dewey finally
ordered his cruisers to disregard
all clearances and stop all trade
with ports not actually Tin posses
sion Of cur forces" This step was
taken upon his own responsibility,
and General Otis dared not resist
the order when inform d OF its
issue, although he resented it.
AS an illustration OF the strained
relations which are alleged to have
existed between Admiral Dewey
and General Otis, the Zyf6HHe'S
naval officer relates the following:
General Otis purchased I3 gun
boats from the Spaniards in the
southern islands and evolved a
scheme to send them out to hunt
smugglers. These vessels were
to have Filipino hremen and deck
hands, native pilots, and were to
be in charge OF non commissioned
army officers and priVates. Ad-
miral Dewey put an end to the
control by the army OF any force
ahoat in an emp latic declaration
to General Otis, as follows: "If
these vessels come out Of the Pasig
river manned as you propose, l will
seize them as a menace to public
safety Ge e'al Otis, it appears,
had no idea OF the necessity Of put
ting fficers on board who could
run the vessels without a native
pilot, or providing a force to ham
die the FIlipinos If they deserted
or we're guilty Of treachery."
The gravest charge made by this
Intelligent and well known naval
officer Of high rank" is that there
are "ominous whispers Of financial
irregularities, but the censor sys-
TEN is all pervading. Washington
should act promptly to prevent de-
moralization." According to this
informant, anybody who can give
a clearance, or procure one, or
manage to slip in the name Of a
closed port-a mere clerical error,
# discovered can have any sum
OF money he chooses to ask. In
one case $40, 900 was offered for
clearance to one port" OF course,
American officers ought to be
proof against temptation, but, &C.
cording to this naval officer, "men
are mortal, even il they are not
Spaniards or friendly natives. IN
less the matter is handled quickly
and sternly and an accounting
called for, there will be an admin.
istratIon installed out here which,
in spots-and in large spots-will
be as scandalous as anything ever
known in Spain"
AS long as the censor kept the
American people in the dark as to
what was happening at Manila,
the Administration could afford to
deny everything" and pursue the