The record-union., 1899-02-17
Americans Anticipated That Which Hs:
Since Occurred.
Realized That the Problem Con-
fronting General Otis Was
Most Difficult One, and That
They Must Either Fight and
Subdue the Rebels or Withdraw
From the Archipelago.

SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 16.-Advices
from Manila dated January 18th says:
A more difficult problem than that
which the Governor General OF the
Philippines is confronted at the present
moment it would be difficult to mag
inc, for unless the Filipinos recede
from their position, the situation in a
nutshell amounts to this: The Ameri-
cans must either fight and subdue the
rebels, or withdraw from the archipel-
ago.
As a matter of fact, the Filipinos
have been, and are being, recognized
officially all the time, because in order
to avoid unnecessary bloodshed the
American authorities have been COM
PEELED to treat with them A striking
illustration of this point occurred on
December 21st last, when the two FORCES
were probably nearer conflict than at
any time prior since the occupation OF
Manila Up to that date the SentrieS
of the two forces had guarded opposite
ends of the Pace bridge, as the one
structure across a ten-foot creek on
the outskirts of the city, but in accord
ance with instructions, the American
officer of the day essayed to post his
sentry in the center of the bridge. The
Filipino guard objected, however, and
when protest was made, informed the
Americans that at 8 O'Clock next morn
ing they would fire upon the American
line, unless the sentry was with
drawn. At the appointed hour Major
General Anderson and some 1000 men
were on hand, but after a conference
the>F'ilipinos were recognized to the ex-
"a fy~u wifi ~,
his former position, and the American
troops marched back to their quar-
tiers without having had a chance to
fire single shot.
The issuance of General Otis pro-
clamation regarding the intention of
the Americans in the Philippines gave
Aguinaldo the opportunity he desired,
and less than twelve hours after the
former was published, the Filipino re-
Spouse was posted up on the walls of
this city. Its effect was instantaneous
upon the natives generally, and their
attitude was such that il was deemed
advisable to keep the entire army Of
occupation in quarters and under arms,
in order that it might be ready if an
emergency arose.
Two trivial incidents which occurred
simultaneously in different parts of
the city occasioned a false alarm at
300 o'clock on Wednesday afternoon,
and the entire corps was called ito
arms" Within fifteen minutes after
the echoes of the bugles had died away,
the whole city was under arms, every
company of every regiment being in its
allotted position ready for action While
this created somewhat of a sensation
temporarily, the promptitude with
which the troops responded to the call
had the effect of restoring confidence
Meantime the insurgents. have con-
scentrated their forces on the outskirts
of the city, and are strengthening their
position every day. Orders have, how
ever, been issued that they shall act
only on the defensive, which indicates
"a disposition to avoid trouble if posi-
BILE. An accident may, however. pre-
cipitate conflict at any moment.
In his proclamation to the natives of
the Philippines issued on January 4th.
Major General E. S. Otis says:
In the war against Spain the United
States forces came here to destroy the
power of that nation and to give the
blessings of peace and individual free
dom of the Filipinos to protect them
in their homes, their employment, their
individual and religious liberty: that all
persons who. either by active aid or
honest endeavor, cooperate with the
Government of the United States TO
give effect to these beneficent purposes,
will receive the reward of its support
and protection
THE President of the United States
has assumed that the municipal laws of
the country in respect to private rights