The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1899-02-25
Administration Puzzled BY beVeys
Telegram.
TWO REASONS SUGGESTED P0R
REQUEST FOR OREGON.

Washington. February a4.-The cable
gram from Admiral Dewey ssking for
the Oregon was received with surprise BY
the officials here. No one knew the
nature Of this political reasons which the
Admiral says demand the immediate pre-
sence Of the peerless battleship The
cablegram was taken to the cabinet
meeting and fully discussed there No
other subject was considered by the
cabinet. 1t is thought that request for
further details will be made. The Ad-
miral. 1t is said, possibly feels that the
moral effect Of the presence Of the big
ship upon ths Insurgents themselves
would be good. But there Is underlying
doubt whether or not the Admiral may
not be sighting gathering cloud in the
East and is looking to the prevention OF
any possible Intervention or interference
by European powers In the struggle
now in progress near Manila. II 10 be.
lievsd that In the big tires, much property
of foreign residents'and business con-
Germs was destroyed. That these fires were
caused by the insurgents cannot be denied
aud it may be that some Of the foreign
naval commanders in the East are dis
posed to seize upon the pretended pretext
that their interests demand protection to
make landing or do something obnoxi.
Gus to the United States and likely to en-.
courage the insurgents. With such
strong naval force rs would be afforded
BY the reinforcement OF Dewey's tieet BY
the Oregon there could be no reasonl for
any such action on the part Of third
parties.
The cabinet, after considering Devey's
message relative to the present import.
ance OF sending the Oregon at once to
Manila, reached the conclusion that too
much importance should not be attached
to IL; that iIewey wants the big ship to
influence the Filipinos through fear.
Secretary Long said when asked for an
explanation OF the reference to political
reason In the despatch said:
81 am sure that IL hos not intern ,tional
Significance You may state that posi-
lively. Probably he wants tine ship
there, as the American commissioners are
about due and it will give weight to the
American representations.
1t is suggested from other naval sources
that Dewey wants the Oregon to release
q number of the smaller ships of the fleet
for other work. de has been planning a
tour among the islands other than Luzon
with the purpose Of establishing the au-
thority Of the United States among them.
1t Is also necessary to establish close
| blockade to prevent the insurgents from
receiving supplies. These projects require
for their execution number Of ships
Dewey cannot spar them at present. but
" b IN the Oregon gets into Manila har.
boz. she will be sufficiently formidable to
insure the protection of the entire farbor
IN conjunction with the two big double
.urreted monitors Monterey and Monad-
mock. The remainder of the fleet then
will be free to carry out the project.
While these three armored ships are lying
In Manila bay there is no fear that any
force can enter or pass out without their
consent
DEWEY WANTS THE OREGON.
Washington, February l4.-The follow
ing dispatches have been received Mt the
navy department.:
Manila, February ga
For political reasons the Oregon should
be sent here at once.
Manila. February "a
Yorktown arrived. Charlestown and
Petre! cruising around the Philippine
islands. Affairs more quiet.
OREGON AT HONOLULU.
San Francisco, February 24-The
Oregon arrived at Hilo February 4,
and at Honolulu February 9th. Iris ana
Scandis arrive on the l3th. Giffen.
MIR. Giffen Is despatch agent Of the
department.
SHARP SHOOTERS ACTIVE
some Fighting About Coloocan Yester-
day.
Manila, February A.-Owing to the
Wholesale arrests of all suspected Filipi-
nos yesterday and the clearance Of streets
at seven O'Clock last night the threatened
renewal of the scenes Of the previous
night did not occur.
With the exception of a few shots tired
in the neighborhood Of the penitentiary
the city was as quiet as possible.
Outside of Manila the rebels we're very
active.
The United States transport Soandia
with the goth infantry on board. has ar
rived here from San Francisco, which
port she left ON January %. Orders have
been issued to enforce the provisional
customs tariff at Iloilo, and the American
officers have been appointed to conduct
the civil affairs of IloiIo.
IA D. m.-The enemies sharp shooters
have been particularly active about
Caloooan all day long. Special attention
was paid to three gun battery near the
railroad and the Improvement of the
rebel markmanship was very noticeable.
:. The rebels tired vnlleys at our battery
their bullets frequently skimming the
tops Of the sand bags A lieutenant Of the
Twentieth Kansas volunteers and thTee
other men were slightly wounded. "A
man was killed in the trenches today.
1he rebel battery has not been used since
shell from the United States double
turretted monitor Monadnock exploded
over 1t yesterday.
lhe enemy's ire was 30 hot during the
night In the vicinity of the Higgin )
House that headquarters were removed to
a church four. hundred yards inside the
lline. A few small fires have destroyed
native shscks In various parts of ths city,
The 10th infantry Is being disein barked
from the United States transport Soandia.
The regiment will be encamped on the
water front at the former quarters Of the
Tennessee volunteers temporarily.
INSURGENTS GOT INTO THE
CITIES.
Warrington, February 24.-General
Otis today oablsd the war department as