Connecticut western news., 1899-01-26
PRESIDENT IS ANXIOUS.
Philippine Situation Admitted
 to Be Very Serious.
MAY NOT WAIT FOR THE SENATE.
Unless the Treaty h Speedily Ratf- fed It Ia Believed That otis VIII Be Ordered to Take the FteId-oppo- nents of Treaty Blamed.


 fled It Is Believed That Otis VIII Be
 Ordered to Take the FfeId-oppo-
 nents of Treaty Blamed.
 Washington, Jan. 25.-Assertion of the sovereignty of the United States over the Philippines may be precipitated, not only by the political crisis in the archi- pelago. but by the necessity of occupy ing Iloilo. on account of the danger of an epidemic of disease resulting from the retention of General Miller's army on board the transports.
 The president feels he cannot walt much longer upon the senate. Unless that body should shortly ratify the treaty, there Is reason to believe that instructions will be sent to Admiral Dewey and General Otis either to with draw Miller's expedition or to assert the supremacy of the United States-peace- ably if possible, forcibly if necessary.
 There are three factors in the Philip pine situation which are forcing the ad- ministration to action: First, Aguinal- dos hostile attitude and the constant growth of his army: second, the danger of smallpox on board the transports, which are the prisons of Miller's expe- dition to Iloilo; third, the danger of the recognition of the Philippine republic by foreign governments, especially Ger many and Spain.
 Alarming Situation Admitted.
 There is no longer any concealment In administration circles of the critical condition of affairs in the archipelago. General Otis, reports, far from being as encouraging as the administration was at first willing to have the public be- lieve, describe the menacing attitude which Aguinaldo and his followers have assumed. Worse than this is his ex- pressed fear that an epidemic of small pox will break out among the troops of Miller's command. Already number of eases have appeared. the result of popping men up on the ships in such . hot climate.
 There are 400 men on these ships. The report that they had been landed fs untrue. All that General Miller is able to do is to land the men in small squads, who, after a little exercise, hardly enough to stretch their legs, are compelled to return to their ships. They cannot go far from shore because of the danger of conflict with natives.
 Opponents of Treaty Blamed.
 The presidents instructions require that a clash be avoided at all hazards. These instructions were sent on Jan. 2 and were due to the presidents belief that he should take no action until the treaty of peace Is ratified. He places the blame for the sickness among the troops as well as for the development of Aguinaldoism directly at the doors of the senators who have fought the ratification of the treaty. So long as the United States is divided on the ques- ton of the acquisition of the Philip pines, just so long, he feels. will the Filipinos continue their present tactics. and the result will be, If there should be greater delay, that Aguinaldo may, even after such ratification. decline to recognize the sovereignty of the Unit ed States and precipitate a conflict.
 It may therefore be stated that the president does not want the treaty to go over for consideration at an extra session. He wants ratification. and he wants 1t now.