Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1899-01-11
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Filipino Committees Cable Pres
ident Mckinley.
ANXIETY AT MANILA
Paris Juuta Receives Advices that q
Fight with Americans is
UnaVoidab BILE.


Kinley. The Paris dispatch read: 1--WE
protest against the Decentralization of
American troops at 1lOilo.'
The London telegram said: 1.-THE treaty
of peace still unratifed American claim
of sovereignty premature. Pray recon
slider resolution regarding Iloilo. Fill
pinos wish for the friendship of America
and abhor militarism and deceit
y representative of the Associated
press learns that the Filipino iunta of
Paris has received Il telegram from the
Filipino agent at Hong Kong, dated Sat
urday, and saying: Flight with Ameri-
cans unavoidable. We are not the ag-
greSSOrS."
\ telegram from an English house at
Manila today says the situation is very
strained and that there is much anxiety
there. The dispatch also contained news
from 1loilO, the substance of which was
that the American troops had not yet
landed
The members of the Filipino junta dis
credit a statement published in the Globe
here this afternoon that the United
States government has ordered Agoncil-
10, the representative of AguinaldO, to
leave Washington. They say they sure
ly would have heard the news if it had
been true.
Mail advices from the so-called Fill
plnO government, received here today.
say that Aguinaldo has decided that all
foreign trade entering ports under Fill
Pine control will be admitted on the pay
ment of a duty of per cent. ad yalorem,
and that all export traders liable TO duty
on j per cent. ad valorem.
Critical, bnt Not Hopeless.
Washington, D. c.. Jan. ga great
deal of reticence is exhibited at the war
department relative to the state of affairs
at IloilO. 1t is admitted that Gen. Otis
has reported to the department the facts
that were reported to him III turn by
Gen. MR;er 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 Off
Gals of 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 critical but not hope
less by any means and it is extremely de-
sirable that the danger of rupture
shall not be increased by indam
matory publications, which power
fully affect the excitahle Fillpinos.
1t IS believed that Gen. Otis is
framing plan of campaign which will
result in the extension Of his control
over the island of Panay at least with
out actual hOStilities or If it must come
to warfare, then with the least possible
exposure of the American troops. Prob
ably the first step III this campaign has
been taken by this time IN the estl blish-
ment of Il camp on the plains of Guia-
maras, lying only Il few miles from Ilo-
Ito and easily accessible to the Warships
This probably will be made the base of
operations If hOstilities become unayOid-
able. The government, however. has not
abandoned hope that 4 peaceful solution
can be reached.
The governments Instructions sent to
Gen. Miller at lloilC were to land and
get IN communication with the insur-
gents. This Is as far as his orders have
gone except that when he has eSta b.
hshed communication with the insurgent
officials and people he is to make public
the purposes Of the United States.
Not shot is to be fired by the forces
OF this country unless they are attacked
or until further orders are given from
mere. This programme was agreed upon
between President Mckinley and Secre-
tary Alger several days ago
Secretary Alger was at the white house
TOR some time this afternoon. He stated
III the most emphatic terms that no
alarming news has come from Gen. Otis
and that he did not believe shot had
been fired so far or that one would be
fired. He IS confident that Gen Miller
VIII be able to handle the situation sue
cessfully and obtain control 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 strOngholds into the hands of the
United States. The policy to be adopted
now is q gentle one. Persuasion will be
used before powder. That will be the
last resort and Secretary AIger is oDti-
mistic III his views that it will never be
necessary.
The President. it is said. also views
the situation in a similarly hopeful man
ner. He believes that the Filipinos will
become less suspicious when they under
stand more fully the intentions of this
country. He believes that careful work
on the part Of prudent officials will CON
vince the EllipinOs of the earnestness of
the United States and OF the purpose OF
this government to protect their lives
and property.
May Burn the Town.
Manila, Jan. G.-Col Potter. the sDe,
cial emissary Of Gen. Otis between Ma
Mia and Iloilo, arrived Sunday with dis
patches from the latter point.
The situation when he left there was
practically unchanged. The streets were
barricaded and it was reported that the
principal buildings had been "kerOsened !"
the insurgents having threatened to de-
stroy the whole business section by fire
at the first shot of bOmbardment. The
bankers are sending their treasure
to the United States transport Newport
and other vessels. The family of the
American vice-consul has gone on board
the Newport.
Privates Harry Silvey and Frank
kirkpatrick of the Sixth United States
artillery, while guarding a water boat
astern of the Newport, were alta cled by
the natives of the crew. Private Sill
vey's skull was fractured, fatally, and
kirkpatrick fell overheard but escaped
with flesh wound.
In it for Personal Gain.
San Francisco, Cal, Jan. 9.-Fathor
Diaz, leader of the ten Spanish priests
from Manila. who are in this city on
their way to Panama. says:
THE Filipinos are not naturally war
like and would not be now opposing the
United States were it not for the leaders
who are squirting them on. These lead
ers are in the work solely for personal
gain and would serve hard masters for
the weaker portion of the natives should
they gain the power. At Iloilo where /
was stationed, there would have been lit
tie fighting if it had not been for these.
malcontentS who fairly forced the ma
tives to take up arms. Most of these men
who are at the head Of the insurgent move
I,@Y INlf