Hutchinson gazette., 1899-01-12

Washington, d. c., january 10.-A
great deal OF reticence Is exhibited
at the vsar department relative to the
state OF affairs at Iloilo. II Is ad-
mitted That General Otis has reported
10 the department the facts that were
reporteiSfto him in turn by General
Miller, NN't all that can be gathered
as to NgS nature OF the commupica.
ton is shat it goes to confirm the
press rErorts as to the attitude of the
insurgents. There are excellent rea-
sons Why the officials at the war de-
partment should, at this stage, main
tain secrecy as to the instructions
governing the movement OF troops in
the Philippines.
The situation Is admitted to be crltis
cal, but not hopeless by any means,
ard IL is extremely desirable that the
danger Of rupture shall ~ be in
creased by lnHammatory publications,
which powerfully affect tho oKcita-
BILE Filiplnos.
II Is believed that General Otis Is
ironing a plan Of campalgn which
will result in the extension OF his
control over the island OF Panay, at
least, without actual hostllities, or,
N II must come to warfare, then with
the least possible exposure OF the
American troops. Probably the first
step in this campaign has been taken
by this time in the establishpent OF
camp on the plains OF Guiamaras,
lying only a few miles from Iloilo,
aud easily accessible to the warships.
'rhis probably will be made the base
Of operations II hostilities become un-
avoidable. The government, however,
has not abandoned hope that a peace
ful solution can be reached.
The governments instructions sent
TO General Miller at Iloilo were to
land and gain communication with
the insurgents. This is as far as his
orders have gone, except that when
he has established communication
with the insurgent officlals and peo'
pie, he Is to malce public the purposes
Of the United States. Not shot is to
be fred by the forces OF this country
unless they are attacked, or untii
further orders are given from here
This program was agreed upon be-
tween President Mckinley and Secre'
tary Alger several days ago, Secre'
tary Alger was at the White House
for some time this AFTERNOON. He
stated in the most emphatic terms
shnt no alarming news has come from
General Otis, and that he did not be-
lieyc a shot had been fired so lar, or
Ghat one would be fired. He Is comb
fdent chat General Miller will be able
10 handle the situation successfully
and obtain control OF Iloilo without
bloodshed. Heis OF the opinion THAI
the insurgents have been so long im'
posed upon that they are naturally
'rapicious and fear the worst II they
surrender their strongholds into rhe
hands of the United States.
The policy to be adopted now as 2
rentIe one. Persuasion will be used
before powder. That will be the last
resort. and Secretary Alger Is OPP
tImistic IN his views that II will never
Sc neceesary. The president, ~ 10
said, views the situation in a simSlarly
hopeful manner. He believes that the
Fyiiuinos will become less suspicious
when they understand more fully the
Intentions OF this country. He ne
| llieves that careful work on the part
OF prudent officials will cQnvInce the
Filipinos Of the earnestness OF the
United States and Of the purpose q
| this government to protect their live'
and property. ~ J. .s..- a.