Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1899-02-11
DEWEY SENDS FIRST VIEWS.
Tidings Came as a Shock to the Ad.
ministration.

Washington, Feb. 6.-The first news
OF the clash at Manila came yesterday
morning in II c%ablegram from Admiral
Dewey to the navy department, as fol-
lows:
Manila, Feb. 5.-Secretary Of the Navy.
Washington Insurgents here inaugurated
general engagement yesterday night
which has continued today. The American
army and navy IN generally successful.
Insurgents nave been driven back and ouI
line advarced. No casualties TO navy.
Dewey,
The news came like n shock, for the
administration, though appraised that
an ugly situation prevailed in the
Philippines, had chung steadily TO u
hope that by tact and patience actual
fighting might be averted, and even
those public men who felt that HOSTILE
ties would follow should the treaty be
ratified and the United States attempt
TO occupy the islands believed that
Aguinaldo would not force the fight
ing when the treaty of peace was in
its most critical stage.
1t seems to be Dewey's fortune al
ways to be able to report favorable
news, and like all of his messages that
have gone before this c%ablcgram told
of the succcessof the American forces
in the action. II was with great re-
gret, however, that the administration
learned that the insurgents had forced
the issue. II had hoped all along that
htey could be brought TO see the adj
vantage of placing their trust in the
American people and relying upon tho
president to deal justly with them.
The administration argued that with
the Philippine commission fairly on
the sea %enroute for Manila, bringing
with them messages from the presi-
dent and with the peace treaty still UNI
acetd on, il was not to be credited that
they would refuse TO wait to learn the
purpose of the American government,
but would precipitate the long impend-
ing conflict.
While this was true, the officials here
and the officers in Manila had not been
blind to the threat contained i'm the
situation there, and every preparation
has been made for just what occurred
last night. IT it now acknowledged
that fear of al outbreak i'm Luzon was
the explanation for the most com
mented on failure Of General Miller to
force n landing at Iloilo and the island
Panay: others feel 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 Manila and that general was left
with one regiment of regulars and o
battalion of artillery. just sufficient &c
take advantage of any detection in his
front, but not enough to force his way
ashore and hold his own. Then, rather
a formal authorization, for he did
not need the instruction, Dewey was
told to cooperate fully with General
Otis in any measures that the latter
might take. 1t is believed it is IN,
to the insurgents, but some OF
the American warships were quietly
moved into positions where they per
fectly commanded the insurgents
trenches and defenses, and could shell
them with effect in case OF an out!
break. This movement was effected
more than ten days ago, and the adj
ministration has not felt serious appre
hension of General Otis ability at least
to hald his own.