The daily morning journal and courier., 1898-09-12
SITUATION IN PHILIPPINES
INSUFFICIENT CONQUEST OF THE IS-
 LAND OF LUZON.

LAND OF LUZON.
 Manila Correspondent of London Times Says 1t Is Rapidly Approaching Conn pletion Rebels Control Every Foot of the Islands Except Manila, Cavite and Small Part of the Province of AIbay- AguinaIdo Must Withdraw from Sub- urbs of Manila.
 London, Sept. 12.--The Manila corre- spondent of the Times, telegraphing cn September g, says: "The insurgent con quest of the Island of Luzon is rapidly approaching completion. Recent au- thentic reports announce the capture of successive Spanish positions, and at present the rebels control every foot of the island except Manila, Cavite and 8 small portion of the province of Albay. They hold over nine thousand Spanish prisoners and have recently captured several thousand rifles, some cannon, large quantity of ammunition and sev- eral small armed steamers. The Span iards held out valoriously, but were fighting against the inevitable.
 Tt is undeniable that the action of the insurgents in pursuing the cam paign after an armistice was declared has caused much useless suffering and destruction of property and has ami Inflated their claim to be considered in any respect as the allies of the Ameri- cans. Their motive has been two-fold first, an implacable hatred of the Spanish, with an innate racial thirst for revenge, and, secondly, their ambi- tion to place themselves on record be- fore the world as a successful revolu tionary government and as competent masters of Luzon province. They are now free to withdraw their troops, to make an expedition against Panay and to capture Iloilo. By continuing the campaign now, regardless of the armis- tice, they put themselves in the wrong with everybody, just as, by crowding into the suburbs of Manila and refusing to vacate the same unless compelled by superior force, they have put them selves in the wrong with the Ameri- cans.
 Their action Is doubtless due partly to a disorganization of their forces, which, by their own confession, consist ed of a congregation of independent units with chiefs, each ambitious of power and distinction, and all strug gling for positions which will secure for 1xr ntt y,ie,n Hri. +n fortune. This Reorganization, which naturally affects the irresponsible in- dividual soldiers, has been constantly fermenting the irritation resulting from the dual occupation in the suburbs of Manila. The situation has been impos- sible from the beginning, and contro- versies have been avoided only by the patience of the American troops. 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 conceit of the natives, who consider themselves the conquerors of Manila, although they captured not single po sition when the town was taken.
 General Otis has attacked the com
 
 General Merritt, his predecessor, with remarkable energy and decision and is rapidly establishing order in every department where comparative chaos ruled before. He has been fully occu- pied with matters more intimately concerning the military government of Manila; and only recently has he been able to study exhaustively the insur- gent question and to satisfy himself regarding their claims and to solve problem practically unapproached here tofore.
 "Aguinaldo has consistently demand ed in terms not too polite various im- possible concessionsfor example,a ,an oc- cupation of the governor generals pal alec and other palaces and a written assurance that the insurgents will be allowed to occupy permanently their military position. Protection is also asked for the insurgent vessels by the American heet-with many other claims, including an increase in their share of booty.
 After a careful review of the situ- ation General Otis arrived at the log
 
 no right to occupy the suburbs of Man. fla and that Aguinaldo's claims have the support of neither equity nor req son. He has therefore categorically refused to consider Aguinaldo's de- mands and to-day sent him an ultima tum that he must withdraw his troops from the suburbs before the fifteenth or suffer the consequences 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 reasons why they cannot remain at Manila. This temporizing excuse, although now stale from too frequent use, conceals much truth. It is an undoubted fact that Aguinaldo had but a feeble hold on the organiza- tion His power is fast waning; and the insurgents are threatened with dis integration into organizing factions unless some of the leaders are soon discovered who are able to harmonize the conflicting personal interests.