Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-12-28
CAPTURE OF ILOILO
Spanish Reported to Have Fled to
Minbanao.
CABLE ADVICES FROM GENERAL Otis
Insurgents Took Possession of the
Place Monday.
SITUATION MORE COMPLEX

There has been a good deal of anxiety
in official circles over recent events at
lloilo, the capital of the Island of Panay
in the Philippines. Two official dispatches
were received by the State and War De-
partments, but it impossible to gather
from them an accurate knowledge as 20
the condition there. 1t was not even possi-
bic to learn whether the insurgents or the
American forces had captured the place
United States Consul Pratt at Singapore
cabled the State Department, ''IloiIo taken
24th, Spanish fled to Borneo." This threw
the officials into deeper doubt than before
Another telegram stated that the Spaniards
had retreated to a strongly fortified town
on the Island of 11indanao. This did not
agree with Consul Pratt's statement that
they fled to Borneo, the north coast of
which is a British possession, but it was
believed that the consul is in error on this
point, which might easily be the case in
view of the distance from his post to Iloilo.
The fact that the Spaniards have retreated
at all was also construed as an indication
that the town was abandoned to the insur-
gents, for it is believed that Colonel Rios,
the Spanish commander, would have cheer
fully surrendered to the American force
with a view to securing the safety of his
men and their ultimate return to Spain by
the American government according to the
terms of the treaty.
Insurgents Raised Their Flag.
Just before noon another dispatch came
from General Otis that at once confirmed
the fears of the officials of the War De-
partment as to what had taken place at
lloilo- 1t appears that the American forces
had arrived too late on the scene and that
the insurgents had added to the difficulty
nFnhlHnS U mr. cd hI- bniS iST-
ing their flag over the city, which they
have been besieging for months. The news
was contained IN the following message
MANILA, December % 1898.
"Adjutant General. Washington:
Sent Col. Potter on fast vessel to Iloilo
on 24th to communicate with Spanish Gen.
Rios; latter evacuated evening OF 24th and
Potter thirty-nine hours late: insurgents
took possession of city on 10Th, and Potter
fOunl AguinaldOs flag flying. Cannot now
report probable results; Will not hear from
there for four days, as no cable commune
cations Spanish forces have evacuated
all stations in southern islands, except
Zamboanga, Mindanao, by orders, they
say. from Madrid. OTIS"
May Raise the Issue at Once.
The evacuation by the Spaniards of all
the Philippine ports. and. as reported by
Gen. Otis, although doubtless inspired by
desire to secure their safety by concentra-
tion. has undoubtedly done much to COM
plicate the problem already presented the
War Department of extending the military
Jurisdiction of the United States over the
islands. 1t Will now be necessary to greatly
expedite the execution of the original plans,
and it may fully he expected that within
two three days important events will
have happened in the Philippines.
1t is presumed that Gen. Otis will de-
mand the surrender of the town of Ioilo
into his hands, and this demand may at
once raise the issue so long expected be-
tween the insurgents and our own govern
ment for the possession of the islands.
The City of UoiIo.
This one province of Iloilo is set down in
the official directories as having a popula-
tion Of 4T2OOO and it is the second seaport
in Importance in the whore Philippine
group 1t is located on a river navigable
for vessels of fifteen feet draught, so that
very few of our gunboats would be avail
able TO assist the troops in case it souId
be necessary 10 take forecible possession of
the city.
The Spaniards have chosen a strong place
for the concentration of their troops in the
town of Zamboanga, which. the reports
here indicate. IS strongly fortified and pos
sessed of considerable natural strength
from defensive point of view. 1t is not
doubted that they will be able to maintain
themselves for an indefinite period of time
against the insurgents, presuming that they
are not cut on from obtaining supplies from
the sea. The town itself has a population
of II 900 inhabitants.
Instructions to Cen Otis.
The officials at the War Department still
decline TO make public Gen. OTIS telegram
of yesterday, but there is no doubt that he
is meeting with great difficulty in his effort
TO secure the release of the Spanish pris-
oners held by the FiIpinos. 1t begins to
appear clearly that considerable element
among the Filipino leaders-prObably ma
Jority-are disposed to use these unfortu-
nate prisoners as a basis for negotiations
with the United States government, makin,,
their release conditional upon certain more
or less important concessions demanded by
them 1t is not yet a Ioregone conclusion
That terms cannot be arranged by private
conferences in Manila TO secure the release
OF these meE, but the United States govern
Inent, being now pledged by treaty to free
them, must resort to other means if peace
ful representations fail Gen. Otis has been
instructed on this point, and the War De
partment has confidence in his experience
and sound judgment, and believing that
from his presence on the scene he is better
capable to deal with the situation than Off
Gals here, has confined itself to state
ment OF what is expected to be done to-
ward securing of the prisoners, leaving ii
10 Cen Otis to devise the ways and means
and carrying out the plans. Until some
progress has been made and the depart
Inent IS aware of the exact numbers of
these prisoners 1t will not be possible to
proceed very far with the plan for the re-
patriation Of the Spaniards
Surrender of Rios.
\ Madrid dispatch of yesterdays date
says: General Rios, the Spanish command
or in the Visayas Islands, has telegraphed
10 the government from Iloilo capital of the
island of Panay. under date of December
u. as follows:
Am preparing to embark on the steamer
Leo XIII for Zamboanga, Island of Min
danao. having vest ;ay December 23)
formally surrendered Iloilo, in the presence
OF the military and naval commanders. the
mayor and the foreign consuls Have
charged the German consuls with the pro-
lection OF Spanish interests Shall arrive at
Manila by the end of the MONTH"
Col Porter Retired.
Lieut.. Col Charles Porter, 22d United
States Infantry. having been examined by
an army retiring board and found inca
q,