Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-01-11
Suspicion of Interference.

Inc suspicion Is growing IN the minds OF
administration officials and public men that
AguiuaIdo and his followers are being tam
pered with by interests unfriendly to the
Unite6 States. A quiet investigation of this
matter is likely to be made by this gov
eminent. Agencies will be put to work
which will reveal the facts and then eX-
plantations may be asked for. So far moth
ing official has been secured bearing out
published intimdtiOnS that Germany is Sc
cTetly playing against this country and
advising Aguinaldo to continue his Opposi-
tion. The statements of this kind are
mainly COnj"CtuTal. based on Germanys
interests in the east and her meddieSome
disposition.
No one in official life is willing to express
suspicion of Germany, but as a suspected
person is the one first inquired into the
outcome may be interesting. Russia and
Japan, it is said. would be about the only
countries besides Germany which might eX-
pect benefit enough to take the chances OF
mixing in such dangerous work.
1t would not surprise diplomats here to
see some official announcement from the
German capital repudiating the suspicious
now receiving publicity. Unless there is
something official from that direction the
feeling against Germany may reach a high
tension in this country.
No News From Gen. Otis.
1t was said at the War Department this
morning that absolutely nothing had been
hsard overnight from Gen. Otis at Manila
touching the state of affairs there. When
inquiry was made relative to a report that
there had been a meeting yesterday near
Manila. Of a commission selected jointly
10y Gen. Otis and AguinaldO. it was pointed
out that under the large discretionary
authority conferred upon him by the de-
partment. and in conformity with the Pres
ident's express, instructions, to exhaust all
peaceful means of adjusting the difficulty
with had fnll
authority to adopt such course without
asking express permission from the 0e-
Partment- His course, however, is thor
oughly approved by the President up to
this point.
A rather interesting question is raised by
the meeting of this commission as to
whether il constitutes a recognition of the
insurgents, but the general opinion is that
it dos not, the mater being one of purely
internal concern, with which no foreign
nation has a right to interfere.
Meanwhile the meeting of the commission
has served 70 at least avert the crisis which
seemed impending in the Philippines, and
there is now fair ground for the supposi-
tion that the status quo will be maintained,
at least until the ratification of the pending
peace treaty. 1t Is understood that Gen.
Otis will maxi no attempt to take Iloilo by
force in tho meantime, and in that way
avoid conflict Of arms.
situation May BE Protracted.
There is some reason to believe that the
present situation may be protracted longer
than would be naturally expected, and that
there viii be no open hostlities Immediate
ly. if at all. The question has arisen here
as TO the exact purpose to be served now
in attempting to seize Iloilo. Originally 1t
was intended to release the Spanish force
there IesieSed but by their evacuation of
that place they have removed that incen-
tive, and were il not for the false encour-
agement il would give the insurgents there
is little doubt that the United States trOops
would not be moved against IIoilo. Mean
while the navy is expected to draw cor
don around the island OF Pauay, and also
i.uZon should il be deemed necessary 10 do
SO. 70 prevent the further supply of arms
and munitions of war 10 the insurgents
Probably the gunboats now there or en-
route viii be reinforced by the Machias
and the Annapolis and Nicksburg.