Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-02-06

of great service.
The fleet cannot operate against
troops in the interior. but undoubtedly
Dewey Immediately will draw tight
Gordon of blockading vessels around
the island of Luzon and make a spe-
cial effort to absolutely cut on the in
surgents from the supplies and am
munition which they must have to
carry on the war.
One Of the first steps Of the admin
istration upon hearing Of the outbreak
at Manila was to give attention to the
presence in Washington Of Agoncillo.
the accredited representative here OF
the Philippine insurgents. They would
not say whether or not any steps had
been taken looking to his expulsion
from the United States or to his ar
rest, but his status. II can be stated.
has already been the subject of careful
study.
| The officials have been 10th to dis
| turb him, first, because they did not
care to martyrize him unnecessarily.
and second. because they did not care
to expose themselves to the criticism
that they were interfering improperly
| with the supply OF information and ar
guments respecting the Philippine
question while the treaty was pending
before the Senate. 1t is possible. how
| ever. that their patience is now ex-
| hausted. believing as they do that he
has in some fashion been connected
with this outbreak. and that they may
be aroused to the point of action.
1t was said at the state department.
plainly. that Agoncillo was either a
| traitor or a spy. II the Philippines
are regarded as American territory.
then he is the representative and ac-
tive agent OF an insurrection against
the United States and as such
traitor. If the Philippines are still In
| nominal Spanish possession. then. as
| a state of war still technically exists.
he could be regarded only as spy.
| At the very least. his presence is high
~ obnoxious and there Is said TO be
ample authority for his expulsion by
Presidential orders.
Diplomats took a lively interest in
the news. realizing that the govern
nent of the United States will call
upon them very early to see to It that
10 aid of any sort Is rendered to the
Filipinos and that no fllibustering ex
petitions shall leave their soil wit.
munitions OK war or supplies for the
insurgents. Special precautions will
re asked to be taken at Singapore and
Hong Kong. principal points Of the
eastern trade, to prevent the dispatch
Of vessels carrying secret cargoes n
aid of the insurgents.
1t is believed that the interests OF
he other nations in a peaceful state
IF things in the East will cause them
o exercise special vigilance in this re-
spect, matter of much Importance Il.
'iew of the great number and extent
If the Philippine islands. Without the
receipt of arms or ammunition from
he outside the insurgents will be bad
ly handicapped.
The United States. by refusing to
'ecognize Agoncillo in any way, is in
ivID =
10 doubt is expressed as to oil Euro
beam nations maintaining a most cor
'ect attitude and refusing in any man.
ner to acknowledge that Aguinaldo
and his followers have any status
warranting their recognition in any
manner.
The members of the Filipino Junta
which are in the city were shown The
Associated Press report from Manila,
tonight, and readily gave a descrip-
ton of the places where the fighting
occurred. DR.. Juan Luna, a member
Of the Junta, said that the points nam
ed in the dispatch lie to the north and
east Oh Mania ana that the lnSurgent
army at that place is small; much
larger force, he says. is encamped to
the south of the city in the direction Of
Malate.
The American outposts are the ones
formerly occupied by the Spaniards on
the outskirts Of the city, while those
held by the insurgents are about a mile
away to the north and east. The dis
.ance between Cnloacan and POGO, the
extreme points of the fighting, is 6
miles. Colcoacan is the most norther-
~ of the insurgent Outposts. This is
the town spoken of in the Manila dis
patch as having been bosnbarded by
the Charlestown and Concord. DR.
Luna claimed that it was impossible
for the American shell to have done any
! damage there as the place is protected
from the bay by range of hills; fur
thermore, the American ships, he said.
could not take up position close to the
shore owing to the shallow water in