The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-11-17
He Was Afraid They Would Loot,
PIunder and Murder,
AFFAIRS IN ILOILO CRITICAL.
The Spaniards There Are i'm Danger of
determination by the Natives and
We Are POwcrlcss to Interfere
as that Section is Not Under
American Control by
the Protocol.

LONDON. Nov. 16.-Gen. Wesley Mer-
ritt. L. 5. A., who IS still In this city,
has read with a great deal of interest
the long letter Of complaint against
American officials in the Philippine Is
lands addressed by so-callcd Philippine
Junta of Hong Kong, to President Nc
Kinloy and the people. I'm discussing the
FHlpinos the American general refers
TO them as children and says it would
be impossible to establish American
government in the islands. lie adds that
they must have some form Of colonial
government, similar to the British CO.
lonial governments.
MADE NO PROMISES.
REGARDING the complaints OF the III
ipinos. the General adds: 1T was impos-
sible 20 recognize the insurgents ana
made fl a point not 10 do SO, as knew IL
would lead % complications. Admiia
Dewey. after my arrival, pursued the
same course. What was done before IS
not for me to comment on. l purposely
did not recognize Aguinaldo or MS
troops. nor did l use them In any way.
Aguinaldo did not ask 90 see me unul
ten days after my arrival After thal
/ was too much occupied 10 see him.
In talking with leading Fllipinos
/ told them the United states
had no promises 10 make, but tnat -
might be assured that the governinl az
and people Of the United Sta,es would
treat them fairly.
This was because the United states Is
I'm the habit Of dealing fairly with all
struggling peoples. and not because had
been authorized 10 say anything ct the
kind
DID NOT WANT THEIR HELP.
We purposely did not give the insur-
gents notice Of our attack on Manila
because we did not need their cO-ope.a-
tion and did not purpose 10 have IT, we
We're moved by fear that they might loot
and plunder and possibly murder Agm-
naldOs subordinate leaders, IN convers-
ing with American officers frequently
said they intended 10 cut the throats or
all the Spauiards i'm Manila.
Aeulnaldo. himself. wrote n complain
ing letter saying the insurgents had been
denied their share Of the booty what
ever he may have meant by that l took
no notice of this letter, nor DO l think
the subject now raised is a matter for
discussion between Agunaldo and any
representative of the American govern
ment
sPANIARDS IN PERIL
WASHINGTON, Nov i5.-Reports OF a
somewhat disquieting nature have been
received from General Otis. in command
at Manila. lie says that the province OF
Ioilo. In the Island OF Panay which Is
technically occupied by the Spaniards. Is
surrounded by the insurgents and that
fears are entertained that the Spanish
population and garrison will be massa-
cred by the insurgents. The capital OF
the province IS 355 miles from Manila,
but this and the other islands, with the
exception of Manila and its adjacent
country is not under the control OF the
Americans.
BEYOND CONTROL.
Heretofore the United States officers
have tried 10 prevent disturbances be-
tween the insurgents and the Spaniards
through the good Offices and counsel. The
indications are. however, that the present
situation I'm iliOlO cannot be controlled
by the United States army al Manila or
the insurgent leaders there. and If seri-
Gus consequences age 10 b. ayerted. some
other method viii have 10 be adopted
The troops under General Otis are not
available for any such duty and under
the terms Of the protocol pending peace
negotiations l. Is not desirable 90 send n
force from the army 20 the Island OF
Panay. There Is 10 intention at present
OF sending additional troops 20 General
Otis. but the situation Is such as 70
strengthen the determination Of the ad-
ministration not to reduce the available
force now under his command.