Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1899-02-16
IL0ILO IS CAPTURED.
The Capital of Panay Bombarded
and Taken by American Forces.
no CASUALTIES AMONG AMERICANS,
Tho Insurgents Fired the Native Portion Of
the Town. but the American Troops
Extineuishsd the Fiames-Twsn.
tieth Kansas Near Caioocsn.

e"o' ~" i@-Oen. Mlller reports fr(
llollo that the town was taken on the 18th in
and held BY troops. Insurgents given up
evening OF the 18th to surrender, but their ho
Tile actions brought on an engagement durI
the morning Insurgents fred native NORTH
OF the town. but little losses to property OF 70
elgn inhabitants No casualties among Il
United States troops reported
A dispatch also came from Admir-,
Dewey telling Of the capture of Ii
city 1t was brief recital of til
facts 10 the case, but 1t is said it col
tanned substantially the same info
nation sent by Gen. Otis. 1t was sen
to the navy department.
The Associated press dispatch an
nouncing the capture by the America
troops under Gen. Miller, Of Iloilo, O.
the island of Panay, was the frs
news received in this city of the fal
OF the second largest city in the Philip
pines. The announcement was prompt
ly communicated to the president a
the white house and it was read will
qualification. Half an hour later the
official intelligence OF the fall OF tn,
city came in q cable dispatch from
Maj Gen. Otis, which Adjt. Gen. Cor
bin promptly authorized to be made
( public ~
There is feeling OF intense satisfac
ton among such of the administration
officials as are aware Of this battle, a.
considerable apprehension has existed,
not, however, as to the ability of the
Americans to take the place when they
decided upon this step, but as to the
loss OF life which this might incur.
The tension between the opposing
forces at lloilo has been for some time
at the danger point and collision be-
tween them at any time would not
have been surprising. 1t is felt here
that Gen. Miller has conducted himself
with great circumspection in treating
with the natives, as their action has
been anything but conciliatory and
petty annoyances have been resorted
to by them to provoke the Americans
About a month cor more ago the
officials here and in the Philippines
deemed 1t wise to dispatch an expedi-
ton to llloilo because of rumors that
the natives were gathering in that
and neighboring localities and were
threatening to take the city. seen.
Miller, who was on duty with the
major general commanding the troops
at Manila, was selected for this duty
and several regiments of infantry
were forwarded, conveyed by an
American man-of-war Before they
reached lloilo, the Spaniards who
then occupied the town had surren.
lered it to the insurgents who imne.
liately occupied it.
When the troops attempted to land
they were notified by the insurgents
hat such course would preclpitate
battle and Gen. Miller under his in.
to pursue a conciliatory
course, held his men aboard the trans
PORTS The men became tired of this
md about two weeks ago the Fifty.
irst Iowa regiment was sent back to
Manila and the First Tennessee was
ent to lloilo to replace it. As soon |
Is the latter arrived it is believed |
len. Miller decided to force landing. |
The desire OF the administration has
been that the natives should submit
o the American demands and avoid a
creed fight, but it appears that up to
he last moment they could not be so
persuaded.
BoMBARDED THE TOWN.
Manila, Feb, l4,-The United States
,unboat Petrol arrived late last even.
ng with dispatches from Brig. Gen.
4. P. Miller to Maj, Gen. Otis, an.
ouncing that lloilo had been taken
y the combined military and naval
orces on Saturday morning. Gen.
filler, on receipt of his instructions
rom Manila. sent native commission
RS ashore from the United States
transport st. Paul, with communica.
ion for the rebel governor of
loilo, calling upon him to sur.
ender within time stated, and warn.
lg him not to make demonstration
4 the interval, The rebels immedi.
tely moved their guns and prepared
. defend their position. Thereupon
ne Petrol fred two warning guns,
ne rebels Immediately opening fire
pom her The Petrol and the Balti.
lore then bombarded the town, which
ne rebels, having set on fire, immedi.
tely evacuated American troops
ere promptly landed aud extin-
uished the fires in all cases of for
ign property, but not before consid.
rable damage had been done. 1t is
elieved that the enemys loss during
he bombardment was heavy, but no
merican casualties are reported
TWENTIETH KANSAS NEAR oALoooAN.
Manila, Feb A. - The Twentieth
ansas and the First Idaho volun-
,ers have been called from the marsh
Inds north OF Malabon, and the
'rmer regiment is now intrenched in
ont of Caloocan. The American
mes form complete Gordon 20 miles
length, from the coast north almost
} Pasaqua, south of Manila. The
lemy are busy throwing up intrench- J
ents on their left, sharpshooters il
le jungle covering their operations.
sveral Americans were wounded in
lie trench, Four men Of the Twentieth q
ansps volunteers were wounded t
lightly. Last night Private Briuton, t
'mpany B, and Private Stevens, com. t
my G, of the Twentieth Kansas, were t
All the enemy's dead at y
lloocan have been buried-l97 last