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Government to Send Reinforce ments to Philippines. SITUATION SAID TO BE GRAVE. Danger of War with the Insurgents Dis cussed at the White House—A Question of the Utmost Diplomatic Importance Owing to the Fact That an Armistice Exists Between This Country and Spain .Troops To Be Sent to Honolulu First. Washington, Sept. 10.—The danger of war with the Philippine insurgents was discussed at the White House by the secretary of war, the acting secretary of the navy, and the president. The gravity of the situation was acknowl edged and preparations are being made to hasten reinforcements to the Ameri cans at Manila. This of itself is a Question of the utmost diplomatic im portance. An armistice is now in force between this country and Spain. By the terms of that armistice neither side can move any troops into disputed ter ritory. How to overcome this objection without asking permission from Spain is a question for the shrewdest diplom acy. Troops ordered to Honolulu. As arranged orders have been given for all the troops in the Presidio at San Francisco, about 7,000, to proceed at once to Honolulu. But the trans ports carrying them are not to return. It is believed by those who should know that these transports will not stop at Honolulu longer than a day and will at once steam across the Pacific to Manila. So grave is the situation that orders were given at the White House that none of the officials of the war de partment should give out information on the subject. Secretary Alger, when asked about it, said he did not desire to discuss the facts in the case. “You must see the president for any infor mation,” he added. Adjutant General Corbin gave a similar answer when asked the same question. May Mean War with Germany. As stated in the morning, the impend ing trouble may be far reaching. The reinforcement of General Otis at Ma nila may cause trouble for the peace commission when it meets in Paris, and the fear that German interference is at the bottom of Aguinaldo’s bravery may drag this country into a struggle with the emperor. After the consultation at the White House it was stated at the war department that the troops at San Francisco would be hurried to Hono lulu. The troops designated for this service are the First Washington vol unteers, Sixth, Seventh and Eighth Cal ifornia volunteers, Twentieth Kansas, Fifty-fivet Iowa, First Wyoming, First Colorado and First Utah battery. While it was stated at the war department that these troops were going to Hono lulu, it was also quietly intimated that orders would be given to the transports not to return. This can have but one meaning, and that is that the trans ports will proceed to Manila Tired of Diplomatic Methods. The administration got tired of trying diplomatic methods with Aguinaldo and has concluded that nothing but a show of force will bring him to his senses. So General Otis was directed to open hostilities if necessary. Knowing from previous reports from General Otis how the situation was shaping itself, the president was not particularly surprised at the receipt of the dispatch announc ing the ultimatum of the American commander. General Otis now has with him at Manila 16,000 American troops. About 2,000 more men are now on their way to join him on the transports Scan dia and Arizona. This will make his force 18,000 men, without counting the naval command under Admiral Dewey. Aguinaldo’s forces have been estimated at 30,000. and forty-sixes. Behin ad Recas here are handling the well as possible. Considering the ditions the percentage of deaths is small. Convalescents, however, have the climate to contend with, and after the fever has left them the patients fail to recover their strength. They should be sent north at once. Need for transports for convalescents and for hospital ships is imperative. If there is more wet weather the condi tions will become very serious. All the United States troops now in Porto Rico have been placed under the command of General Guy W. Henry, General Brooke relinquishing active direction of the army while occupied with the duties of the military commission. Be fore his departure General Wilson an nounced his approval of the findings of the military commission in the trial of the Corto “firebugs.” Jose Burgos and Ramon Vega were each sentenced to fifteen years at hard labor and Leon ardo Colon and Juan Martinez Flor iners to two years each at hard labor. The prisoners have been placed in the prison of Ponce.
Newspaper Details
Alton Telegraph
Alton, Illinois, US
Thu, Sep 15, 1898
Page 7
Full Page
Clipped by
Kellan R.
USA 29 Jul 2026
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