The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-12-30
A SPANISH TRICK.
Gen. Merritt Thinks IIOiIO Was Sur
rendered to Embarrass America.

CHICAGO, Dec 29.--Maj Gen, Wesley
Merritt believes the surrender of Iloilo by
General Rios to the insurgent Filipinos may
have been an intentional move on the part
of the Spanish to make it difficult for the
United States TO gain control of the Philip
pines. Lam very much surprised to hear
of the surrender of Iloilo," said General
Merritt last evening. Il did not know that
Rios was so hard pressed by the besiegers.
1t would seem, though, that he might have
held out until the American forces came. 1t
is, of course, impossible to predict what
bearing this move will have on the ultimate
disposition of the islands. The insurgents
occupy so much of them, and claim so much
more, that one city more or less can have no
great influence, although Iloilo, it is true,
is the second largest city of the group.
1.-The surrender of this city to the insur-
gents and the evacuation of the other sta
tions in the southern islands, in accordance,
as is claimed by the Spanish, with orders
from Madrid, makes it look as if the Span
ish were trying to make it harder for the
United States to control the islands. Rios
had no right to surrender to the insurgents,
unless, indeed, his command was on the
verge of starvation or in some equally tight
place. When Manila fell all the islands in
the archipelago went with it, and though the
surrender then made on paper might not
have amounted to much and might have
been terminated should the Spanish have
felt themselves sufficiently strong yet the
signing of the protocol some six days later
prevented any further movements, either
On the part of the Americans to gain further
control of the islands, or on the part of the
Spanish to attempt to wrest any of the sur
rendered territory from their victors. Con-
sequently, Ross only move should have
been to turn over Iloilo to the United States
troops.
LAS to the presumption that General Otis
will demand the surrender of Ioilo into his
hands from the insurgents, that is very pos
sible if the government directs him to do
so. But otherwise he will have to wait for
instructions. The idea the insurgents have
is that the more territory they can assert
that they hold, the better their claim to the
right of independence when the time comes
for them to treat with the United States
regarding mode of government. accordingly,
when Manila fell, Aguinaldo ordered the
siege, no doubt, and sent the detach-
ments which have been besieging the city
ever since 1t may be that the insurgents
have so invested the city that the Spanish
troops have been absolutely cut off from
supplies There were, / believe. about 400
Spanish troops in the city-not much of
force as against the large number of insur-
gents. When the war was anticipated the
Spanish concentrated their forces mostly at
Manila, Rios and his men being of the few
not so mobilized. Ioilo is large city, quite
a business center and there are good many
foreign establishments there.
1T is quite probable the insurgents wish
f,os,. sgY,d hold
them as basis of future negotiations with
the United States. But they may find them
selves attempting the impossible. The
United States certainly is bound to turn over
the prisoners to Spain in accordance with
the treaty. and if the insurgents seek to
block the fulfillment of the provisions of
that pact it is very probable they will wish
they hadn't And it might be better for this
government to force them to deliver up the
prisoners, for there is nothing those people
respect more than force, if 1t is successful"
General Merritt believes the Filipinos are
not ready to assume self-government, nor
even to act jointly with the United States
in administration Of affairs. 1T is my opin-
ion that the Filipinos Will not be able to par
tieipate wisely in responsibilities of govern
ment until at least the next generation"
said he. Il think the Filipinos are much
superior to the Cubans, though l speak with
limited knowledge of the latter. The native
Fihpnos arc great imtators very quick to
learn, and under the inspiration of a good
example viii develop along natural and wise
lines. The trouble has been they have not
had good examples set. The Filipinos seem
TO hold the Jesuits and native priests In
much respect and confidence. The Jesuits
particularly have done considerable for the
people educationally"
Admiral Dewey. according to the general.
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