The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-09-12
INSURGENTS TAKING LUZ0N.
CAPTURE OF SPANISH POSITIONS
REPORTED AT MANILA.

They Hold 5000 Spanish Prisoners
and Several Small StenmerS-COn-
quest of the Island Rapidly APP
preaching COmpIetiOn--Insurg
Have Caused Much Needless De-
structiOn in Continuing HOSTILE
ties After the ArmistIce Was De-
cIared, and Have Put Themselves
in the Wrong With Everybody.
GEN. Otis Handling the COmpIica-
ted Questions With Remarkable
Energy.
London, Sept. 12.-The Manila CORE
spondent of the Times, under date of Sept
8, says: THE general conquest of the is
land of Luzon is rapidly approaching COM
pletion. Recent authentic reports announce
the capture of successive Spanish posi-
tons and at present the rebels control
every foot of the island except Manila,
Cavite and a small portion of the province
of Albay.
They hold over 5000 Spanish prisoners
and have recently captured several thou
sand rifles, some cannon, a large quantity
of ammunition and several small armed
steamers.
THE Spaniards held out vigorously, but
were fighting against the inevitable.
1T is undeniable that the action of
the insurgents in pursuing the campaign
after an armistice was declared has caused
much useless suffering and destruction of
property and has annihilated their every
claim to be considered in any respect as
the allies of the Americans.
by continuing the campaign now, re-
CARELESS of the armistice, they put them
selves an the wrong with everybody, just
as by crowding into the suburbs of Ma
Mia, and refusing to vacate the same I'M
less compelled by superior force, they
have put themselves In the wrong with
the Americans.
THE situation has been critical from
the beginning and conflicts have been
avoided only by great tact and the eX-
traordinary patience of the American
troops, who loyalty observe their duty of
preserving the peace of the town.
1.-The policy of permitting the insurgents
to occupy the Spanish positions has been
fruitful in many difficulties not the least
of which is the stimulus given to the con-
cet of the natives, who consider them
selves the conquerors of Manila, although
they captured not single position when
the town was taken.
Gen. Otis has attacked the compli
Gated questions he inherited from Gen.
Merritt, his predecessor, with remarkable
energy and decision, and is rapidly estab-
fishing order in every department where
comparative chaos ruled before.
"Aguinaldo has persistenty demanded
various impossible concessions; for exam
pie, an occupation of the Governor Cen
erals palace and other palaces, written
assurance that the insurgents will be per-
mltted TO occupy permanently their mill
tary positions around Manila and protec-
ton for the insurgent vessels by the
American f1eet-with many other claims,
including an insolent demand for a share
of the bounty captured by the Americans
at Manila"
After careful review Of the situation,
Gen. Otis arrived at the logical conclusion
that the Insurgents have no right to oc-
cupy the suburbs of Manila, and that
Aguinaldo's claims have the support of
fore, categorically refused to consider
Aguinaldo's demands, and to-day sent him
an ultimatum that he must withdraw his
troops from the suburbs before the 18th,
or suffer the consequences of refusal.
1T is reported that the presidency of the
revolutionary government Will be offered
to Cajetano Arellano, at a congress at
Nalolos, on Sept. 15 Arellano is a lawyer
of excellent repute-the one man among
the PHILIPPINES who is universally respect
ed. Hitherto he has consistently avoided
politics, and it is doubtful whether he will
undertake the task of steering a rudder-
less ship.
Whatever may happen at the congress,
there is no possible assurance that the ma
tives are capable of self-government The
educated class neither desire nor hope for
complete Independence The masses of the
revoiutionists on the other hand are Bit
terly opposed to any solution of the ques-
ton which does not promise untrammelled
independence"
SENIOR CANALEJAs' REPLY,