The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-09-12

TIE policy Of permitting the Insurgents
n occupy The Spanish positions has been
fruitful in many difficulties. NOT the least
- which = the stimulus given 70 the cen
ce.t Of the NATIVES, vh9 declare themselves
sonquerors u Manila. although they cap
tnred net a single position when .he town
was taken.
Gen. OTIS has attacked the compiled ton
q qaest. tons ne incurred from Gen. MeI-
r.;t. his predecessor, with remarkable Ell
ergy and decision. ana is rapidly establish
ing order in every depar t-,eat where COM
parat.ye chaos ruled before.
He has besa fully occupied with matters
more Intimately concerning the military
government Of Manila, and only recently
has he been able 10 study exhaUstively
the insurgeat question. and TO satisfy him
self regarding the equity OF the insurgent
claims, SO as 10 solve a problem practically
unapproached heretofore.
Aguinaldo has pers.s.entiy demanded, IN
terms not too polite. various impossible
concessions. for example. an occupation
Of the governor generals palace. j written
assurance that the insurgents will be per-
mifted 70 occupy permanently their mill
tary positions around Manila, and protec-
ton for the insuTgent vessels by the Amer
;can deet-wlth many other Claims. in
Guiding an innocent demand for a share
Of the booty captured by the Americans
al Manila.
After careful review Of the situation,
Gen. Otis arrived az the logical conclusion
that the insurgents have no right 20 oc
eupy the suburbs OF Manila ana tha, Agui-
naldo's claims have tine support OF neither
equity nor reason. He has therefore cate
goricaly refused 10 consider Aguinaldos
demands. and today sent him an ultima
tun in terms plainly comprehensive and
authoritative that ne must withdraw his
troops from the suburbs before tomorrow
afternoon or suffer the consequences OF re-
fusai-
The answer viii probably be that Agui-
naldo 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
low stale from too frequent use, cooceals
much truth Il is an undouhted fact that
Aguinaldo has but feeble hold on the
organization. His power is fast waning.
and the Insurgents are threatened with dis
Indignation iato opposing factions unless
some leaders are soon discovered who are
able 20 harmonic the conflicting personal
interests.
I. hot - .xf,4
revolutionary government will be offered
TO Cajetano Arellano al the congress al
Ma!olos On September Is. Avellano is a
lawyer OF excellent repute-,he one MAJ
among the Filippinos VINO Is universally
respected. Hitherto he has consistently
avoided politics. and il is doubtful! whether
he viii undertake the task OF steering
Tudderless ship
Whatever may happen at the congress,
there IS 10 possible appearance that the
natives are capable Of self-governuent. The
educated class neither desire nor hope for
complete Independence, and viii welcome
any protectorate which secures the people
good government without a tinse Of Spaa-
ish methods. The masses Of the revolu-
,!onists OF the other hand. are bitterly
opposed to any solution OF the question
that does not promise untrammeled indie
.enaenoe.
In the present elation of a fictitious vic
tory. believing themselves capable OF rul-
ing the whole archipelago without advice
or assistance tIom any one. they entirely
forget, as IS evident from the tone of their
official news and from their daily actions.
that they owe 20 the Americans the chief
clements Of success which they now boast.
This bind concet Is a racial defect II *
the prominent, and controlling weakness
Of their character. The men ars apparent
iy inexhaustib,e. but the money Is want
ing The upper classes have not yet Of
feted any notable contributions to the rev
olu,io1ary treasury, because they are not
convinced % the ultimate recovery Of their
money The inactivity OF the insurgents
in the northern provinces ana the totally
FIR, sp3asible nature Of their government
seriously threaten foreign commercial III
;eges's here. which are very important
One English house alone has over a MT
ION dollars worth - products awaiting
shipment EYcrybo Is tIespon3ent con
corning the possible action Of the proposed
congress ard the outcome q the present
strained relations between the Americans
ard the insurgents. The situation is con-
s.deved vary critical
Commissioners Gable for Instruction
SAN JUAN DE PORTO RICO. SPIT. Il