This shows the strong impression the Manila news made in the War Department, of the attempt to burn the city, which was part of the announced plan of the insurgents.  Filipino spies and sympathizers had been watched by the American troops day and night seeking to locate places of weakness.  Many were captured.  Some of them were disguised in women’s clothing.  Plots of all kinds were rife.  There had been constant fear for weeks in the city that a massacre and conflagration would be attempted.  General Otis warned his officers to be ever vigilant.  Since the first battle our troops have guarded all quarters within the lines.  The conclusion of the very serious phase of the incendiary period was announced by General Otis in this dispatch: 

“Manila, Feb. 24.—­To Secretary of War, Washington:  Scandia arrived last night.  On nights 21st and 22d and yesterday morning insurgent troops gained access to outskirts of city behind our lines.  Many in hiding and about 1,000 intrenched themselves.  Completely routed yesterday, with loss of killed and wounded about 500 and 200 prisoners.  Our loss was slight.  City quiet, confidence restored, business progressing.

Otis.”

On the afternoon of February 25th it was stated in a Manila cablegram that the military police had raided several suspected houses in various districts, capturing small bodies of twenty or thirty prisoners in each place.  This and the 7 o’clock order effectually dispelled the fears of a threatened outbreak of the natives, who do not dare singly, or collectively, to appear on the streets after dark.  The feeling in the city decidedly improved, although the Chinese were timorous.  Hundreds of applicants for cedulus besiege the register’s office, the natives apparently being under the impression that their possession insures them from interference and the ignominy of being searched for arms on the streets.

There was a mystery lasting a day or two about this unusual cable communication: 

“Manila, Feb. 24.—­To Secretary of Navy, Washington:  For political reasons the Oregon should be sent here at once.

Dewey.”

It was not a secret, however, in Manila Bay in August that Admiral Dewey wanted two battleships, just as he wanted and had needed two monitors, and that he then preferred the Oregon and the Iowa.  He has deemed it of the utmost importance that he should have a force at Manila Bay superior to that of any other power.  The German fleet had for a considerable part of the time since the destruction of the Spanish squadron been in a menacing attitude.  The Germans were ostentatious in discourtesy during Admiral Diedrich’s personal presence.

The Congress of the United States that was so divided and distracted about the Philippine question was unanimous as to the pre-eminent merits as a naval commander of George Dewey, though he was the embodiment of all the anti-Americans railed at.  This is the official paper that proclaims Dewey’s promotion: