The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-12-30
But Definite Word is Expected in the
Next Twenty-FOur Hours.
THE NEW lNSURGENT CABINET
Is Stronger Than the Old One, and
VIII Insist on Independence for
the ISlands-Gencra1 Merritt
Says the Surrender May
Have Been a Piece OF
Spanish Spite.

WASHINGTON, December 29.-The War
Department is expecting definite word
from General Otis within the next TWEEN
ty-four hours as to what has occurred at
Iloilo. for by that time General Otis Will
have heard from General Miller. in COM
mand Of the American forces sent on
this expedition.
The officials about the War Depart
ment do not appear 20 be apprehensive
over the results. and there Is no evi-
dence Of tension or alarm, although il
Is recognized that the situation al Iloilo
IS one which may bring about a sharp
and possibly decisive engagement be-
tween the insurgents and the United
states.
DEFINITE NEWS SOON.
Up to the close Of office hours to-day
It was said at the War Department tnat
nothing had been received from General
Otis bearing on the military situation.
All that had come was in response to an
earlier dispatch conveying orders, the
reply giving assurance that definite news
could be conveyed within the next twen-
ty-four hours.
What General Miller will do as to TAX
ing possession of the city, either with
force or without is not disclosed and
indeed il Is likely that considerable dis
cretion is lodged with the commanding
officer as 10 what steps should be taken.
But I'm the event Of a clash between the
United States forces and the insurgents
tho War Department officials say there
could be no doubt as 10 the outcome, as
tho Eighteenth Infantry. who are
among the regulars have n reputation
for their fighting ability. The American
force numbers about 800 as against an
estimated force Of some 1000 insur-
gents. but no doubt IS expressed as to
the ability of our force. {
DETAILS OF SURRENDER.
MANILA. Dec 29.-Detaus regarding
the occupation Of lloilo by the insurgents
have just been received here The Amer
lean expedition. commanded by Brigadier-
General Miller arrived there yesterday
and found that the Spaniards had evac-
uated the place on Saturday. on board
the steamer Churncaa. and had been
transferred TO the Island Of Mindarao,
in accordance with the agreement ar
rived at with the insurgents.
INSURGENTS ENTER.
The latter entered uono and occuoied
tie trenches on Monday at noon. They
ernment and placed guards over foreign
property. The insurgents were fairly
quiet and orderly although there vas
some lCoting at night. but the shooting 81
FIVE Of the natives had an exemplary cf-
feet upon the rest. The only foreign war
ship i'm the harbor was the German sec
ond-class cruiser Irene.
NEW CABINET
The new Filipino Cabinet is composed
as follows:
President OF the Cabinet and Minister
of Foreign Affairs Senor Mabani. Minis
ter of War SenOr Luna Minister OF the
Interior. Senior Aranota; Minister of
Agriculture and Commerce. Senor Buon-
camino.
MORE INDEPENDENT.
LONDON. Dec 29.-From Filipino
source a representative Of the Asso-
ciated Press is informed that the new
Filipino cabinet nj ch stronger th1l
the last. inasmuch as all tho new min
listers are pledged TO insist upon the indie
pendence OF the islands and TO refuse TO
liberate .he Spasish prisoners.
It is added that the Filpinos VIII never
release these prisoners while thousands
OF Filipnos are dying in the Spanish
convict settlements OF Fernando Po. the
GEN. MERRITTs OPINION.
CHICAGO. Dec. 29-Major
Wesley Merritt, who is spending the
holidays in this city. was very much sur
prised to hear Of the surrender Of Iloilo
by General Rios TO the insurgents. Gen
eral Merritt believes the surrender may
have been an intentional move on the
part of the Spaniards TO make II difficult
Frr l.. Tutf a
the Philippine Islands
1T is. OF course impossible" continued
General Merritt ito predict what bearing
this move will have on the ultimate dis
position Of the Islands.
General Rios had no right 10 surrender
to the insurgents unless, indeed, his
command was on the verge Of starvation
or in some equally tight place.
ALL FELL TOGETHER.
when Manila fell all the islands in
the archipelago went with 1t, 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 move
ments. either on the part OF the Amer
leans TO gain further control Of the isl
ands or on the part Of the Spanish TO
attempt to wrest any Of the surrendered
territory from their victors. Consequent
". Rios only move should have been to
turn over noio to the United States
troops.
AN INSURGEN IDEA.
'''rhe 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