The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-02-19


to act in case like this. the opinion
is expressed that had General Miller
landed his forces and done his palaver-
ing on shore, he would have met with
no resistance, as the natives were
wholly unprepared for such an emer-
gency. Every hour of delay, however,
gives the rebels SO much more time to
strengthen their forces and position,
and in case of trouble now the Ameri-
cans cannot possibly effect landing
without getting hurt At IL O'Clock De-
cember 29th large number of native
soldiers marched into town from both
Jaro and Molo. At a rough estimate
their reinforcements numbered from
1000 to 1,50O. They were armed with
all sorts of weapons-Mausers, Rem
ingtons, old Wimchesters, shotguns,
sporting rifles and muskets. Before
daylight, however, all but 300 of them,
who were put upon outpost duty had
left the city for the suburbs.
A more complete evacuation than
that made by the Spaniards of this
place on December 25th last would be
impossible to imagine, and those who
participated in the exodus carried away
with them everything of a portable ma
ture they wanted. Those who witnessed
1t say that for hours constant stream
of vehicles, loaded with furniture. new
and secondhand, odds and ends of ma
chinery, old brooms, tin, cans and ev-
erythhg else imaginable, poured down
to the wharf, to embark upon the two
transports and three gunboats which
conveyed them to Camboangan on
Mindanao Island
For some hours after the departure of
the Spaniards the town was practically
deserted, only few foreign residents
inhabiting it.
Unlike Manila, there are no walls,
moats, nor ill-smelling creeks at Iloilo.
and its streets are wide and clean.
There is a dilapidated old fort at the
north end, but it is scarcely worthy of
the appellation and a six-pounder shell
would probably demolish it entirely.
The foreigners, for the most part,
judging from the flags exhibited, ap-
pear to be Swiss, English and German.
the only American flag being that float
ing over the residence of the British
Vice Consul, Mr.. CHEN, who is also
looking after American interests here
Early December Both, the foreign
residents here addressed petition TO
General Miller for q suspension of hos
tilities long enough to enable the reb-
els to communicate with Aguina,do
upon the ground that a fight would
cause inestimable destruction of life
and property ashore and lead to seri-
Gus consequences in the interior. Gen
eral Miller replied that he must re-
gretfully decline to entertain such a
proposition at this juncture.
Acting upon this tip, General Miller
ordered the Pennsylvania and Arizona
to move up, and these vessels prompt
ly steamed in, the latter coming to
anchor in front of the city, sand not
over 300 yards off shore Early in the
morning fully 1000 rebels came into
town, and at Jaro and Molo there were
at least 10000 more ready to move at
moments notice. Most of them,
however, were armed with volos ina
chetes) only, although some have ri
fles.
AT noon delegation consisting of
Angel Corteza, Eduardo Esterah and
Augustin Soils presented a sealed let
ter to General Miller from the Presi-
dent of the Visayan Federation, Il.
Lopez. This proved to be to the effect
that the insurgents could recognize no
authority but that of iAguinaldo, and
that until they received Instructions
from him they would not answer for
the conduct of their army if any at
tempt was made to land troops. Gen
eral Miller informed the delegates that
he would be satisfied with the occupa-
ton of Iloilo, and that he had no inten-
ton of taking possession of the whole
island at this time, but they were OBJ
durate, and with curt, We'll, gen.
tlemen, that ends the conference" Cen
eral Miller closed the interview. 1t
TRANSFERRED during this conference that
the rebels wanted to know what form
of government would be guaranteed
them, and what assurances could be
given them that the island of Panay
would be admitted to Statehood if they
acceded to the demands of the Ameri-
cans.
After the delegation had returned to
shore General Miller at once COM
menced preparations to lan6 his force.
but sent Colonel Potter, who arrived
from Manila with dispatches at Z a. M.
back to Manila for further instruc-
tons.
A delegation arrived here December
Both from the island of Negros for the
purpose of submitting a proposition to
the Americans. He said that the ma
jority of the people of that place were
willing to DE annexed to the United
States, provided they were granted
Statehood. He claimed that, as Spain
lost not only the cities, but the entire
island to the natives, they cannot be
of Luzon or Panay.
tod hor
yesterday by the arrival of the Span
ish gunboat Ell Cano flying the hated
! Spanish flag, and the fact that the
Americans paid no attention to her
seemed to incense the natives, who
were apparently full of fight. Almost
every boat along the river was filled
with armed rebels, and the fort, public
buildings and churches swarmed with
these doughty soldiers, who maintain
| admirable order, despite their excite
ment.
/ One significant feature of the situa-
| ton was that all the women left Iloilo.
Many of them simply went to Jaro, but
! others crossed the channel and took
refuge upon the small island opposite
| this place Another is that the 800
native soldiers supposedly loyal to the
Spaniards), who were returned here on
/ board the transport Rosario, promptly
| Joined the rebels upon being landed.
Being armed, they proved valuable
reinforcement Under the circum-
/ stances it is not likely that those
brought down on the steamship Union,
who were refused permission to land at
Manila. will be landed here. In fact,
| it is generally understood that she Is
being held by General Miller for the