The sun., 1898-11-19
REVOLT IN THE PHILIPPINES
SPAIN rs NO LONGER IN CONTROL
OF THE ARCHIPELAGC.

Admiral Dewey Says That tho Island of
Pnnny, Except the Port of noilo, Is in
Possession of the Insurgents, md That
Negros Has Declared Independence
and Desires m American Protectorate.
WASHINGTON. Nov. 1s.-The Navy Depart
ment to-day received this despatch from Rear
Admiral Dewey. dated Manila. Nov. 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 800 Spanish
troops. All foreign citizens there beg for
American protection. The island OF Negros
has declared independence and desires Amer
lean protectorate."
This despatch was first received by the Navy
Department yesterday. but the cipher words
had become badly mixed in transmission. and
Admiral Dewey was requested to repeat il.
The repeated message Is the one given above
and is misleading. In that the word to-day, -
connected with the arrival OF 1.-THE Charleston and
the Concord. should read yesterday" The
information contained In the telegram caused
considerable interest In Government circles.
1t confirmed reports previously received, but
not based on intelligence 80 Trustworthy as
that furnished by Capt. Glass OF the Charles
ton. that there was q general revolt against
Spain in the Philippines.
On the whole the Government is much graft
fed over the condition OF affairs described in
Admiral Dewey's message. His statement
about the successful uprising OF the natives in
the island OF Panay confirms the contention
OF the Administration and the American
Peace Commission in Paris that Spain no
longer controlled the archipelago. Iloilo Ia
the second most important port and military
post OF Spain in the Philippines, Manila being
hn prcti In i,,,r I1pi1a Ell
rison has been maintained. and, in anticipation
OF the condition OF which Admiral Dewey tells.
the Spanish Government recently landed there
a large quantity OF arms and ammunition. in
cludng mum Der OF machine guns. With Iloilo
gone. Spain's claim to sovereignty over the ISL
ands will have disappeared. and as the Spanish
Peace Commissioners have been basing their
strongest opposition to the American demands
on the ground that their Government was still
in actual authority in every part Of the islands.
with the exception OF the city. bay and harbor
OF Manila the fall OF the place second In i'm
portance will not leave the Madrid Government
leg to stand on in pursuing that line Of con-
tention. That Iloilo is likely to succumb b be-
fore long is indicated by Admiral Dewey's
statement that all foreign citizens there are
begging for American protection.
The Administration is particularly pleased
over the action Of the natives of the island Of
Negros in expressing desire for an American
protectorate. The inhabitants OF that island
are reported to be OF a different race from tho
Tagals. darker in skin and more truculent
Some apprehension was felt that these people
might prove q serious problem to the United
States after the Philippines had been formally
annexed to this country. but that danger APP
pears to have been removed by their wish to be
governed by the Americans.
That the advices sent by Admiral Dewey will
have some effect in bringing the Spanish
Peace Commissioners to realization of the
hopelessness OF their contentious Is believed
in official circles. The Secretary OF State and
the Secretary Of the Navy had a conference
about the matter this afternoon. but no action
was taken other than to send copy of
the message to Mr.. Day. Chairman OF the
American Peace Commission. for use. II neces-
sary. at the meeting OF the Joint Commission
to be held tomorrow. Care was taken by tho
Navy Department that the despatch should not
be made public in time to get into tomorrow
mornings editions OF European newspapers.
Authority will doubtless be given Admiral
Dewey to prevent massacre at Iloilo. The
exercise of this authority, it is contended.
would emphasize the American claim that
Spanish rule in the Philippines has ended.
The Charleston and the Concord recently
started on a tour OF the Islands Of the Philip
pine group to observe and report on conditions.
sAGAsTA THINKS THE NEWS Is EXAGGERATED.
Special Gable D,spdteh TO THE suN.
MADRID. Nov. 19.-Prime Minister Sagasta
visited the Queen Regent this afternoon and
informed her as to current events Senior Sa-
gasta thinks that the news from the Visayas
islands is exaggerated.