Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1899-01-06
War Incidents.

Capt. Clark was willing TO Fight the
Spanish Fleet with the Oregon---Ad-
mirsI Dewey's Report on the Philip
pines.
A valuable contribution to the official
history of the war with Spain has lust
been issued by Capt. Crowninshield, chief
of the bureau of navigation, as an appen-
dix to his annual report. The dispatches
printed show that Sampson wanted to at
tack the defences of Havana with his COM
bined fleet soon after war was declared,
but was prevented by orders from Wash.
ington. The report circulated at one time
that Capt. Clark wanted to fight the Span
ish feet with the Oregon is practically con-
firmed by despatch he sent to the de-
partment from Bahia, Brazil, on May o,
as follows:
"Much delayed by the Marietta and the
Nictheroy. Left them near Cape Frio,
with orders to come home or beach, II
necessity compels it., to avoid capture
The Oregon could steam IA knots for
hours, and in running fight might beat
off and even cripple the Spanish feet"
Secretary Long sent this reply:
proceed at once to West Indies. NJ au-
thentic news the Spanish feet. Avoid If
possible. We believe that you will defeat
1t If met"
In his report of the run of the Oregon
from Rio de Janeiro, Capt. Clark tells of
serving notice on the Brazilian admiral in
Rio harbor that if the Temerario entered
the harbor, and approached the Oregon
with a hostile purpose, he would destroy
the Spanish vessel.
Among the dispatches are the following:
dewey (care American consuD Hong
Kong:
1.-The President desires to receive from
you any important information you may
have of the Philippines; the desirability
OF the several islands; the character OF
their population; coal and other mineral
deposits; their harbors and commercial
advantages, and in a naval and CONNER
cial sense which would be the most adj
vantageous. II you have other informa.
nation which may be of value TO the gov
eminent in their negotiations, the Presi-
dent may desire your presence here If he
should request you TO come, take the quick
est route of travel. ALLEN"
Secretary of the Navy, Washington"
Referring to the departments telegram
OF Aug. l3, important islands are: Colon,
Luzon, Panay, Cebu, Negros, Leyte.
Others, owing TO the nature Of the inhab-
itants, have a small amount Of civilization,
want of cultivation. They may be neglect
ed, especially isles Of southern group.
Luzon is in all respects the most desirable
to retain. Contains most important com
mercial ports. Manila is farthest north.
Produces all of the good tobacco. Friend
ly natives. Civilization some what ad-
vanced. Not yet developed. Possible
rich minerals. Population S25 900. Subic
Bay b'st harbor for coaling purposes and
military. Water deep; landlocked; easily
defended. Strategically, command of bay
and city of Manila, with arsenal at Cavite,
most valuable. Panay, Cebu, Negros,
thickly populated, most civilized and we'll
cultivated. Iloilo sec md commercial port:
centre of sugar trade; a good harbor STRAIT
egically; in view of the situation, good for
defence. Cebu third commercial port; a
good harbor, very desirs"e y" 80 of
very good quality CO :. Phil
ippne islands. cen mined
on Cebu, English 81. | trust il
may not be necess, 10 order me to
Washington Should regret very much to
leave here while matters remain in present
critical condition. DEWEY"