Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1899-01-25
MUCH ALARM
IS NOW FELT
The Situation at Manila is
Very Strained.
ISSUE WILL BE R
By the Insurgents Of the Islands,
Spain or Germany May Rec
ognize A%guinaldo.
ISSUE WILL BE FORCED

Chicago, Jan. 25.-A special to the
Tribune from Washington says: It can
not be longer denied that considerable
alarm is felt in administration circles
over the situation at Manila and Iloilo
and the latest advices are not of a reas-
surfing character. Gen. Otis is of the be-
lief hat the insurgents are about to force
an issue and if this should occur the re-
suit cannot be predicted further than that
the Americans will be victorious in the
end. There are two serious contingencies
confronting the troops near Iloilo, one
being a conflict with the natives and the
other a fear that smallpox may break out
among the troops. Besides this, the situa-
ton at Manila is considered much more
grave that that at Iloilo and it is feared
the insurgents may commit an overt act
which might bring on a conflict.
While the warlike attitude of A~guinaldo
excites alarm at the wal department.,
that is not considered the most serious
feature of the situation. Those in a posi-
ton to know the facts say the diplomatic
situation is even more grave. Either
Germany or Spain or both may recognize
Aguinaldo's little republic for interested
motives, Germany to secure a foothold
and Spain to accomplish the release of
it's prisoners of war. This action is i'm
minent and the government officials say
they would not be surprised if it took
place within "a hours. Prompt ratifica-
ton of the treaty would have avoided
this ENHANCEMENT, but it is conceded now
that both Spain and Germany have some
grounds for action to protect their own
interests.
The cables announcing the proclama-
ton of a republic did not create much of
a disturbance, as Aguinaldo proclaimed
his independence last summer. AgoncillO
first came here, then went to Paris and
then returned to Washington in the
capacity of the representative of the
Philippine republic. This is the reason
he has not been received officially as to
do so would be to recognize the republic.
He was treated exactly like Palma and
Queseda, who We're never recognized as
the diplomatic representatives of the
Cuban republic but only as delegates of
the insurgent army. Agoncillo will not
be recognized at any time. He has been
permitted to file paers at the state de-
partment, but has never been received
automatically and will not be.
There is an understanding at the pres
ent moment that in case Spain or Ger
many or both recognize Aguinaldo as the
president of an independent republic,
Great Britain will at once recognize the
temporary sovereignty of the United
States in the Philippines pending action
on the treaty. knowledge of this fact il
is said is all that causes Germany tc
hesitate. Ambassador White has not
been directly instructed to make n rep
resentation to Germany, but he conveye
"unOfficially' an intimatiOn that the
United States pending the disposition OF
the treaty, would consider recognition Of
Aguinaldo by Germany as an unfriendl9
act and by Spain as a direct violation o
a solemn pledge to give the United State!
six months in which to consider thu
treaty.