The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-11-19
SPANISH DELAYS MUST STOP.
AMERICANS To STEAK PLAINLY TO
SPANISH AT TO-DAY's SESSION.

Situation In the Philippines So seri-
Gus to Require an Immediate
Conclusion of Neutrality-suspicious.
gents Have Practical Possession of
the Island of Panay-FOreign Citi-
zens Beg for American Protection.
American Forces Tied Up by the
Protocol.
Washington, Nov. 1s.-News of a mixed
character came to the navy department
to-day from Admiral Dewey touching the
situation in the Philippines.
The admiral sent two of his warships,
the Charleston and the Concord, some
time ago to the southwark from Manila
to ascertain whether there was any truth
in reports that the insurgents had ex-
panded their activities in that direction.
To-day he cables as follows:
Manila Nov. IS. Charleston and Con-
cord arrived to-day from noilo. Glass re-
ports that the entire island of Panay is
in possession of insurgents except Iloilo.
which is defended by 500 Spanish troops
All foreign citizens there beg for Ameri-
can protection. The Island of Negros
has declared independence and desires
American protectorate."
Glass is the commander of the Charles
ton. So far nothing has been done by the
admiral towards curbing the insurgents in
their operations, save verbal representa-
tions from the American commanders to
Aguinaldo, in which it has been pointed
ont tn him that q would no goo5 poIicU
in view of the probability of the anuexa-
tion of the islands by the United States.
to pursue a course that would not be
obnoxious to the United States. But the
situation is now realized to be critical So
far as the Spaniards are concerned they
can be left to take care of themselves, but
the foreign residents of Iloilo are different
ly regarded. The difficulty in the situa-
tion is that with the best intentions to
intervene to protect the Europeans and
other foreigners and to save the city of
Iloilo the second in Importance in the
Philippine group from looting, the United
States forces appear to be stopped, under
the rules of war, from moving from their
positions. Such is the construction placed
upon the clause in the protocol relating
to a suspension of hostilities.
ne lIDfnNniaNe GilGCl VI lnlS SldAe Oh al
fairs may be 10 hasten action in the Paris
conference, for it is only the determination
of that tribunal that the United States can
come 10 the relief of the beleagured Span
iards in Iloilo and at other points.
1t is said to be a fact, however that
total disagreement al Paris may result Ia
speeder action than If the commissioners
agreed upon the main principles of the
Philippines cession, for in such case sew
HI, 4
he required in order to arrange the detail
of the treaty. 1t is now thought to be
certain that the commission at the meet
ing next Monday or Tuesday will do one
or two things, that is, either agree to the
cession of the Philippines or note a dis
agreement and dissolve the meeting, for
the administration is not disposed to furth-
er tolerate delay and has so instructed
the United States commissioners.
The latter sent a long cablegram to-day
in cipher. The deciphering occupied the
entire official day and meantime there
were wild rumors touching the nature of
its 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 attempt to
take issue with the American contention
as to the meaning of the protocol clause
relative to the disposition OF the Phllp-
pines. and much quibbling, accompanied
by quotations from French, Spanish and
other European languages in the effort
to demonstrate to Americans just what
an English word might mean.
The latter will take no notice of this
kind of a hair-sphtting plea, but at to-
morrow's meeting win cali on the Span
ish commissioners to make answer to the
American proposition to cede the Phil
ippines, probably allowing until Monday
or Tuesday only for final and responsive
answer on that point