The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-12-30
QUIET REIGNS AT ILOILQ
CABINET PLEDGED TO INSIST
on INDEPENDENCE.
TO REFUSE SURRENDER OF PRISONERS
Nothing Heard an Washington from Otis Amer
ican Forces 2, 500, Insurgents 10 600.
No Fears Felt that Our Boys
Can not Hold their Own.
Can not Hold their Own.


the occupation of Iloilo by the insurgents
have just been received here. The
American expedition commanded by
Brigadier General Miller arrived there
yesterday and found that the Spaniards
had evacuated the place on Saturday, OH
board the steamer Churnco and had been
transferred to the Island Of Mindanao,
in accordance with an agreement arrived
at with the insurgents. The latter en-
tered Iloilo and occupied the trenches on
Monday ut noon. They Immediately es-
tablished a municipal government ana
placed guards over foreign property. The
insurgents were fairly quiet and orderly,
although there was some loOting at
night, but the shooting of five of the
natives had an exemplary effect upon
the rest.
The only foreign warship in the harbor
was the German second class cruiser
Irene.
The new Filipino Cabinet is composed
as follows:
President of the Cabinet and Minister
of Foreign Affairs: Senior Mabani.
Minister of War: Senor LIMA.
Minister of the Interior: Senior Ara
nota
Minister of Agriculture and Com.
merce: Senor Buonoamino.
Minister of Public Works: Senior
Canon.
CABINET FOR INDEPENDENCE.
London, Dec 29.-From Filipino
source, representative of the Asso-
ciated Press is informed that the new
Filipino Cabinet is much stronger from
the insurgent point Of view than the last,
inasmuch as all the new ministers are
pledged TO insist upon the independence
of the islands, and to refuse to liberltc
the Spanish prisoners. 1t is added that
the Filipinos will never release these
prisoners while thousands of FI,ipin0s
are dying in the Spanish convict settle.
ments of Fernando Po. the Ladrones
and the Caroline Islands,"
NO WORD FROM GENERAL OTIS.
Washington, Dee. 29.-The War De-
partment is expecting definite word from
General Otis within the next 2l hours
as to what has occurred ut Iloio, for by
that time General Otis will have heard
from General Miller, i'll commlnd OF the
American force sent Oh this expedition.
The officials about the War Depart
ment do not appear to he apprchensivc
over the results, and there is no evil
dence of tension OF alarm, although it il
recognized that the situation at Iloilo is
one which may bring about Il sharp aud
possibly Il decisive issue between the in
surgents and the United States,
Up to the close of office hours to-day
it was said at the War Department
that nothing had been received from
General Otis bearing on the military
situation. All that had come was Il re-
sponse to an earlier dispatch conveying
orders, the reply giving assurance that
definite news could he conveyed within
the next twenty-four hours. What Gen
eral Miller will do as to taking possess
sion of the city, either with force or
without, is not officially disclosed, and
indeed it is likely that considerable dis
cretion is lodged with the commanding
officer as to what steps should be taken
But in the event of clash between the
United States forces and the insurgents,
the War Department officials say there
could lee no dOubt~as to the outcome, as
the Seventeenth infantry, who are
among the regulars, have a reputation
for their fighting ability. The American
force numbers about $500 as against an
estimated force Of some 10000 insur-
gents, but no doubt is expressed as to
the adequacy of our force.