The San Francisco call., 1899-03-10

4 AOOLOO, NeRTOS lSlanQt MARCH
u 4, via Manila, March 9-After a
pleasant voyage the steamship
- St. Paul, carrying the deputa
ton from Negros Island, Colonel
James F. Smith. first American Gov
ernor Of Negros. and the First Battal-
ion Of the First California Regiment
Major Sine commanding, arrived at
IloilO on March 3. As the vessel entered
the harbor at midday it found the ar
tillery in action and General Millers
command advancing into the cocOanut
plantations at the right of the Amer
lean line.
7 learned from the officers on the
cruiser Boston that General Miller
fearing an organized and strong attack
upon the town, had requested assist
anoe in lar ling. Captain Wilde was
unable to accede to this request, owing
10 the fact that a portion of his crew
was at Cebu.
It was at first expected that the Cali
fOrnians would land and assist General
MiIler's forces. but on landing I met
General Miller returning from the front
and learned that it was only a false
alarm.
Iloilo was terribly wrecked by the in
surgent incerdiaries and presents a
scene of desolation. Magnificent resi-
denCes and sreat warehouses were to-
tally destroyed. General Miller and his
staff are confident they can hold the
town. The insurgent strength is not
definitely known, but il is believed that
there are 2000 men armed with fire
arms and 2000 boIamen. They follow
similar tactics to those Of the natives
at Manila. dropping irritating shots
into the American lines throughout the
night, but never appearing in sufficient
strength to justify a resOlute forward
movement. Few casualties are reported.
The ST. Paul proceeded to Bacolod
and arrived at noon to-day. Company
4 landed with Major Slime and myself.
We found a native guard Of honor
drawn up on the beach and President
Lacson of the local native Government,
whose party had arrived the previous
night, received US. The inhabitants
We're amiabIy disposed and the Amer
lean flag was already flying from an
unfinished convent. All were prepared
for the reception of our troops.
Captain AIilIay of the Signal Corps
landed Immediately and within half an
hour had reopened communication with
Iloilo by cable. The following message
was sent over:
The Governor, Congress and inhabitants
of Negros Island TO General Miller, Iloilo
We affectionately salute you and con-
graduate yourselves upon the happy ar
rival of Colonel Smith and the troops
under your orders. and beg you 10 send
this salutatiOn To General Otis as the rep
resentative of the Government of the
United States AZ Manila.
ANICITO LACSON.
Later in the afternoon Colonel Smith
landed. He was received with full
military honors by the native and Am
erican troops. the native band playing
a salute on the beach Colonel Smith
was most cordially and enthusiastic
ally received, and as he has full power
to establish the native administration
under American control it will be in
teIesting TO watch this experiment to
gain the good viii Of the native race
and establish peace again in these
beautiful islands.
AS the landing is extremely difficult,
the natives carried Colonel Smith
ashore from his launch in bamboo
chair amidst renewed and continued
cheers of the populace.
BacOlOd is a small town with an ap-