The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-01-04
Is Directly TraceabIe to the Spanish
Commander at IlOio.
THE POSITION Of AGUINALD0.
It - Believed the New Parliament
viii Have Majority Against Him
and the Task of the Americans
VIII BE mplifcd-Dcwey
Makes No Mention Of the
Political Situation.

WASHINGON. ID. c.. Jan 3.-GeneraI
Otis, commanding at Manila. has cabed
rae War Department that in his opinion
General Miller has The situation well in
hand at lloiio. and that he fully UNDER
stands the purpose of the President n0g
ID crowd the insurgents unduly.
Il is highly desirable that hostile col
lision between the American forces and
the insurgents bc avoided at all hazards.
az least pending the ratification or tho
peace treaty, and as General Miller now
understands thi5 purpose OF the Pres dent
he Will be guided by it. and may bc relied
upon 90 resort 10 force only on absolute
compuisiOn.
CAUSE OF TROUBLE
The authorities here are now fully sat-
isdcd tAat the trouble az lloilo may be
traced directly back 10 the Spanish coll
onel, who was the senior Spanish army
officer and directly In command OF the
Nlsayas group. including the principal
island Of Panay and The city and garri-
son Of llOilo. General Otis' reports show
that, though bosieged with HIS soldiers
I'm lloilo by % superior force. the position
of the Spanish was thoroughly tenable.
They had repulsed every attack OF tho
insurgents and had Inflicted great loss
upon the latter and altogether there
was no reason why they should not have
held ont indefinitely. This was partlcu-
larly the case I'm view of the knowledge
on The part OF the Spaniards that by the
terms of the treaty the United states
Government has undertaken 10 carry
them back 20 Spain. involving. OF course.
their release from the siege at the ear
liest practicable moment
TO EAlBARRASS AMERICANS.
IHI D. .|.N mo- HHH.a IlHHH-
alton of lloilo until be- became informed
that the Americans were coming. and
there Is curiosity here 10 learn how that
important Information reached Iloilo
IN advance of the movements OF the
American transports and In the absence
of cnble connections Undoubtedly
it was conveyed by vessel. and there
may De a question raised as 10 the iegit-
macy ~ the news of he American m
tentlons conveyed in this fashion.
General Otis has given no notice in
his dispatch Of the approaching meeting
Of the Filipino Parliament
AGUINALDO's POSITION.
4 good deal of interest is attached 10
this meeting, and General OTIS reports
that bv the attendance the strength OF
Aeuinaldo's party can be- gaugci That
this is waning rapidly Sc not doubted.
and General Otis feels that when ths
attempt is made 20 convene the Parlia-
ment 90 win De found that Aguinaldo
has lost hls control OF the majority and
cannot command even a working coal-
ton. Such "a state OF affairs would tend
To make easier the task OF the military
authorities OF the United states In es-
tabnshiug peacefully a temporary form
OF government for the Philippines that
will command the support OF the peo-
plo and receive the approval Of the evil
lied world.
PROCLAMATION WITHHELD.
General Otis has not yet published the
proclamation by President Mckinney
which was cabled from Washington 10
him about a week ago. Feeling full con-
dence In his Judgment. the officials here
are not disposed 10 question his with
holding the proclamation, though
would seem that tho animating purpose
I'm preparing and circulating 10 was 10
soothe and satisfy the FilipinOs and conn-
teract the insidious attacks the Spanish
element has been making upon the IN
tegrity of the Americans intentions re-
specting the Philippines.
DEWEY REPORTS.
Admiral Dewey was heard from ny ca
bie al the Navy Department to-day, but
made no reference 90 the political sitil1-
had found building suitable Tor naval
hospital at Cawte. and asked authority
from the department 20 establish II al
once. II was not gathered that there
is an unusual amount Of sickness among
the American sailors, hut realizing that
naval occupation Of Manila Bay II 20
be OF a permanent character Admira1
Dewey wishes TO establish "a shore nos
pital s
Secretary Long called upon Surgeon
General yan Relpon and after a consul
tation. cablod Admiral Dewey the de-
sired permission.
NEWS REASSURiNG.
A cable gram from Gen. OTIS at Manila
was read az to-day's Cabinet meeting.
II Is said 10 have stated that the news
from uoilo was reassuring. but the de-
tails were not made public. NO other
matters 81 Importance were brought for-
ward and the meeting adjourned al an
,,,usraIfv early hour.