The record-union., 1899-01-04
Relative 10 the Conditions Existing at the
City Of lloilo.
Thinks General Miller Has the Sit
nation Well in Hand and Will
Avoid a Hostile Collision With
the Insurgents, at Least Pend
ing the Ratification OF the
Peace Treaty.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 3.-General
OTIS commanding at Manila, has
cabled the War Department that III
his opinion General Miller has the stu
ton well in hand at Iloilo, and that
he fully understands the purpose OF
the President not to crowd the insur-
gents unduly. 1t is highly desirable
that a hostile collision between the
American forces and the insurgents be
avoided at all hazards; at least pend
ing the ratification of the peace
treaty and as General Miller under
stands now this purpose on the part
of the President, he will be guided
by it, and may be relied upon to resort
to force under absolute compulsion.
The officials here are now fully salts
fed that the trouble at Iloilo may be
traced directly back to the Spanish
Colonel who was the senior Spanish
army officer in the Philippine group,
and recently in command of the Visa
vas group. including the principal ISL
and of Panay and the city garrison OF
Iloilo.
General Otis report shows that
though besieged with his 800 soldiers
in Iloilo by a superior force, the posi-
ton of the Spanish was thoroughly
tenable. They had repulsed every at
ack of the insurgents, and had IN
fiicted great loss upon the latter, and
altogether there was no reason why
they should not have held out indefin-
itely. This was practically the case
in view of the knowledge of the Span
iards that by the terms of the treaty
the United States Government has I'M
dertaken to carry them back to Spain,
involving, of course, their release from
the siege at the earliest possible mo-
ment. 1t is significant that Rios de-
layed the evacuation Of Iloilo until he
became informed that the Americans
were coming, and there is curiosity
here to learn how that important in
formation reached Iloilo in advance OF
the movements of the American trans
ports and in the absence of cable con-
nections Undoubtedly it was conveyed
by a vessel, and there may be a Ques-
ton raised as to the legitimacy of the
transmission of news of the intentions
Of the American troops in advance in
this fashion.
One feature of General Otis report
that has escaped mention thus far,
is his notice of the approaching meet
ing of the so-called Filipino Pariia-
ment, which is to gather, presumably
at Malalos, about twenty miles from
Manila, on the island of Luzon,
Thursday next. A good deal of inter-
est is attached to this meeting, as
General Otis reports that by the at
tendance the strength of Aguinaldo's
party can be gagged That this wan
ing rapidly is not doubted, and the
General feels that when the attempt
is made to convene the Parliament, 1t
will be found that Aguinaldo has lost
his control of the majority, and cannon
command even a working coalition
Such state of affairs would tend to
make easier the task of the military
authorities of the United States of es-
tablishing peacefully a temporary
form of government for the Philippines
that will command the support of the
people and receive approval Of the
civilized world.
General Otis has not yet published
the proclamation by President Nc
Kinley, which was cabled from Wash
ington to him about a week ago.
Feeling full confidence in his judgment,
the officials here are not disposed to
question his Withholding the procla-
nation from the Filipinos, though it
would seem that the main purpose in
preparing and cabling it was to soothe
and satisfy the Filipinos and counter
act the insidious attacks the Spanish
element has been making upon the in
tegrity Of American intentions respect
ing the Philippines.
Admiral Dewey was heard from by
cable at the Navy Department to-day,
but made no reference to the political
situation in the islands. He reported
that he had found a building suitable
for a naval hospital at Cavite, and
asked authority from the department
to establish it at once. 1t was not
gathered that there is an unusual
amount of sickness among the Ameri-
can sailors, but realizing that the
naval occupation of Manila Bay is to
be of a permanent character Admiral
Dewey wishes to establish SHORE
hospital.
Secretary Long called upon Sur
General Van Reypn, and after a
consultation they cabled Admlra
Dewey authority to establish the nos
pital. Medical Inspector Remus Z
Parsons was selected to take charge
of the new hospital, and has been or
QeT6Q TO start DIT OlitC AioAii
York. The necessary assistants VII
be selected from among the medlca
officers of Admiral Dewey's fleet.
REBELS PREPARING TO RESIST
AMERICANS.
MANILA, Jan. 3.-Advices just re-
ceived from noilo state that the rebels
at a meeting on Saturday ratified the
action of delegation which assured the
Americans that they might land I'M
armed, but that if the latter landed
armed the natives would be uncontroll-
able. 1t is further said that every
preparation is being made for resist
ance on the part of the rebels, and that
reinforcements are arriving from Ne
gros and the neighboring islands, in
spite Of the efforts of the United States
cruiser Baltimore and the gunboat Ari-
zona to scare them with searchlights.
The Spanish gunboat Ell Cano is still
at Iloilo, but as her status is not de-
fined, she has not been molested. 1t is
understood that she is destined to &C
70 ZamboanaA a town of the Philippine