Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-11-19
BEG AMERICAN PROTECTION.
Philippine Islands Not Under American Pro.
lection. Are Anxious for il.

Washington. Nov. 1S-News of mixed
character came to the navy department.
today, from Admiral Dewey touching the
sen t@o Of his warsRhps The re
and the Concord. some time ago. to the
southwest. from Manila. to ascertain
whether there was any truth in the re-
ports that the insurgents had expended
their activity in that direction. Today, he
cabled as follows:
Manila. Nov IS.
To Secretary of Navy. Washington:
Charleston and Concord arrived. today,
from Iloilo. Glass reports that the entire
island of Panay is in possession of insur-
gents except Iloilo, which is defended by
there, beg for American protection, The
island of Negroes has declared indepen-
ience and desires American protectorate.
tSigned DEWEY.
Glass is the commander of the Charles
ton. So far nothing has been done by the
administration towards curbing the in
surgents in their operations, save verbal
representations from the American COM
been pointed out to him that 1t would be
good policy. in view of the probability of
The annexation of the islands to the
United States, to pursue course that
would not be obnoxious to the United
states.
But the situation is now realized to be
critical. So far as the Spaniards are
concerned. perhaps they can be left 10
AXE care of themselves. but the foreign
nesdents in Iloilo are differently regard
ID. The difficulty in the situation is that,
protect the Europeans and other foreign
ars and to save the city of Iloilo, the sec
md of importance in the Philippine
group, from looting.. the United States
tppear to be estopped, under the rules OF
var, from moving from their positions.
Such is the construction placed upon the
clause regarding suspension of hos
.ilities.
The immediate effect of this state of
affairs may be to hasten action in the
Paris conference. for it is only by the
:erminatio of that tribunal that the
United States can come to the relief of
he beleaguered Spaniards in Iloilo and at
other points. 1t is said to be a fact, how
ever, that a total disagreement at Paris
commissioners agreed upon the main
principles of the Philippines cession. for
n such case several additional sessions
probably would be required in order to
arrange the details of the treaty.
1t is now thought to be certain that the
commission at meeting, Monday or
Tuesday. will agree to the cession of the
Philippines or note disagreement and
dissolve the meeting, for the administra-
ion is not disposed to treat further delay
md has so instructed the United States
commissioners.
The latter sent a long cablegram, to-
lay, in cipher. The deciphering occupied
he entire official day and meantime there
we're wild rumors touching the nature Of
Us COHIcHtS. AS q matter u IdcC IL WIS
nothing more than an extremely verbose
tatemen't of the Spanish side of the case
'elaUng to the Philippines.
There was a renewal of the attempt to
AXE issue with the American contention
rs to the meaning of the protocol clause
'elative to the disposition of the Philip
>ines, and much quibbling, accompanied
~ quotations from French. Spanish and
other European languages, in the effort
20 demonstrate to the Americans just
what an English word might mean.
The latter will take no notice of this
Kind of hair-splitting plea, but at tomor-
rows meeting will can on the Spanish
commissioners to make answer to the
American propositions to cede the Philip
tnes probably allowing until Monday or
Tuesday only for a fina. answer on that
l point