The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1899-02-11
HE MUST WAIT.
Insurgents Until Spain Has
Ratified the Treaty.

-
of the state and war departments were
in consultation Tuesday on the legal
status of Gen. Otis, In view Of the proto-
col, which binds the American forces
10 maintain the statu quo In the Philip
pines till after the ratification of the
treaty by Spain and the United States.
The fact that the treaty must be rati-
fed by both parties TO the contract was
momentarily lost sight of by many per-
sons Monday, In the first flush of ex-
element over it's ratification by the
senate, and il was commonly remarked
by army officers and others in the de-
partment that, the Philippines NOW be-
ing American territory" Gen. Otis was
at liberty to handle the Filipinos as he
would an Indian outbreak or q railroad
riot. The fact, however, is that the
Philippines do not become American
territory till after the treaty has been
ratified by the Spanish cortes.
Naturally there was a great deal Of
speculation as 10 the future conduct
OF affairs by Otis, but 10 some extent
this must remain speculation, inasmueh
as Secretary Alger has said that the
general Is 10 be left to follow his own
discretion. To assist him TO n correct
understanding Of the diplomatic situa-
tion he has been cabled the full text Of
the peace treaty ratified Monday.
forward movement is probable at lloilo,
where Gen. Miller has been for weeks
lying in front Of the town in his trans
ports. He has never had any doubt OF
his ability 10 take the place whenever
he got the word, but there has been
restraining influence from Washing
ton, based In part on the hope that the
insurgents could be brought to peace
ful retirement from the town and an
apprehension that an effort TO force
landing might result in serious injury
20 foreign interests. Now. however, IL
is felt that the latter are perhaps more
in jeopardy from continuance of the
existing state of affairs than they
would be through rapid seizure of
the town. Gen. Miller now has with
him the Eighteenth infantry and bat
talon of artillery and il is likely that
he will be strongly Reinforced before
the attempt Is made 10 take lloilo.
There is unanimity of opinion
among both army and navy officers In
the two departments as 10 the need of
an Immediately aggressive campaign
on the part Of the American forces in
the Philippines, Without exception the
hope is expressed that Gen. Otis will be
given free hard 10 follow up the blow
against the Filipinos who have vio-
lated the truce and give them a salu-
tary chastisement while the memory OF
their Saturdays defeat is still fresh in
mind.
II may be that il was Admiral Dewey's
act in selling vessel loaded With arms
and ammunition intended for them that
melted the Philippine insurgents TO at
tack the American soldiers Saturday
night, for IL Is understood that one Of
the bitterest Of their grievances was
what they declared TO be unwarrant-
able interference with their shipping.
1t is learned at the navy department.
that about a week ago the admiral
caused the seizure OF the schooner
Taneng, with full supply OF such
arms for the insurgents. The admiral's
report discloses the fact that an Amer
lean, and not German, owned the yes
sci thus being used 10 arm the inSur-
gents against Otis troops.
Montreal. Can. Feb. s.-Agoncillo
was kept busy Tuesday. He re-
ceiyed about a score Of kilograms from
Paris and Hong Kong and spent some
time with his secretary replying TO
them. lie refused TO discuss their con-
tents. In regard to TIE fighting at
Manila he was equally reticent. Agon-
clio is following in the footsteps OF Car
rama and his Spanish spy system and
has now little detective force of his
own. The American secret service men
who have followed him and his secre-
tary for some time are now being fol-
lowed and Swallowed In return by two
men in the employ of the little Filipino.
A dispatch from Ottawa states that the
cabinet has taken into consideration
the question OF Agoncillo's expulsion
and il has been decided not TO modest
him, as his case Is different from that
OF the Spaniards and there existed no
state OF war between the Filipinos and
the United States at the time he came
here.