The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1898-09-15
TROUBLE IN THE PHILIPPINES.
The Insurgents Make Unreasonable De
TuandS.

ing September 9Th, says:
"The insurgent conquest of the
island of Luzon is rapidly approach
ing completion. Recent authentic
reports announce the capture of sue
cessive Spanish positions, and at pres
ent the rebels control every foot of
the island except Manila, Cavite and
small portion of the province of
Albay.
"They hold over 5000 Spanish pris-
oners, and have recently. captured
several thousand rides, some cannon,
large quantity of ammunition and
several small steamers. The Span
iards held out valorously, but We're
fighting against the inevitable.
at is undeniable that the insur-
gents in pursuing the campaign af-
ter an arInistice was declared have
caused much useless suffering and
destruction of property, and have
annihiIated their every claim to be
considered in any respect the allies
of the Americans.
Their motive has been two fold,
First, an implacable hatred of the
Spanish, with an innate racial thirst
for revenge, and secondly, their am
bitiOn to place themselves on record
before the world as a successful rev
olutionorN, trovarnYnapt and &c con-
plete masters of the Luzon provinces
and as many adjacent islands as they
may have time to occupy before the
Philippine question has been settled
by the Paris commission.
"They are now free to withdraw
their troops, TO make an expedition
against Panay and to capture Iliolo.
By continuing the campaign now,
regardless Of the arnistice, they put
themselves in the wrong with every
body. just as by crOwding into the
suburbs OF Manila and refusing to
vacate the same unless compelled by
superior force, they have put them
selves in the wrong with the Amer
leans.
Their action is doubtless due part
ly to disorganization Of their force,
which, by their own confession, con
sists 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 by booty or otherwise, pri-
vate fortune.
"AguinaldO has persistently de-
manded, in terms not too polite,
various impossible concessions; for
example. an occupation Of the Gov
ernor Generals palace and other
palaces; written assurance that the
insurgents will be permitted to occu-
by permanently their military posi-
tions around Manila, and protection
for the insurgent vessels by the Amer
lean fleet, with many other claims,
including an innocent demand for a
share of the booty captured by the
Americans at Manila.
After careful review Of the situa-
tion General Otis arrived at the log
zeal conclusion that the insurgents
have no right to occupy the suberbs
of Manila, and that Aguinaldo's
claims have the support of neither
equity or reason. He has, therefore,
categorically refused to consider
Aguinaldos demands, and to-day
sent an ultimatum, in terms plainly
comprehensive and authoritative,
that he must withdraw his troops
from the suberbs before the 18th or
suffer the consequences of refusal.
1.-The answer will probably he that
Aguinaido himself is only too willing
to obey the order, but can not explain
to his troops the reason why they
cannot remain at Manila.
This temporizing excuse, although
now stale from too frequent use, con
tains much truth. 1t is an undoubted
fact that Aguinaldo has but a feeble
hold on the organization. His power
is fast waning and the insurgents are
threatened with disintegration into
opposing factions unless some leaders
are soon discovered who are able tC
harmonic the conflicting personal
| interests.
ut is reported that the presidency
of the Revolutionary government will
be offered to Cajetana Arellano at d
congress at Malolos, on September 10
Arellano is a lawyer of excellent re
pute-the one man among the Filipi
nos who is universally respected
Hitherto he has consistently avoided
| politics, and it is doubtful whether
he will undertake the task of steering
arudderless a ship.
Whatever may happen at the
Congress there is no possible assur
ance that the natives are capable o
self-government. The educated elias
neither desire nor hope for complete
independence and will welcome an,
protectorate which secures the peopl