The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1899-02-01
PfACEABLY L POSSIBLE
SUPREMACY OF THE UNITED
STATES TO BE ASSERTED.
Serious Complications in the Philip
pines-Otis' Reports are Very Far
From ouragng-Smallpox

NEW YORK. January 24.-The Her
aids Washington correspondent sends
the following. The assertion of the
sovereignty of the United States oven
the Philippines may be precipitated not
only by the political crisis in the ar
chipelago, but by the necessity of oc-
cupying Iloilo on account of the danger
of epidemic disease resulting from the
rentention of General Miller's army on
board the transports. 1t developed to-
day that the president feels he cannot
wait much longer upon the senate. I'm
less that body should ratify the treaty
there is reason to believe instructions
will be sent to Admiral Dewey ana
General Otis either to withdraw Gen
eral Millers expedition or to assert the
supremacy of the United States, peace
ably if possible, forcibly if necessary.
There are three factors in the phil
ippine situation which are forcing the
Administration to action: First-Agui-
naldo's hostile attitude and the CON
slant growth of his army. Second
The danger of smallpox on board the
transports which are the prisons OF
Miller's expedition to Iloilo; third, the
danger of recognition of the Philippine
republic by foreign governments, espe-
cially Germany and Spain.
There is no longer any cOnCealment
in administration circles of the crit
ical condition of affairs i'm the arChi-
pelago. General Otis reports are far
from being encouraging as the admin
iStratiOn was at first willing to have
the public believe, and describe the
menacing attitude which Aguinaldo
and his followers have assumed.
Worse than this is his expressed fear
that an epidemic will break out among
the troops in Miller's command AL
ready a number of cases have appear
ed, the result of coping men up on
| ships in such hot climate. There are
3,4OO men on these ships. The report
| that they have been landed is untrue
| All that General Miller is able to do is
| to land men in small squads, who af.
| ter a little exercise, hardly enough tC
stretch their legs, are compelled to re.
turn to their ships They cannot &C
! far from shore because of danger of {
! conflict with the natives.
The presidents instructions require
that a clash be avoided at all hazards
| These instructions were sent on Janu
airy End, and were due to the presi
dents belief that he should take NJ
action until the treaty of peace is rat
| flied. He places the blame for sick
ness among the troops as well as TO
| the development of Aguinaldoism di
rectly at the doors of the senators WIN,
have fought the ratification of the trea
ty. SO long as the United States is di
vided on the question of the acquisition
of the Philippines, just so long, he feel
| will the Filipinos continue their pres
ent tactics, and the result will be /
there should be greater delay tina
AguinaldO may even after such ratif
cation decline to recognize the SOW
ereignty of the United States and pre-
! cipitate q conflict.
1t may, therefore, be stated that tn
president does not want the treaty t.
go over for consideration at an eXtr
session He wants ratification, and h
wants it now