Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1899-01-07
Occupied Iloilo Before Ameri-
can Forces Arrived.
SERIOUS ISSUE NOW.
Gen. OTIS Expected co Demand the sur-
render OF the Capital OF Pansy-spsn-
tsrds Reiterated TO = strong octd m Min
dsnao-oen. Ous Having Dtnneulty IN
Recurring Release OF spanish Prisoners-

wAsHINoroS. %. G. Especial. There has
been good deal OF anxiety Ia ofticial ctr
cies over recent events Et Iloiio. tho carital
OF the leland OF Pauay. In the Philippines.
Two official dispatches were received by
the State and War Department. bat u Wa
impossible 10 gather from them sn accurate
knowledge as 20 the condition there II was
not even possible 10 learn whether the in-
surgents or the American forces had captur-
ee the place. United States Consul Pratt, at
Singapore. csblvd the state Department:
'uollo taken Gath. spanish nsd 20 Bor-
neo."
This threw the onncials into deeper doubt
! than before. Another telegram stated that
! the Spsniards had retreAt,d 10 strongly
/ fortified town on the Island OF Mindaaao.
/ This did not agree with Consul fratts
/ statement that they led 70 Borneo. the north
coast Of which Il British possession. but t
was believed that the Consul was ia error
on the point. which might easily be the case
ia view OF the distance from his pest &c
/ Iloilo.
The fact that The Spanisrds bad rstrested
az all was also construed as al indication
that the town was abandoned 70 tho tnsur'
gents. for it Is believed thai Colonel Rios,
the Spanish commander. would aave cheer
fully surrendered 20 the American forcN
with = view Of securing the safety OF hi.
men aud their ultimate return 20 spain y
the American Government. according % th'
terms OF the treaty.
Just before noon another dispatch cams
from Gsaeral Otis that AZ once onfrmed "a
fears OF the officials Of the War Department
as 70 what had taken place az Iioilo. IL AZ
pears that the American forces had Rrrise'
TOO late on the scene. and that the insor
geats had added to tho dificalty oi IN
I problems already presented BY hois ting 'hei
Gag over the city, which they have been ct
: siegfng for months. tbs news Was ccn- air
: ed In the following message from Generi
Otis.
Manila. Dec. n. Is9s.-AdjutSns-Gsr
eral, Washington. Sent Colonel Potter o
4 fast vessel 20 Iioilo on 2fth 10 commuatca
with spanish General Rios; latter evaoua
!, ed evening Of 2sgh, and Potter 80 hO0l
) late; insurgents took possession ot city q
' 10th. and Potter fouod Agulnaldo's Gag n,
ing. Cannot now report probable result
- will not hear from there for tour days, a. I
Il cable communicatioas. spanish forces ha'
evacuated all stations IN southern ISLAM
except Zamboanga. Mindianao, BY order
as they say. from Madrid. OrIs-
MAY Raise tho Issue AZ Once.
- The evacuation by the SPsniArds OF
the EhAippiue pNrE. Ald, rs HckNtANA
General OTIS. although doubtless inspir
nt by desire 10 secure their safety by conce
3 trAtion, has undoubtedly done much 10 COT
- plicAte the problem already presented 1
ln War Department OF extending the militia
at Jurisdiction OF the United States over the
be lands.
be Il will now Be necessary TO greatly Z
Vn pedite the execution ot the original pial
ke and Il may fully Os expected that within Z
'al or three days important events will ha
is happened In the Philippines.
ID OmoiaI Instructions.
Its stated on authority that the Pre-
au dent has instructed General Otis snd 4
40 miral Dewey that the authority OF
'e1 United States IL 10 be maintained at
w hazards In She Philippines, although eve
81 thing peaeeaoiy Is 10 be dOne TO Induce
i'S insurgents to rscognlz, the supremacy
OF this country and lay down their arms. IN
is instructions will cover the case OF the ms
use gents who have captured Iloilo. Acting
.ou der The Presidents orders. It Is believed
~ members Of the Administration that the I
resentatives OF General Otis will have
American forces march into the city
take charge in the name OF the Uni
as States. II toe insurgents offer opposit
they Will be held 20 account without loss