The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-02-14


WASHINGTON, Feb. 13.-The Associated
rress dispatch announcing the capture by
the American troops under General Miller
of Iloilo, the Island of Panay, was the
first news received in this city of the fall
of the second largest city in the Philip
| pines. The announcement was promptly
communicated to the President at the White
House and it was read with qualification.
Half an hour later the official intelligence
of the fall of the city came in a cable dis
patch from Major General Otis, which Ad-
jutant General Corbin promptly authorized
to be made public. The dispatch follows:
General Miller reports from IloIo that
that town was taken on the 18th inst and
is now held by his troops. The insurgents
were given until the evening of the 18th tc
surrender, but their hostile actions brought
on an engagement during the morning The
insurgents fired the native portion of the
town, but there was little loss to property
of foreign inhabitants. No casualties among
the United States troops reported"
There is a feeling of intense satisfaction
among such Of the administration officials
as are aware of this battle, as 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 between
them at any time would not have been sur
prising.
1t is felt here that General Miller has con-
quoted himself with great circumspection
IN treating with the natives, as their atti-
tude has been anything but conciliatory and
petty annoyances have been resorted to by
them to provoke the Americans
About a month or more ago the officials
mere and in the Philippines deemed it wise
to dispatch an expedition to Iloilo because
OF rumors that the natives were gathering
IN that and neighboring localities and were
threatening to take the city. General Mil
Ter, who was on duty with the major gen
eral 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
IloilO the Spaniards who then occupied tbe
town. had surrendered il to the insurgents
who Immediately occupied it, When the
troops attempted to land they were notified
by the insurgents that such course would
precipitate battle and General Miller, un-
der his instructions TO pursue a conciliatorv
course. held his men aboard the transports.
The men became tired of this and about
two weeks ago the Fifty-first Iowa Regi-
ment was sent back to Manila and the First
Tennessee was sent to Iloilo to replace it.
As soon as the latter arrived 1t is believed
General Miller decided to force a landing.
The desire of the administration has been
that the natives should submit to the Amer
lean demands and avoid a forced fight but
it appears that up to the last moment they
could not be SO persuaded. General Miller
has with him the Eighteenth Infantry and
Battery q, of the Sixth Artillery, and if
they arrived as expected the First Tennes-
see Regiment of Infantry, while the naval
assistance rendered him was by the gunboat
Petrol and the cruiser Baltimore
a dispatch also came from Admiral
Dewey telling of the capture of the city.
1t was brief recital of the facts in the
case, but It is said contained substantially