The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-02-06
WHAT OFFICIALS Think
Of THE MANILA OUTBREAK
American Forces In the Philippines Are Fully Able
to Cope With Any Emergency.
FiIipnOS Should Have Placed Their Trust In Mckinley
Preparations Had Been Made For the Attack.

Washington, Feb. admiral Dewey
today cabled the navy department that
hostilities had begun between the Am
erican army and naval forces in and
about Manila and the Philippine in
surgents. The insurgents, ne said, had
been the aggressOrs and had been re-
pulsed.
The following message was received
from Dewey:
Manila. Feb. $40 the Secretary of
War, Washington: Insurgents here in
augurated general engagement yester-
day night, which has continued today.
The American army and navy is gener-
ally successful. Insurgents have been
driven back and our line advancing.
No casualties to the navy
DEWEY"
The news came like a shock, for the
administration, though apprised that an
ugly situation prevailed in the Philip
pines, had chung steadily to hope that
by tact and patience actual lighting
might be averted. and even those public
men who felt that hostilities would fol-
low should the treaty be ratified and
the United States attempt to occupy
the islands, believed that Aguinaldo
would not force the fighting when the
treaty Of peace was in its most critical
stage. Some sensational opponents of
ratification of the treaty adhere TO their
position, but the general opinion in
Washington tonight is that the news
from Manila insures ratification of the
treaty tomorrow afternoon.
The news of the beginning of another
war came from Admiral Dewey. No
word has been received from General
Otis up to nightfall. It 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 action.
II 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 advantages Of plac-
ing their trust in the American people
and relying upon the president to deal
Justly with them. The administration
argued that with the Philippine com
mission fearly on the sea en- route for
Manila, bringing with them messages
from the president, and with the peace
treaty still Enacted on, it was not to be
expected that they would refuse to wait
to learn the purposes of the American
government. but would precipitate the
long impending conflict.
PREPARATIONS AT MANILA.
While this was true, the officials here
and the officers in Manila had not been
blind to the threat contained in the
situation there, and every preparation
has been made for just what occurred
last night. 1t is now acknowledged that
fear of an outbreak in LuZon was the
explanation for the much commented
on failure of General Miller to force a
landing at Iloilo. on the island of Pa
nay; Otis felt that he wanted all of the
troops at Manila, where was located
the centre of the danger. Part of Mil
Iers force. therefore, was returned to
Manila and that general was lett with
one regiment of regulars and bat
talon of artillery. just sufficient TO take
advantage of any detection in his front,
but not enough TO force his way ashore
and hold his own.
Rather as a formal authorization,
for he did not need the instruction,
Dewey was told to cooperate fully
with General Otis in any measures the
latter might take. 1t is believed that
it was unknown TO the insurgents. but
some of the American warships were
moved quietly into positions where
they perfectly commanded the insurg-
ent trenches and defences and could
shell them with effect in case of an
outbreak. This movement was eff
fected more than ten days ago and the
administration has not felt serious
apprehension of General Otis ability
to at least hold his own. The Ameri
can position might have been greatly
strengthened, it is said, by a judiciOus
extension of the line in certain direc
tions and also by taking summary
measures to prevent the operations of
the insurgents in taking up positions
and organizing forces. President Nc
Kinley took the view that perhaps