Rocky Ford enterprise., 1898-06-30
SITUATION IN MANILA
PROSPECT OF SERIOUS coMPLI-
CATIONS.
rhs Insurgents Disposed to Declare the
Islands Wholly Independent.

New York, June 20.-A cable to the
Herald from Manila, June 23 via Hong
Kong, Monday:
1t seems probable that the situation
In the Philippines Is about to become
complicated. and It Is much to be re-
gretted that the American government
lid not hurry forward 1000 men to en-
able Admiral Dewey to take and hold
Manila and plant the American flag
firmly on the citadel. Possession is
nine points of the law, vide Egypt
and Interference. which would have
been almost impossible were the Amer
| lean flag flying over Manila, becomes
4 comparatively easy while the city Is
still under Spanish rule. We are
threatened with various complications.
First the rebels. influenced by for
eign counsels or inflated by their sur
prislng success under arms, have
changed their tone and now want
complete Independence. Aguinaldo nl-
ready has issued circular saying 1t Ii
probable that he will invite the Euro
penn powers to recognize and gunran-
tee the complete independence Of the
Philippines.
This leader. In his complete igno-
rance OF diplomacy, and how to deal
with astute European diplomats, will
soon involve himself In ineXtricable
complications. the first Of which will
be II rupture with his American pro-
tectors, which Is what Germany is
aiming to secure.
Should European nations interfere in
the Philippines, so much jealousy
would ensue that 1t would be hopeless
for them to try to arrive at n satisfac-
tory result. and the only way of es-
cape would be by means of n general
war or the return of the Islands to
Spain. In that case Spain would re-
quire International help to restore or
der.
The delay of the American troops,
when their presence Is Of vital import
ance, proved that the United States
We're not prepared for war with Spain
and are powerlcss to oppose u Euro
pean combination.
Would England engage in n big war
to gain joint supremacy In the Philip
pines?
II .Aguinaldo is idiotlc enough to de-
sert his American protectors and
throw himself into the hands of the
Z, European powers he will display igno-
france of European methods of nrrang-
Ting affairs.
There can be only one of two results
~ ms poiieS. eltHeT tIle l-nlllDDlneS
would become divided among the great
bowers or be placed by them under
Spanish rule again.
In the latter case. God help the Phil
ippines. They would have to pay after
Spain's eventual defeat, an Indemnity
to the Americans.
During the recent rebellion Aguinal-
do found 1t no easy matter to maintain
order and one Andres Boniface, who
conspired against his life, was cap
tured after n severe fight and shot as
traitor. How Aguinaldo. knowing
the whole island is In fcrmcnt. can
suppose lie or any Philippine combina-
tion could govern the islands without
the help of foreign power is incon-
ceivable.
1t is stated that Aguinaldo has al
ready had an interview with the Ger
man admiral, Diedrichs. yesterday. His
steam launch was circling around the
German warship, but l could not see
anyone was allowed aboard.
The Rustler called in here and pro-
ceeded TO Illilo and Cebu. Eleven
provinces in Luzon have declared
themselves Independent, probably by
this time. but news filters slowly to
Manila. Not n single one of the Span
i1rds escaped from the province to
Manila. and no letters or messages ar
rived from outside. All the Spanish
prisoners We're taken to Cavite.
Some sick and wounded We're
brought to Manila from Cavite ON the
twenty-first. They report food short
there, but otherwise We're well treated.