Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1898-12-28

Trouble with the Insurgents Leads
to Decisive Action.
INSTRUCTIONS TO OTIS
Aguina1do's Followers Desert Him
and Wage War on Their
Own Account.

New York, Dec. PA special from
Manila says: As the result of Aguinaldo,
the insurgent leader, having refused to
recognize the rank of the lower class of
the rebel officers, the latter have deserted
with large numbers Of armed soldiers and
have attacked various towns.
Several Of the native local authorities,
who had abused their positions and were
unpopular in the province. have been muir
dered or their property has been seques-
trated
The town of Calling, for instance.
which was defended by 600 of Agui-
naldO's troops, has been taken and looted
by the malcontents.
1t is reported that the Spaniards in
Cebu have capitulated.
To Take I1oi1o at Once.
A special from Washington says: Sec
rotary Alger has cabled for Gen. Otis at
Manila to take possession of Iloilo imme-
diately. Plans for doing SO are left to the
general
This step is taken in advance of formal
relinQ uiShment of sovereignty by Spain
on account of the gravity of the situation
there it is supposed. Iloilo is the only
point in the Philippines now under Span
lSh control, and it has been Il constant
hight with the insurgents to retain control.
Admiral Dewey reported recently that
the Spaniards were holding Iloilo with
500 soldiers and that citizens had asked
him for warships 70 protect them.
Gen. Otis will probably send two regi-
detail the Charleston and Concord 70 aid
the troops.
The Spaniards will willingly relinquish
authority ever Iloilo it is understood as
they know they must evacuate soon.
What the insurgents will do remains to be
Int how ~ IL M ,.-l,,
ton of a serious clash, though our sol
diers will be prepared for any emergency.
Rumor Not Confirmed.
The war department has no cOnfirma-
ton of the rumor that the insurgents have
captured 1loilO. Should it prove true Gen.
Otis may find some difficulty in dislodging
them 1t is hoped that the report is false.
as this government wants to occupy that
position before the rebels get fOothold.
Secretary Alger has issued no orders for
taking any other point in the Philippines
and he intimates no further step toward
occupying the group will be taken until the
treaty is ratified.
The proclamation TO be issued then has
been mailed to Gen. Otis, but if it be-
comes necessary to assume control of the
whole archipelago before treaty ratifica-
ton the proclamation Will be cabled for
earlier PRONUNCIATION.
This proclamation, Secretary Alger says,
contains nothing not embraced in procla-
nations issued for Santiago and Porto
Rico. When asked if it referred to au-
tonomy, he said with the emphasis that il
does not.
Left to Gen. Otis.
Washington, D. c., Dec 24-The adj
miniStratiOn has determined to contide to
the Judgment and tact of Gen. Otis, in
command of the United States forces in
the Philippines. the question whether our
frOOnS shall no 6iSna fchp6 n I1Oyln horn
recent Spanish reports have stated that
Il sanguinary conflict Is III progress be-
tween the insurgents and the remaining
Spanish troops. Some days ago Gen.
Otis asked the war department if any
precise instructions were TO be given in
his dealing with the situation ut Iloilo
The matter was fully cunvassed by the
President and Secretary Alger, and as
q result the decision was reached to let
Gen. Otis, on the ground, deal with the
situation by the exercise of his own dis
erection. The reply was sent to Gen. Otis
several days ago, and it will be for him
to decide whether United States force
shall go to IloilO and how many men
will constitute the force
Detained by the Officials.
Manila, 2. l., Dec 24-The steamer
Union, which, as cabled to the Associated
press yesterday, returned here from IlOili
with native and Spanish soldiers and was
refused q Landing at this place, has been
detained by the American officials.
Private advices from the southern PROV
inccs say that business is suspended in al:
the leading towns, that supplies are scarce
and that foreigners are only permitted to
travel when special permits have been is
sued to them.
At Malos, the headquarters of the So
called Philippine government, near here
the native soldiers are levying on the vii
layers for supplies of food, though they
are half-starved and universal dissatis-
faction prevails.
American volunteers to the number OF
COB attended an enthusiastic meeting Of
the newlyformed Philippine Development
association here yesterday evening O.
L. Williams the United States consul at
Manila. presided. Definite action on the
part of the organization was postponed
pending the decision Of Gen. Otis on GER
tain matters.