Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1899-01-12
AFFAIRS At IL0ILO..
Reticence Observed at Washington
About Movements In Philippines.
RAPIDLY APPROACHING 4 CLIMAX.
All sOFta OF Aiarmist RumOrs In Circulation
.-Agui naldO Threatens to Drive the
Americans from the Islands-Eu-
rOpenns Notified to Leave.

OF retlcence Is eXhlDlte0 al Lne war ue-
partnent relative to the state OF af-
fairs at Iloilo. 1t Is admitted that
Gen. Otis has reported to the depart
ment the facts that were reported to
him in turn by Gen. Miller, but all
that can be gathered as to the nature
of the communication is that it goes
to confirm the press reports as TO the
attitude of the insurgents There are
excellent reasons why the officials at
the war department should at this
stage maintain secrecy as to the in
structions governing the movement
of troops in the Philippines The
situation is admitted to be crit
ical but not hopeless by any
means, and it is extremely desira-
able that the danger OF a rupture shall
not be increased by infammatory pub
locations, which powerfully affect the
excltable Filipinos. It's believed that
Zen. Otis is framing plan OF cam
paign which will result in the extern
sion of his control over the island of
Panay at least without actual HOSTILE
ties, or, If it must come to warfare,
then with the least possible exposure
to the American troops, Probably the
first step in this campaign has been
taken by this time in the establish
ment Of camp on the plains of Guia-
maras, lying only a few miles from
lloilo and easily accessible to the war
ships. This probably will be made
the base of operations if hostilities be-
come unavoidable. The government,
however, has not abandoned hope that
peaceful solution can be reached.
The governments instructions sent
to Gen. Miller at Iloilo were TO land
and gain communication with the in
surgents This is as far as his orders
have gone, except that when he has
established communication with the
insurgent officials and people he is to
make public the purposes OF the United
States Not q shot is to be fired by
the forces of this country unless they
are attacked or until further orders
are given from here. This programme
was agreed upon between President
Mckinley and Secretary Alger
several days ago. Secretary AL
ger was at the white house
for some time this afternoon.
He stated in the most emphatic terms
that no alarming news has come from
Gen. Otis and that he did not believe a
shot had been fired so far or that one
would be fred. He is confident that
Gen. Miller will be able to handle the
situation successfully and obtain con-
troll of Iloilo without bloodshed. He
is Of opinion that the insurgents have
been so long imposed upon that they
are naturally suspicious and fear the
worst if they surrender their strong.
holds into the hands of the United
States.
The policy to be adopted now is a
gentle one. Persuasion will be used
before powder. That will be the last
resort and Secretary Alger is opti-
mistic in his views that it will never
be necessary. The president it is
said, views the situation in similarly
hopeful manner He believes that the
Filiplnos will become less suspicious
when they understand more fully the
intentions of this country He be-
lieves that careful work on the part of
prudent officials will convince the
Filipinos of the earnestness of the
United States and of the purpose of
this government to protect their lives
and property.
RAPIDLY APPROACHING A CLIMAX.
Manila, Jan. 10.-The situation is
rapidly approaching a climax ALI
sorts of alarmist rumors are in circula-
ton. The United States authorities
are taking every precautions; the troops
in quarters are under arms and the
Californians have disembarked from
the transports. The natives, it is re-
ported, have been ordered not to work
for the Americans and the employees of
the commissary department have gone
on a strike Natives are leaving the
city. Maj. Gen. Otis, however has the
whole situation thoroughly in hand.
Ascend proclamation by Aguinaldo,
bearing the same date as the one which
Immediately followed the proclama'
ton of Gen. Otis, based upon President
McKinley's instructions, first appeared
on the streets to-day, but it is alleged
to have been recalled. Its terms are
much more vehement than those used
in the first proclamation. AgunaldC
threatens to drive the Americans from
the islands, calls the Deity to witness
that the blood will be on their owr
heads if it is shed and details at great
er length the promises he claims were
made by the Americans as to the par
of the insurgents in the campaign. i
is believed that this second proclama
tion is the original draft which wa
not adopted by the Filipino congress
at Malolos.
EUROPEANS NOTIFIED TO LEAVE.
Victoria, B. C., Jan. l0-The North
ern Pacific liner Tacoma arrived her,
yesterday afternoon from the orient
Her mail advices say that letter ha
been received at Manila from lloil,
stating that $4,000 rebels are threat
ening the town and $4,000 others wer
at Antique, ready to join them. TIL
rebel chief has notified all Europeal
citizens TO leave the town.
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