Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-11-19
||L0|LO BES|EGED,
Whole Island Outside Of City in
Rebel Possession,
| APPEAL FOR AMERICAN AID.
We Are ESlOpped, However. by Terms
Of Peace Protocol.
THE PROCEEDINGS AT PARIS.
1t is Now Thought That, Next Monday
or Tuesday, There VIII BE Either
Agreement to Philippine CessiOn or
End of Conference.
THE PROCEEDINGS AT PARIS.

WASHINGTON. November 1S.-News Of
a mixed character came 10 the Navy De-
partment to-day from Admiral Dewey
touching the situation in the Philippine
Islands. The Admiral sent two Of his
warships, the Charleston and the Con
cord. some time ago TO the southwark
from Manila. to ascertain whether there
was any truth in the reports that the in
surgents had expended their activities in
that direction. To-day he cables as fol-
lows:
manila, November 1S.--Charleston and
Concord arrived to-day from Iloilo. Glass
reports that the entire Island Of Panay is
IN possession of insurgents, except Iloilo,
which is defended by Spanish troops. All
citizens there beg for American prctec-
ton. The Island of Negros is declared in
possession. and desires American protec-
tora:e."
Glass is the commander OF the Charles
ton.
So far nothing has been done by the
government towards checking the insur-
gents In their operations except by means
OF verbal messages from the Admiral to
Agunaldo, In which it has been pointed
out TO him that 1t would be good olicy,
in view of the probability of the "nnexa-
ton of the islands by the United States,
to pursue course that would not be OBJ
noxious to the United States.
WE SEEM POWERLESS.
But the situation is now realized TO be
critical. So far as the Spaniards are con-
cerned, they can be left to take care Of
themselves, but the foreign residents at
Iloilo are differently regarded. The diff
ficulty in the situation is that, with the
best intentions to intervene to protect the
Europeans and other foreign residents,
and to save the city Of Iloilo, the second
town in Importance In the Philippine
group from looting, the United States
forces appear to be stopped, under the
rules Of war, from moving from their po-
sitions. Such Is the construction placed
upon the clause in the protocol relating
to a suspension of hostilities
The immediate effect of this state Of af-
fairs may be to hasten action on the
part of the Paris conference, for 1t is
only by the termination Of that tribunal
that the United States can come TO the
relief of the beleaguered Spaniards in
Iloilo and at other points. 1t is said TO
be a fact however, that total disagree
ment at Paris may result in speedier ac-
tion than if the commissioners agreed
upon the main principles of the Philip
pine cession, for in the latter case several
additional sessions probably would be re-
quired in order TO arrange the details
Of the treaty.
SOME CONCLUSION NEXT WEEK.
1t is now thought 10 be certain that
the commission, at the meeting next Mon
day or Tuesday. will do one OF two
things-i. e.. either agree to the cession
Of the PHILIPPINES or note disagreement
and dissolve the meeting, for the admin
istration Is not disposed to further toie-
rate delay and has so Instructed the
United States commissioners. The latter
sent a long cabIegram to-day in cypher.
The decyphering occupied the entire day,
and mean time there were wild rumors
touching the nature OF its contents. As
a matter of fact, ii was nothing more
than a statement of the Spanish side
of the controversy relating to the Phliip~
pines There was a desire to take issue
with the American commission as 10 the
nrotocol clause relative to the disposition
Of tho Philippines, and much quibbling,
accompanied by quotations from French
spanish. and other European authorities,
i'm order to demonstrate TO the Americans
inst what an English word might mean
The Americans will take no notice OF
this kind of hair-splitting plea, but VIII
call upon the Spanish commissioners 10
make answer TO the American propOsi-
ton for the cession Of the Philippines.