The sun., 1898-12-30
SPAIN LEFT PATH OF IAORNS
Iloilo'S Surrender Timed so as
TO EmbarraSs the United
States.
STIRRING STRIFE IN CUBA
Clearly Shown That Conquered are
Laying Snares Everywhere---May
Even Go to Filibustering in
Order to Accomplish
Their Purpose.

WARRINGTON, Dec. 29.--The suspicion
is entertained here that the surrender OF
Iloio by the Spanish General to the in
surgents Just before the arrival of Colonel
Potter with the American forces to take
possession may have been designed for
the purpose of embarrassing this Govern
ment.
The Spanish General was aware that
the Americans were to be there, and it is
regarded as a somewhat remarkable CO.
incidence that the very day of the sail
ing Of the American expedition General
Rios should evacuate IloiIo, and cable to
the Madrid Government that he had
surrendered. The Spanish had been
able to maintain themselves in their
position there for long time, and it
might have been possible for them to
hold out few hours longer, with the
knowledge that the American forces
would relieve them.
The fact that the insurgents, though
the town was evacuated by the Spanish
on the oath, did not take possession
until the 26th seems to indicate that
General Rios was not so closely pressed
as his precipitate evacuation would i'm
ply.
Officials here, OF course do not know
what the facts in the case were, and may
never know, but there appear to be very
good grounds for suspicion that the
Spanish are disposed to foment trouble
both in the Philippines and in Cuba.
They are smarting under the shame of
defeat, add bitterly resent what they re-
gard as hard terms forced upon them by
this Government.
Many OF their leading men have pre-
dicted openly that the United States
would repent of its acquisition, and it is
evident that efforts are being made by
some one to bring about an acute irrita-
ton between the Americans and the
natives, both in the Philippines and in
Cuba.
The reports received from both quarters
OF disorder and personal collisions and a
state of agitation, are extremely disquiet-
ing, and calculated to excite apprehen-
sion that great difficulty will be expert
enced in establishing order and good
government.
There is evidence of an unwarranted
suspicion of the United States by tie
natives, and it looks as if certain ele-
ment were being inspired to acts of hos
tility. 1t is realized that, if this sus-
picion and hostility is developed to a
great extent, the United States Govern
ment is likely to be placed somewhat in
the attitude of having traded places
with Spain, being compelled to establish
order bv force.
1t would be practically impossible at
this time to cut off supplies from any
considerable band of belligerent natives
if any foreign Government had a motive
for assisting them. The United States
would probably have more occasion to
complain of tilibustering expeditions in
the Philippines than Spain had in con-
nectlon with Cuba during the early
period of the Cuban rebellion.
An opportunity might be presented to
the Spanish to avenge themselves upon
the United States, and it is not uncertain
that expeditions would not be conniyed
at by others than the Spaniards. While
this situation is now viewed only as a
possibility, the uncertainty about the
situation at lloilo impresses the Govern
ment at Washington with the necessity
OF materially strengthening our position
in the Philippines and of taking all
necessary steps to preserve perfect good
order in Cuba.