The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-02-06
United States VIII Now BE Justified in
Radical Extension of Author
ity on the Islands.
GEN. oTlSS TROOPS AMPLE
NO FEAR THAT HE WILL BE UNABLE
TO HANDLE THE REBELS.
Foreign Legations at Washington Ad.
nit Complete Subsection of In
surgents Is Necessary.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 5.-Admiral Dewey
to-day cabled the Navy department that
hostilities had begun between the American
army and naval forces in and about Manila
and the Philippine insurgents The insur-
gents, he said had been the aggressors and
had been repulsed. Following is Dewey's
message to the secretary of the navy:
insurgents here inaugurated general en-
ga agement yesterday night, which was con-
tinued to-day. The American army and
navy is generally successful Insurgents
have been driven back and our line ad-
vanced. No casualties to navy.
DEWEY"
The following telegram, received by the
chief signal officer, was the first news re-
ceived from the army at Manila
MANILA, Feb. 5.-To General Greedy,
Chief Signal officer: Action continues since
early morning; losses quite heavy; every
thing favorable to our arms.
THOMPSON
Colonel Thompson is the chief signal officer
of the staff of General Otis
The news came like a shock, for the adj
ministration, though apprised that an ugly
situation prevSiled in the Philippines, had
clung steadily to a hope that by tact and
patience actual fighting might be averted
and even those public men who felt that
hostilities would follow, should the treaty
be ratified and the United States attempt
to occupy the islands, believed that Aguin-
aldo would not force the fighting when the
treaty of peace was in it's most critical
stage. Some senatorial opponents of rati-
fication of the treaty adhere to their posi-
ton, but the general opinion in Washington
tonight is that the news from Manila in
sures the ratification of the treaty to-mor-
row afternoon.
The news of the beginning of another war
came from Admiral Dewey No word had
been received from General Otis up to
nghtfall. 1t seems to be Dewey's fortune
always to be able to report favorable news
and, like all of his messages that have gone
before, this cablegram told Of the success
of the American forces in the action. 1t
was with great regret, however, that the
administration learned that the insurgents
had forced the issue. 1t had hoped all along
that they could be brought to see the ad-
vantages of placing their trust in the Amer
lean people and relying on the President to
deal justly with them. The administration
argued that with the Philippine commission
fairly on the sea en- route for Manila,
bringing with them messages from the Pres
ident, and with the peace treaty still un-
acted on it was not to be credited that they
would refuse to wait to learn the purposes
Of the American government but would
precipitate the long impending conflict.
LOOKED FOR TROUBLE.
While this was true, the officials here and
the officers in Manila had not been blind to
the threat contained in the situation there,
l,o1
just what occurred last night. 1t is now
acknowledged that fear of an outbreak in
Luzon was the explanation for the much
commentator failure of General Miller TO
force landing at Iloilo, on the Island of
Panay. Otis felt 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 reg
ulars and a battalion of artillery-just sufi-
cient to take advantage of any detection
in his front but not enough to force his
way ashore and hold his own. Then, rather
as formal authorzation-for he did not
need the Observation-Disclosures was told to CO.
operate fully with General Otis in any
measures the latter might take. 1t is be-
lieved that it was unknown to the insur-
oNAAlS thdl SOiiic VI the american war SHIPS
We're quietly moved into positions where
they perfectly commanded the insurgent
trenches and defenses and could shell them
with effect in case of an outbreak. This
movement was effected more than ten days
ago, and the administration has not felt
serious apprehension of General Otis's abil-
ity at least TO hold his own. The American
position might have been greatly strength
- ;e eoi1 34,J;o TONS Of
the lines in certain directions and also by
taking summary measures to prevent the
operations of the insurgents in taking mp
positions and organizing forces President
Mckinley took the view that perhaps under
"a strict construction of the terms of the
protocol. which still holds good in the alb
sence of the ratification of the treaty he
lacked authority to extend the field of oc-
cupation of the Americans. The fact that
the insurgents themselves have been the
first TO break the truce probably releases
the United States government from further
obligation in this respect, so that General
Otis was unquestonabl warranted. i'm the
opinion of the administration officials, in
extending his lines as Dewey reports he has
done.
The situation is regarded here as rather
anomalous from a diplomatic standpoint
Legally the Filipinos are still Spanish sub
iects. Therefore. if hostile operations con-
tinue outside of the limits of Manila. as laid
down in the protocol, it will amount to
resumption of the war with Spain. at least
technically.
Officials noted one little flaw in Dewey's
dispatch in that he spoke of the American
army and navy as generally successful"
conveying just the least intimation that at
some points the results were not as salts
factory as at others. 1t is inferred here that
this might mean the development OF weak