The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1898-11-24

Washington, Nov. 90. - News Of =
mixed character came to the navy de-
partment yesterday from Admiral
Dewey touching the situation in the
Philippines. The admiral SEM two Of
his warships, the Charleston and the
Concord, some time ago to the south
ward from Manila to ascertain
whether there was truth in the reports
that the insurgents had expended their
activities in that direction. Yesterday
he cabled as follows:
Manila, Nov. 1S.-SCcretary of the
Navy, Washington: Charleston and
Concord arrived from IIoilo Glass re-
ports that the entire island of Panav
is in possession of insurgents ex,.pt
Iloilo. which is defended by 500 Span
iSh troops. All foreign citizens there
beg for American protection. The is
land Of NcgrOs has declared indepCnd-
ence and desires American protectors
ate. Dewey"
Glass is commander of the Charles
ton. SO far nothing has been done by
the administration toward curbing
the insurgents in their operations save
moral representations from the Amer
lean commanders to Agunaldo, in
which it has been pointed out to him
that it would be good policy on ac-
count of the probability of the
Annexation Of the Islands
By the United States to pursue
course that would not be obnoxious to
the United States. But the situation is
serious enough to be critical. So far
as the SpaniardS are concerned they
can take care of themselves. while the
foreign residents are regarded differ
emily. 1t IS not yet considered nCcPs-
Sary for the United States to intervene
to prevent llOilO. the second in i'm
portance on the island, from being loot
ed. the United States troops being
cstODpCd by the uSageS of war from
moving beyond their present posses
sion. The immediate effect of the
state of affairs may be 10 hasten action
by the Paris conference, for it is only
by The termination Of that tribunal
that the United States can come to the
relief Of the beleaguered Spaniards in
Iloilo and other points. 1t is said TO be
n fact. however that total disagree
ment at Paris may result in spced.er
action than if the commissioners agree
ullbl Nllt mann IN iliI l'iNN Va h'iN = III
fppine ceSsion. for in such case several
additional sessions will probably be re-
Quired in order to
Arrange the Details
of the treaty. 1t is now thought to he
certain that the commission at meet
ing next Monday or Tuesday will do
one oe two things, l. e., either agree 10
the cession of the Philippines, or not
agree and dissolve altogether, as the
administration is not disposed TO toll
crate further delay, and has so in
formed its commissioners. The latter
sent n long cablegram in cipher. The
deciphering occupied the entire day,
and. meanwhile. there were wild ru-
mors touching the nature OF its con-
tents. AS matter of fact it was
notI ing more than a verbose statement
OF the Spanish side of the question re-
lating 10 the Philippines. There was
q renewal of the attempts to take ad'
vantage of the Americans as to the
real meaning OF the protocol cause re-
garding the disposition of the Philip
pines, and much quoting from French.
Spanish and other European languages
in the attempt TO demonstrates 10
Americans what ar English word
might mean. The latter will take no
notice of this kind of a hair-spllttlnS
plea. but at to-day's meeting will call
on the Spanish commissioners TO make
answer to the American proposition 10
cede the Philippines, probably allowing
until Monday or Tuesday only for
final answer on that subject.