The San Francisco call., 1899-01-09

NEW YORK, Jan. S.-The Herald's
Washington correspondent sends the
following: Though the native force is
opposing a peaceful occupation Of Iloilo
by General Niller's command, il is
nevertheless a fact that the natives of
the Niscaya group and of the Island of
Mindanao have petitioned the Ameri-
can Government for annexation 10 the
United States.
Iloilo is the port Of the Island of Pa
nay, one of the islands of the Viscaya
group. and the petition Of large num-
Der Of natives for annexation shows
. that division exists among natives re-
e speCting the occupation OF that city.
The petition is signed by large num-
Der Of prominent natives of the Niscayas
and Mindanao familiar with American
institutions or confident Of its execution
of the promises which the President has
made. It was officially presented TO
Rear Admiral Dewey early in Decem-
ber, and forwarded by that official by
mail TO the Navy Department. 1t was
Immediately transmitted TO the State
Department and to the President, and
the latter regards il as an excellent in
dlcation OF the feeling of the natives
toward the United States when outside
the influence OF such men as Aguinaldo
and others who are endeaYoring to stir
Up trouble in the hope, IL is thought, of
. personal aggrandlzement.
The petition reciteS that as a result
of the victory Of the American fleet on
May l, the natives arose in rebellion
against the power of Spain, and finally
succeeded in driving the troops of Mad
rid from their soil. Having successfully
achieved their independence, but de-
sirous of obtaining good and stable
government, they have turned to the
great North American nation and
formally request that the Niscaya Isl
. ands and Mtndanao be annexed.
OF course, the petition Of the natives
will not be officially noticed by this
Government for the reason that the au-
thorities have no intention of recogniz-
ing the independence Of the natives,
and for the further reason that the
Philippines are ceded to the United
States by Spain, but it is understood
that Rear Admiral Dewey Will be
directed to notify the signers of the
document Of its receipt by the Presi-
dent, OF the cession of the islands TO the
United States and of the purpose of
this Government to execute the prom
ises made in the proclamation issued by
General Otis some days ago.
Secretary Alger received a dispatch
from Major General Otis to-day de-
scribing the condition of affairs in the
islands, but l was informed ii contained
no reference to the result of General
A1illers negotiations with the insur-
gents at noilo respecting American oc-
cupatiOn of that city. 1t is under
stood that General Otis referred to the
condition on the Island OF Luzon as
critical, but no more serious than
hitherto represented, and spoke of a
manifesto published by Aguinaldo de-
nOuncing the. proclamation issued by
General Otis and urging the Filipinos
10 make their struggle for liberty.
Further instructions were sent to
General Otis urging him to continue
his efforts to induce the Filipinos TO
peacefully accept the rule Of the United
states. This policy Will be followed by
the administration until the treaty of
peace is ratified. and then the Presi-
dent viii determine what course shall
be adopted.
In view Of the increase of Rear Ad-
miral Dewey's force OF light-draft
gunbOats and Of the expedition in dis
patching additional regiments to
Manila, it is evident the President
anticipates trouble and proposes to be
prepared for it.
1t is appreciated by the authorities
that it will be to the interest of the
Government TO act promptly. The
president does not want blocdshed,
however. at this time for fear it will
prevent a ratification of the treaty Of
peace or at least cause delay in action
Dy the senate. Il is understood, there
fore, that the administration will ever
clse its influence TO hasten ratification
In order that steps may be promptly
taken TO bring the insurgents to terms
and establish peace and order in the
eastern archipelago.