The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-11-19
SITUATION IS CRITICAL
Affairs in the Philippines Coming
to q Head.
A PARTING OF THE WAYS
Action Must Be fastened In Paris--No
Hsir-spittine VIII Be Permitted.
Spain Must Answer by Mon
day or Tuesday.

Washington. Nov. 1S.-News OF a
mixed character came to the navy de-
partment to-day from Admiral Dewey
touching the situation in the Philip
pines. The admiral sent two OF his
warships. the Charleston and the Con-
cord. some time ago to the southwark
from Manila 20 ascertain whether there
was truth in the rcpor.s that the insur-
gents had expanded their activities in
that direction. To-day ne cabled as
follows to the secretary OF the navy:
Charleston and Concord arrived to-
day from Iloilo. Glass reports that the
entire island OF Pana Is in possession
of insurgents, except Iloilo. which II
defended by 500 Spanish troops. All for
eign citizens there beg for American
protection. The island OF Negros had
declared independence and desires
American protectorate."
Glass is commander OF the Charles
ton. SO far nothing has been done by
the administration towards curbing the
insurgents In their operations save YER
bal representations from the American
commanders to Aguinaldo. in which It
has been pointed out to him that 1t
would be good policy In view Of the
probability OF the annexation of the
Islands by the United States to pursue
a course that would not be obnoxious
20 the United States. But the situation
is now realized to be critical. SO far
as the Spaniards are concerned. per-
haps they can be left TO take care OF
themselves. but the foreign residents at
Iloilo are differently regarded.
The difficulty In the situation is that
with the best intentions to intervene To
protect Europeans and other foreigners
to save the city of Iloilo. the second In
Importance In the group. from looting.
the United States forces appear to be
estopped under the rules OF war from
moving their positions. Such Is the con-
struction placed upon the clause in the
protocol relating to a suspension OF hos
tilities The immediate effect of this
state of affairs may be to hasten action
in the Paris conference. for IT is only
by the termination Of that tribunal that
the United States can come TO the re-
lief of the beleaguered Spaniards at
Iloilo and other points.
IL is said to be fact however. that
n total disagreement at Paris may re-
suit In speedier action than IL the com-
missioners agree upon the main priaci-
pies OF the Philippine cession. for IN
such case several additional sessions
probably would be required In order TO
arrange the details of the treaty. IL Is
now thought to be certain that the COM
mission, at a meeting next Monday or
Tuesday. will do one OF two things, l. e..
either agree to the cession OF the Phil
ippines. or note a disagreement and dis
solve the meeting. for the administra-
tion is not disposed to tolerate further
delay and has so instructed the United
States commissioners.
IN
day in cipher. The deciphering occupied
the entire official day and in the mean
time there were wild rumors touching
the nature of it's contents. As n matter
OF fact, IL was nothing more than an
extremely verbose statement OF the
Spanish side of the case relating to the
Philippines. There was renewal OF
the intention to take issue Of the Amer
lean contention as to the meaning Of
the protocol clause relating to the dis
position OF the Philippines and much
uuibbling, accompanied by quotations
from French. Spanish and other Euro
pean languages. in the EFFORT to demon
strate TO Americans just what an En-
glish word might mean. The latter viii
take no notice of this kind OF hair
splitting plea, but at to-morrow's meet
ing will call on the commissioners to
make answer to the American proposi-
tion to- cede the Philippines and by al
lowing until Monday or Tuesday only
for a final and responsive answer on
that point.