The Portland daily press., 1898-09-12
If They Don't Do 1t Must Take
Consequences.
SITUATION IN THE PHILIPPINES
is CRITICAL.

Insurgents Have Forfeited All Claim
Upon the Americans-Aguinaldo Has
Made Various Impossible Demands
Upon Gen. Otis and a Categorical
Refusal Has Been Made,
London, September 12.-The Manila
correspondent Of the Times telegraphing
September 8, says:
The insurgent conquest of the island
Of Luzon is rapidly approaching compile
tion. Recent authentic reports announce
the capture of successive Spanish posit-
ions and at present the rebels control
every foot of the island, except Manila,
Cavite and small portion of the PROV
ince of Albay.
They hold over 5000 Spanish prisoners
and have recently captured thousand
rifles, some cannons, q large quantity of
ammunition and several small armed
steamers. The Spaniards held out valor-
LOUSY, but were fighting against the in
evitable.
By continuing the campaign now,
regardless of the armistice, they put
themselves in the wrong with everybody
just as, by crowding into the suburbs of
Manila and refusing to vacats the same
unless compelled by superior force, they
have put themselves in the wrong with,
the Americans.
Their action is doubtless due, partly to
a disorganization Of their force, which, by
their own confession. consisted Of con-
gregation of Independent units, with
chiefs, each ambitious of power and dis
tinction, and all struggling for positions
which will secure for them, by booty or
otherwise, private fortunes. The situation
has been impossible from the begin
ming, and conflicts have been avoided
only by great tact and the extraordinary
patience of the American troops, who 10y
ally observe their duty preserving the
peace of the tow n.
Gen. Otis has attacked the complicated
questions he inherited from Gen. Mer-
ritt, his predecessor, with remarkable en-
ergy and decision, and is rapidly estab-
fishing order in every department where
comparative chaos ruled before.
Aguinaldo has persistsntly demanded,
in terms not too polits, various impossi-
BILE concessions, for example. an occupa-
tion of the Governor Generals palace and
other palaces, a written assurance that
the insurgents will be permitted to ocou-
py permanently their military positions
around Manila, and protection for the in.
surgent vessels by the American fleet
n1o n
innocent demand for share of the booty
captured by the Americans at Manila.
Gen. Otis has oategorically refused to
consider Aguinaldo's demands and today
sent him an ultimatum, in terms plainly
COMPREHENSIVE and authoritative that he
must withdraw his troops from the
suburbs before the 18th, or suffer the con-
sequences of refusal.
The answer will probably be that
Aguinaldo himself is only too willing to
obey the order, but cannot explain to his
troops the reason why they cannot re-
main at Manila.
1t is an urdoubted fact that Aguinaldo
has but a feeble hold on the .organiza-
tion. His power Is fast waning; and the
insurgents are threatened with disterga-
tion from the opposing factions.
1t is reported that the presidency of the
revolutionary government will be offered
to Cajetano Arelane, at Congress at
Malolos, on September 15.
Whatever may happen at the congress
there is no possible assurance that ene
natives are capable of self government
| The situation is considered very critic