New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-12-29
INSURGENTS TOOK 1LOILo.
AMERICAN FORCES ARRIVED THERE
TOO LATE

1bNtshAh oils bAPECTED TO DEMAND ITS SUR
RENDER TO HIM-THB SITUATION CAUSES
ANXIETY IN WASHINGTON.
Washington. Dec. 2S.-There is a rood dsa, n,
anxiety in ofical circles here over recent event.
at Iloilo. Just before noon to-day a dispatch
came from General Otis, which at once con.
hrmed the fears OF the War Department ALL
thorties as to what had taken place there II
appears that the American forces arrived too
late and that the insurgents had added to the
difficulty Of the problems already presented nv
hosting their flag over the CITY. which thew
have been besieging for months The news was
contained in the following message from Gen.
erai Otis;
Manila, December o.
Acknowledgement Washington:
Sent Colonel Potter on fast vessel to Ilolo on
Z4th 10 communicate with Spanish General
RIOS; latter evacuated evening of oath and Pot
ter thirty nine hours late; insurgents took pos
session OF city Goth, and Potter found
Aguinaldo's flag flying Cannot now report
probable results: will not hear from there for
four days. as no cable communications Span
ish forces have evacuated all stations In south
ern islands; except Zamboanga. Mindanao by
orders, as they say. from Madrid OTIS 4
The evacuation by the Spanards of all the
Philippine ports reported by General Otis. al
though doubtless inspired by a desire to secure
their safety by concentration. undoubtedly has
done much to complicate the problem already
presented to the War Department Of extending
the military jurisdiction of the United States
over the islands. 1t will now be necessary to ex-
pedite the execution of the original plans. and
it may be fully expected that within a week
important events will have happened In the
Philippines. 1t is presumed that General Otis
VIII demand the surrender OF Iloilo into his
hands. and this demand may at once raise the
issue between the insurgents and the United
States Government of possession Of the islands.
The province Of Ioilo is given in the official
directories as having a population Of 412 900.
and the city is the second seaport of Importance
in the Philippine group. 1t is on river
gable for vessels Of fifteen feet draught. so
that few OF the American gunboats would be
available TO assist the troops in it should
be necessary to take forcible possession OF the
city.
The Spanards have chosen strong place for
the concentration Of their troops in the town
OF Zamboanga, which. the reports here indi-
cate is strongly fortified. and possessed OF con-
siderable natural strength from defensive
point OF view. 1t is not doubted that they will
be able 10 maintain themselves for an indefinite
period against the insurgents. presuming that
they not cut off from obtaining supplies
from the sea- The town itself has population
of 81 600
This morning United states Consul Pratt, at
Singapore cabled to the State Department:
"Ioilo taken oath. Spanish fled to Borneo" IL
IA believed however that the Consul is in error
this point
There is no doubt that General Otis is meet
ing with great difficulty in his efforts 10 secure
the release Of the Spanish prisoners held by
the Fipnos. 1t begins TO appear clearly that
a considerable element among the Filipino lead
ers-probably majorty-is disposed TO use
these prisoners basis for negotiations with
the United States Government, making their
release conditional on certain concessions de-
manded by them. It is not yet foregone con-
clusion that terms cannot be arranged by pri-
vate conferences in Manila to secure the release
Of these men, but the United States Govern
tnent being now pledged by treaty TO free them'
must resort to other means II peaceful repre-
sentations fail General Otis has been instruct
ed on this point and the War Department has
confidence in his experience and sound Judg-
mont and. believing that from his presence on
N. scene he is better capable than officials
here OF dealing with the situation. has confned
itself to a statement Of what is expected 10
he done toward securing the release or the
nr,soners leaving 1t to General Otis to devise
methods and carry out the plans. Until some
nroeress has been made, and the department
ia aware of the exact number OF these prison
srs n will not be possible to proceed 1ar with
the MANS for the repatriation OF the Spahiaios'