The times., 1899-02-09
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1881.
AguiBaido's Power Gone.

The American eagle is not a crow. That
IS the important discovery that has been
made by Aguinaldo's dupes. He seemed
a harmless and modest bird. Fiiininos
threw clods at him, Knocked him. dared him
TO come down of his perch. It was not
until they pulled at his tail feathers that
ne aroused himself. There was a busy
zine OF it for some hours; then the Fill
pinos came with white flags and good
words That is TO say, the natives were
deluded into the belief that as they had
done with the Spapiards, so could they
do with the Americans. Their awakening
10 the truth is described in the messages
Of General Otis. The rebel army is de-
Iaoralized and very widely scattered, many
Of the soldiers returning TO their homes
without guns and with no disposition 10
fsht any more AguinaIdo's prestige and
rover are gone. The Tagalos have nc con
ddence in him and no use for him. To save
himself from arrest and punishment he
sent In white flag for conference
neat trick 10 secure recognition as bei.ig-
srent.
General Otis has demonstrated the jus
He is a superb soldier" said the former
commander at Manila. The perfect dis
Position of his army and the mastery
manner in which he adopted the new sys-
TEN Of fighting which the enemy made
aecessary-his remarkable feat of cover
ing a long line and making an advance
over many miles without single blunder
or momentary repulse-proves that he
wa exactly the commander for the hour.
Like some other American fighters es-
peciaily like Admiral Dewey. he possesses
the qualities Of the diplomat. also. He re-
fused to receive Aguinaldos flag OF truce.
The first impulse OF 4 mere soldier would
have been the reverse of this. He was
prompt 10 penetrate the design Of the willy
rebel who had just issued a bombastic
declaration Of war. Ii Aguinaldo's army
solution. he would not want a conference
50 soon after his proclamation.
The action Of General Otis shows that be
has the situation we'll in hand and he is
OF opinion evidently, that the rebels will
not soon be in condition to make another
attempt There will be no such mistake.
as threatened the Santiago, expedition
through the inefficiency of its commander
General Otis reports that the city is quiet
business is resumed, and the citizens more
respectful toward the Americans than al
any time since they entered the place This
means that Aguinaldo's sympathizers in
Manila have had enough. The same is trut
of TIE people in the villages. TO which
the Filipino soldiers are returning will
white flags. The fact that eight miles
beyond the present American lines no Sc,
r.ous resistance was offered to the advance
of small bodies Of our troops is the hes
evidence that it VIII take some time Il
rally any considerable number OF Aguin
aldo's force If that be ever possible.
II is stated that General Miller has beer
instructed 10 take IloilO. He has assertet
his ability 10 do this. although the insur
Eants outnumbered his force. There is
hope that the town will be surrenderei
without fight, but if a Fight be necessar
General Miller will see that there is n
loss OF American prestige.
On the whole we may be more thai
gratifed by the work OF our army in III
Philippines. The veterans of a dozen bat
tlcs could not have been done better Wit
the fall of Iloilo we may consider the wa
at an end and the self-appointed dictate
viii soon be prisoner or 4 fugitive.