The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-12-29
Serious Trouble Possible if FiEipinOs
States Troops Reach IIOilO.
SPANIARDS At ZAMBOANGO
REITERATED UNDER INSTRUCTIONS
FROM MADRID AUTHORITIES.
Gen. Otis Meeting with Difficulty in
Securing Release of Spanish Pris-
Oners-SaiIOrs for Dewey.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 2S.--The situation in
the Philippines has become more compi-
Gated by the action of the Spanards at
Iloilo in surrendering to the insurgents. Off
caal confirmation of the surrender reached
the War Department about noon in a dis
patch from General Otis, commander of the
United States military forces in the Philip
pines. 1t appears that the American forces
had arrived too late on the scene and that
the insurgents had added to the difficulty of
the problems already presented by hosting
their flag over the city, which they have
been besieging for months. Following is
General Otiss cablegram, which is dated
Manila, Dec. %:
Sent Colonel Potter on fast vessel to
1loilo on the oath to communicate with Span
ish General Rios Latter evacuated on the
evening of the oath and Potter was thirty
eight hours too late. The insurgents took
possession of the city on the 26th and Potter
found Aguinaldo's flag flying. Cannot now
report probable results; will not hear from
there for four days, as there is no cable
communication. The Spanish forces have
evacuated all stations in southern islands,
except zamboanga, Mindanao, by orders, as
they say, from Madrid.
The evacuation by the Spanards of all the
Philippine ports, as reported by General
Otis, although doubtless inspired by de-
sire to secure their safety by concentration
undoubtedly has done much to complicate
the problem already presented the War De-
partment of extending the military jurisdic-
tion of the United States over the islands.
1t will now be necessary to expedite the
execution of the original plans, and it may
1aca full
portant events will have happened in the
Philippines. 1t is presumed that General
Otis will demand the surrender of Iloilo into
his hands. and this demand may at once
raise the issue between the insurgents and
our own government of possession of the
islands
The province of Iloilo is set down in the
official directory as having population of
472,O00 and the city is the second sea-
port of Importance in the Philippine group.
1t is located on a river navigable for yes
sells of fifteen feet draught so that very few
of our gunboats would be available to assist
the troops in case it should be necessary
to take forcible possession of the city.
The Spanards have chosen strong place
for the concentration of their troops in the
town of zamboanga, which, as the reports
here indicate, is strongly fortified and pos
sessed of considerable strength from de-
fensive point of view. 1t is not doubted that
they will be able to maintain themselves
for an indefinite period of time against the
insurgents, presumng they are not cut off
from obtaining supplies from the sea. The
town itself has population of 2l,OOO in
habitants
This morning United States Consul Pratt
at Singapore. cabled to the State Depart
ment: "Iloilo taken on the oath. Spanish
fled to Borneo." General Otis's dispatch
however, shows that Consul Pratt is in error
as to the destination of the Spaniards. The
officials at the War Department still de-
cline to make public General Otis's first
telegram of yesterday, but there is no doubt
that he is meeting with great difficulty in his
effort to secure the release of the Spanish
prisoners held by the Ifilipinos. Itebegins to
appear clearly that a considerable element
among the Filipino leaders-probabIy a ma
jority-ara disposed to use these unfortunate
prisoners az a basis for negotiations with
the United States government, making their
release conditional on certain more or less
important concessions demanded by them
1T is not yet a foregone conclusion that the
terms cannot be arranged by private con-
ferences in Manila to secure the release of
these men, but the United States being now
pledged by treaty to free them, must resort
to other means if peaceful representations
fail General Otis has been instructed on
this point and the War Department has con-
fidence in his experience and sound judg-
ment, and believing that, from his presence
on the scene he is better capable of deal
ing with the situation than officials here,
has confined itself to a statement of what
must be done towards securing the prison
ers. leaving it to General Otis to devise the
ways and means and carrying out the plans