Arizona republican., 1899-02-06
HAD HOPED TO AVERT IT
Washington Hardly Expected to Re-
 ceiVe Such Startling Information.

today cabled to the navy department that hostilities had begun between the 1 American army and the naval forces in and about Manila and the Philip pine insurgents. He said the insur- gents had been the aggressors and had been repulsed. The following mes sage was received this morning:
 Manila, Feb 5. To the Secretary of the Navy, Wash
 ington:
 The insurgente here inaugurated a general engagement last night which has continued today. The American army and navy is generally successful. The insurgents have been driven back and our line advanced. No casualties to the navy.
 (Signed) DEWEY.
 WHAT IT MEANS.
 The situation is regarded here as rather anomalous from a diplomatic standpoint. Legally, the Filipinos are still Spanish subjects and therefore if
  limits of Manila as laid down in the protocol, it will amount to a re- sumption of the war with Spain, at least technically
 The officials noted enc little flaw in Dewey's dispatch, in which he spoke of the American arlny and navy as generally successful conveying just the least intimation that at some points the results were not as satis- factory as at others.
 1t is inferred here that this might mean the development of weakness at some of the more exposed points on the American lines which might be easily explained by the fact that the attack was made at night and perhaps inn plies points where the insurgents could creep closer up in the shelter of the tropical jungle that grows near ly up into the town of Manila
 CONFIDENCE IN OTIS.
 Every confidence, however, is felt that General Otis is master of the sit uation. This confidence is based not only on this mornings cablegram bu5 from repeated assurances to that eff feet conveyed by General Otis to Washington from time to time during the past few months. No one here knows the real strength | of the insurgents opposed to General | Otis Accounts of their number are ! and none of them come | from reliable sources. Still the best | belief of the authorities at the war department is that they number about 30,000 men, but they are not compara- ole to the American forces in person. lel. discipline or quality of arms.
 It is known that they have some Iausers, some Remingtons and va iety of other firearms, and it is sus- ,ected they have been quite plentifully supplied with ammunitICn from out tide sources. Taken as a whole this is decidedly inferior to that f the American troops.
 Then, too, they are commanded by inexperienced officers, in many cases wen colonels of regiments being not nore than 21 years of age, and with ] heir lack of kowledge of tactics they ( re at a great disadvantage t
 STRONG IN BUSH FIGHTING. Their strong point is their knowl- , dge of the country and their certain anatical bravery in an onslaught that { 7ould be formidable to volunteer 0rcd not well trained to stand fire. C ike the Cubans they rely too much on | swo-d-Iike weapon, corresponding to he machete, a weapon of little value gainst long range rifles. Altogether the war department off a1s have not the slightest doubt of cneral Otis ability to hold his posi- on indefinitely, and the only cause for C pprehensiOn is the fear that by talk lg to the interior of the country, :, -hich is practically impossible for the merican troops in the approaching l liny season, q prolonged Indian fight | lg style of campaign may follolH. Be- c des his soldiers General Otis has at t is back in Manila bay and command lg the city, a veritable rock of Gib- lltar in Dewey's fleet.
 CAME AS A SURPRISE.
 The news came like shock; for the e though apprised that a , ugly situation prevailed in the Phil c ,pines. had chung steadily to the hope C lat by tact and patience. actual fight s