The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-02-28
WANTS THE OlEl9gjM
Sent to Manila for POlit-
ical Reasons.
new DEVELOPMENT S

Which Cause This Request Unknown
In Washington Various surmise..
NavyDepartmens Omeiais Make Light
OF 1.-THE Oregon To Arrive Abous
March 10th m Scandal Arrived
with Troops-Insurgents Outside Ma
Mia Very Active
Washington, February e4.-General
Otis today cabled the war department
as follows:
Manila, February "a.
Scandal arrived last night. On
nights of 2lst and 22nd and yesterday
morning. insurgent troops gained ac-
cess TO outskirts OF city behind our
ines. Many in hiding and about 1000
~entrenched themselves. Completely
routed yesterday. with loss OF killed and
wounded about 500, and 200 prisoners.
Our loss very slight. City quiet, con-
idence restored, business progressing.
OTIS"
The following dispatches have been
received at the navy department:
Manila, February "a.
For political reasons the Oregon
shoul be sent here at once.
DEWEY"
Manila, February "a.
Yorktown arrived. Charleston and
Petrol cruising around the Philippine
Islands. Affairs more quiet.
DEWEY"
San Francisco, February %.
The Oregon arrived at Hilo Febru-
airy 4th, and at Honolulu February
9TH. Iris and Scandal arrived on the
18th. GIFFEN."
Mr.. Giffen is dispatch agent of the
department.
The cablegram from Admiral Dewey
asking for the oregon was received with
surprise by the officials here. No one
knew, or least admitted that he knew,
the nature Of the political reasons
winch the admiral says demands the
immediate presence Of the peerless bat
tleship.
The cablegram was taken before the
cabinet n fully discussed. The adj
miral, it is said, possibly feels that the
moral effect of the presence of the big
ship upon the insurgents themselves,
n particularly upon that large ele-
ment among the Philippines that lis be-
lleved to be restrained with difficulty
from joining fortunes with Aguinaldo.
with whom their sympathies lie, would
De good; but there is an underlying
doubt whether or not the admiral may
not be keenly sighting a gathering cloud
In the east, and is looking to the pre-
Vent1on of n possible Intervention or
interference by European powers in the
struggle now in progress in the neigh
borhood of Manila.
1t Is believed that in the big fires
much property of foreign residents and
II nv1S1noGG nnnnQrnc mo 14-~yl NJ
these fires were caused by the insur-
gents cannot be denied, and it may be
that some Of the foreign naval COM
manders in the east are disposed to
seize upon the pretext that their in
terests demand protection, which we
cannot AFFORD them, to make a landing,
or DO something obnoxious to the Unit
ed States and likely to encourage the
insurgents.
With such a strong naval force as
| would be afforded by the reinforcement
of Dewey's fleet by the Oregon there
could not be any sound reason, nor ever
I a plausible reason, for any such ac-
ton on the part of the third parties.
1t is said here that up to this moment
there has been no intimation Of a pur-
pose on the part Of any foreign gov
| eminent to file any claims for %pecuniary
remuneration for the property Of their
| citizens destroyed in the fires and fight
tAS oS ~AoAAAA OA AAOiAos JUST "A1dI Ills
position would be made of any such
| claims is not indicated here. There is
! ground for the belief that If 1t can be
shown that our military and laval of
ficers practiced the precautions required
by international law in the matter OF
giving due notice to foreigners of any
action in the a Of bombardmeni
that might injure their property, and
otherwise did everything that could bs
dom to protect the foreign interest.
equally with u own then there Is
little foundation for a sound claim fol
damages.
The Oregon arrived at Honolulu or
the 9Th instant, according to the tele
graphic news that came to the navy
department this morning. No mention
was made of her being in need of re
pairs as has been stated in press dis
patches. Assuming that the battle
ship really needed ten days repairs
she should have started away from
Honolulu on her long run to Manils
N the 18th instant. Allowing for de
tention on account OF coaling at Guam
or some other point between Honolulu,
and Manila it is estimated that tn
Oregon will reach Manila about 10th o
March.
The cabinet gave some attention t
Dewey's cable message relative to tn
political Importance of sending the Or
SoO 0AAA A@ N@R@A
ment reached the conclusion that to
much Importance should not be at
tached to it; that Dewey wants tn
big ship TO influence the Philippine
through fear.
Secretary Long, when asked for a
explanation of the reference to politi
Cal reasons in the dispatch said:
81 am sure hat 1t has no interna
tional significance. You may state tha
positively. Probably he wants a fin
ship there, as the American commits
| sioners are about due and il viii Civ
weight TO the American representative
1t is suggested from other naval source
that Dewey wants the Oregon to re
lease a number Of the smaller ships {
the feet for other work. He has bee
planning a tour among the island
other than Luzon, with the purpose {
establishing the authority Of the Unit
ed States among them. 1t Is also nee
essary TO establish a close blockade
/. prevent the insurgents from receivin
' supplies"
Meanwhile the war department of
Gals were ~agreeably surprised tn
] morning TO learn that General Otis 4