The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1898-09-12
GEN. OTIS TLTIMATUM.
Insurgents Must Withdraw From
the Suburbs of Manila.
INSURGENTS ABSURD DEMANDS.

ieh'tu iht SpHnl'WuS nave Leu inc
Followers of Agulnaldo to Believe
That They Are the Conquerors.
London, Sept. 12-The Manila corre-
spondent Of The Times telegraphs as
follows:
The insurgent conquest Of the Island
Of Luzon is rapidly approaching com
pletion. Recent authentic reports an
nounce the capture Of successive Span
ish positions and at present the rebels
control every foot of the island ex-
cept Manila, Cavite and a small por-
tion of the province Of Albay They
hold over 5000 Spanish prisoners and
have recently captured several thou
sand rifles, some cannon, a large guam
tity Of ammunition and several small
armed steamers. The Spaniards held
out valorousy, but were fighting
against the inevitable.
1t is undeniable that the action Of the
insurgents in pursuing the campaign
after an armistice was declared has
caused much useless suffering and de-
struction Of property, and has ami
hilated their every claim to be con-
sidered in any respects as the allies of
the Americans. Their motive has been
twOfold. First, an implacable hatred
Of the Spanish, with an innate racial
thirst for revenge; and secondly, their
ambition to place themselves on record
before the world as a successful revolu-
tiOnary government and as complete
masters Of the Luzon provinces and as
many adjacent islands as they may
have time to occupy before the Philip
pines question has been settled by the
Paris commission.
They are now free to withdraw their
troops. to make an expedition against
Panay and capture Iloilo. BY contin-
uing the campaign now, regardless Of
the armistce, they put themselves in
the wrong with everybody just as by
crowding into the suburbs Of Manila
and refusing to vacate the same unless
compelled by superior force they have
put themselves in the wrong with the
Americans.
Their action is doubtless due partly
to a disorganization Of their force,
which, by their own confession. con-
slsts of a congregation of independent
units with chiefs, each ambitious of
power and distinction and all strug-
Cling for positions which will secure
for them booty or otherwise private
fortune. This disorganization, which
naturally effects the irresponsible in
dividual soldier has been constantly
fomenting the irritation resulting from
the dull occupation in the suburbs Of
Manila. The situation has been inn
possible from the beginning, and con-
flicts have been avoided only by great
tact and the extraordinary patience
of the American troops, who Loyalty OBJ
serve their duty of preserving the
peace of the town.
The policy of permitting the insurg-
ents to occupy the Spanish positions
has been fruitful in many difficulties,
not the least of which is the stimulus
given to the conceit of the natives,
who consider themselves the con-
querors of Manila, although they cap
tured not a single position when the
town was taken.
General Otis has attacked the COM
plicated questions ne inherited from
General Merritt, his predecessor, with
remarkable energy and decision and Is
rapidly establishing order in every de-
partment where comparative chaos
ruled before.
ed, in terms not too polite, various i'm
possible concessions, for example, an
occupation Of the governor generals
palace and other palaces, a written as
surance that the insurgents will be per-
mltted to occupy permanently their
military positions around Manila, and
protection for the insurgent vessels by
the American fleet, with many other
81, nd
for share of the booty captured by
the Americans at Manila.
After a careful review OF the situa-
ton General Otis arrived at the logical
conclusion that the insurgents have
no right to occupy the suburbs Of Man
fla, and that Aguinaldo's claims have
the support of neither equity nor rea-
son. He has, therefore, categorically
refused to consider Aguinaldo's de-
mands, and last Friday sent him an
ultimatum, in terms plainly comprehen-
sible and authoritative, that he must
withdraw his troops from the suburbs
before the 18th or suffer the conse-
quences of refusal
The answer will probably be that
Aguinaldo himself is only too willing
to obey the order, but cannot explain
cannot remain at Manila This tempor-
izing excuse, although now stale from
too frequent use, conceals much truth.
1t is an undoubted fact that Aguinaldo
has but a feeble hand on the organiza-
tlon. His power is fast waning, and
the insurgents are threatened with dis
integration into opposing factions un-
less some leaders are soon discovered
who are able to harmonize the con-
hicting personal interests.
1t is reported that the presidency Of
the revolutionary government will be
offered to Catejano Arellano at con-
gress at Malolos on Sept. 10. Arrelano
is a lawyer of excellent repute-the one
man among the Filipinos who is uni
versally respected. Hitherto he has
consistently avoided politics, and 1t is
doubtful wheter he will undertake the
task of steering a rudderless ship.
Whatever may happen at the con-
gress, there is no possible assurance
that the natives are capable Of self
government. The educated class neith-
er desire or hope for complete indepen-
dence and will welcome any proteuto-
rate which secures the people good
government without a tinge of Span
lsh methods. The masses of the revo-
lutlonists, on the other hand, are bit
terly opposed to any solution of the
question which does not promise un-
lrammeled independence.
In the present exaltation of a fictitious
victory, believing themselves capa-
BILE of ruling the whole archipelago
without advice or assistance from any
0ne, they entirely forget that they owe