The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1898-11-23
WORD FROM DEWEY.
Hero of Manila Cables the situation
Regarding Action of Phillip
pine Insurgents.

Washington, Nov. 19.-News of a
mixed character came to the navy de-
partment Friday from Admiral Dewey
touching the situation in the Philip
pines. The admiral sent two of his war
ships, the Charleston and the Concord,
some time ago to the southwark from
Manila to ascertain whether there was
truth in the reports that the insurgents
had extended their activities in that di-
rection. Friday he cabled as follows:
Manila Nov IS, 1S9S.-Secretary Navy,
Washington: Charleston and Concord ar
rived from Iloilo. Glass reports that the
entire island of Panay is in possession of
insurgents except Iloilo, which is defended
by 800 Spanish troops. All foreign citizens
there beg for American protection. The
island Of Negros has declared indep endence
and desires American protectorate.
(Signed) DEWEY"
Glass is the commander of the
Charleston. So far nothing has been
done by the administration towards
curbing the insurgents in their opera
tons save verbal representations from
the American commanders to Aguin-
aldo, in which it has been pointed out
to him that it would be good policy, in
view of the ability of the annexa-
ton of the islands by the United States,
TO pursue course that would not be
obnoxious to the United States. But,
the situation is now realized to be crit
ical. So far as the Spaniards are con-
cerned, perhaps they can be left to take
care of themselves, but the foreign resi-
dents at Iloilo are differently regarded.
The difficulty in the situation is that
with the best intentions to intervene to
protect the Europeans and other for
eigners and to save the city of Iloilo,
the second in Importance in the Philip
pine group, from looting, the United
States forces appear to be stopped un-
der the rules of war from moving from
their positions. Such is the construc
ton placed upon the clause in the pro-
tocol relating to suspension of hos
tilities.
The immediate effect of this state of
affairs may be to hasten action in the
Paris conference, for it is only by the
termination of that tribunal that the
United States can come to the relief of
the belcaguered Spaniards in Iloilo and
at other points. 1t is said to be a fact,
however. that total disagreement at
Paris may result in speedier action than
if the commissioners agreed upon the
main principles of the Philippine ces-
sion, for, in 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 next Mon
day or Tuesday will do one of two
things. i. e., either agree to the cession
CT the Philippines or note disagree
ment and dissolve the meeting, for the
administration is not disposed to toler-
ate further delay and has so instructed
the United States commissioners. The
latter sent a long cablegram Friday in
cipher. The deciphering occupied the
entire official day and meantime there
were wild rumors touching the nature
of it's contents. AS a matter of fact, it
was nothing more than an extremely
verbose statement of the Spanish side
of the case relating to the Philippines
There was a renewal of the attempts to
take issue with the American conten-
ton as to the meaning of the protocol
clause relative to the disposition of the
Philippines, and much quibbling, ac-
companied by quotations from French,
Spanish and other European languages,
in the effort to demonstrate to Amer
leans just what an English word might
mean. The latter will take no notice of
this kind of a hair-splitting plea, but
a. to-day's meeting will call on the
Spanish commissioners TO make answer
to the American proposition to cede the
Philippines, probably allowing until
Monday or Tuesday only for final and
responsive answer on that point.