The evening times., 1899-02-07
TUESDAY. FEBRUARY I. 1899
Tn. PbiIippine situation.

The failure Of Aguinaldo in battle with
American troops and the ratification OF the
Treaty of Peace-two events covering only
A few hours-have effected complete
change in the Philippine situation.
The President had refrained from an ag-
cressiye mdsement against either the Ia
gals near Manila, or the Visayas al lloilo,
until the American title should be per-
fected by the action Of the Senate. He
considered the protocol as in operation and
therefore the open contempt with which
his proclamation was received could not.
under his construction of his powers, be
punished or its conditions enforced.
General MiIler's expedition to Iloilo was
stopped when il was found that the peril
dious Spaniards had surrendered TO native
insurgents and for many weeks the troops
have been subjected to the discomforts OF
crowded transports. In the suburbs of
Manila. Aguinaldos army advanced its
lines close to the American outposts and
sought by insults and even blows TO bring
on an engagement. The orders from
Washington TO General Otis and to Gen
eral Miller were 10 be patient and keep on
conciliate and make frienGs with the enc
my. Failure in this was inevitable as far
as Aguinaldo's soldiers were concerned,
though General Miller made some head
way in that direction with the less aggres-
sivc Eisayas. 1t should be noted that
The latter were never in rebellion against
The authority of this Goyernment. Long
before Dewey bad entered Manila Bay,
they had risen against Spanish rule and
had besieged Iloilo. When it was surren-
dered to them, they were not disposed to
abandon it at the command of General
Miller They have not been otherwise un-
friendly.
General Merritt describes the character
OF the Tagals accurately. a display OF
force and readiness to compel obedience
10 the mandates of the Government would
win not merely submission, but also their
admiration and affection. They were sub
ject 10 the influence of Spanish prisoners
who hate America, and of Aguina,do and
his lieutenants, and, also, it is charged, OF
foreign agents. They were led 10 believe
that the Americans were timid and that
cowardice alone restrained them from re-
senting the grossest insults. From Agon-
clio they learned that the American people
were divided in sentiment and that an at
tack on General Otis would result in the
rejection of the Treaty with Spain and the
recognition Of Aguinaldo's alleged govern
ment.
All this is changed. The President 5
hands are free. There can be no further
fears of open aid to the rebels from any
foreign nation. The Filipinos have had a
practical demonstration of the superb
fighting qualities of the American soldiers
What remains is first to remove the last
trace of doubt that We shall compel full
submission by forcing the native army to
disband; then to convince them that we
mean TO deal justly with them. There mus
be no talk of Cancellation as long as there i:
Tagal army in existence and as long as
our authority is defied. 1t is for the good
of the Filipinos themselves that they
should be enlightened as to our strength
and our purpose to rule without conditions
1t may be, It probably will be. necessary
10 follow up the repulse of Aguinaldo wher
General Otis has force enough and allow
him no rest until ne is utterly beaten. Any
other course Will only keep alive guerrill;
warfare that will be fatal to every interes
of the people. This is the decision of Gen
eral Merritt and all military men whC
know the character of the Filipinos.