The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-01-13
rEasUAsIor sEFoaE rowDEa

PERsUAsION BEFORE POwDER
EfIorss 10 Prevent CenflfcS with the
Philfppinos The Situation Very
Critical
London, January 9.-The Philippine
COMMITTEES in Paris. Madrid and London
-xelegraphed on Saturday to President
Mckinley. The Paris dispatch read:
I'VE protest against he disembarka-
ten OF American troops at Iloilo."
The London telegram said: Treaty
of peace still unratiied. American
claim of sovereignty premature. Pray
reconsider resolution regarding Iioilo.
Philippines wish for the friendship OF
America and abhor mihtarism and de-
ceit."
A representative OF the Associated
Press learns that the Philippine junta
OF Paris has received a telegram from
the Philippine agent at Hong Kong,
dated Saturday, n saying: Fight
with the Americans unavoidable. We
are not the aggressors."
A telegram from an English
at Manila today says h situation Is
very strained and there is much ankle
ty there. The dispatch also contained
NEWS IIOm 1fOulDt LuC SQOcIdDCC VI
which was that the American troops
had not yet landed.
The members of the Philippine junta
-discredit a statement published In The
Globe here this afternoon that the
United States government has ordered
Agoncillo, the representative Of Agui-
naldo, to leave Washington. They say
they would surely have heard the news
If 1t had been true.
Mail odyi1oc From fha ao-calla6 Phil
ippino government received here today,
say that Aguinaldo has decided that
all foreign trade entering ports under
Philippine control will be admitted OF
the payment of a duty of 5 per cent.
ad valorem, and that all export trade
is liable to a duty of / per cent. ad va
loren.
Washington, January "a great deal
of r%eticence is exhibited at the war
department relative to the state of af-
fairs at Iloilo. 1t is admitted that
General Otis has reported to the de-
partment the facts that were reported
to him by General Miller, 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 officials at the war
department should, at this stage, main
tain secrecy as to the instructions gov
erning the movement Of troops in the
Philippines. The situation is admitted
to be critical, but not hopeless by any
means, and it is extremely desirable
that the danger of a rupture shall not
be increased by in1ammatory pubhca-
~tions, which powerfully effect the ex-
scitable Philippines.
1t is believed that General Otis is
framing a plan Of campaign which
will result in fha extension of his CON-
1trol over the island of Panay without
/. actual hostilities or, if it must come,
to warfare, then with the least posi-
BILE exposure of the American roops
Probably the first step in this cam
paign has been taken by this time in
the establishment Of a camp on the is
land of Guimarar, lying only a few
miles from Iloilo and easily accessible
ito the warships. This probably will be
made the base of operations if HOSTILE
tiles become I'm avoidable. The govern
ment, however, has not abandoned
hope that a pc. aceful solution can be
reached.
The governments instructions sent
SIC General Miller at IlOilo swere to land
and get in comm :unication with the
insurgents. This is as far as his Or
rders have gone, except that when he
has established Communication with
NAO . SCAL OADSlt No oAA0 R1oPNS AS 10
ito make public the purposes of the
United States. Not ~ shot is to be fired
by the forces Of tn Is country, unless
they are attacked or until further or
ders are given from h ere.
This programme was' agreed upon be-
tween President McKi nley and Secre-
tary Alger several days ago Secretary
Alger was at the WI ute house for
sometime this afternoon He stated in
the most emphatic te rms that no
alarming news has come from General
Otis and that he Gid not believe a shot
had been fired so"far or II rat one would
be fired. He is confident that General
Miller will De able TO han die the stu
alton successfully and OBJ tain control
of 1loi1o without bIoodshed. He rs of
the opinion that the insurg ents have
been so long imposed upon that they
are naturally suspicious and fear the
worst If they surrender theil : strong
holds into the hands of the United
States.
The policy to be adopted no w is a
gentle one. ersuaSion will b. : used
powder. That will be the . last
resort, and Secretary Alger is op, 1mls-
tic in his views that it viii neve " be
necessary. The president, it is 'aid,
also views the situation in a simils lrly
He believes that me
Philippines will become less suspicio US
they understand more fully tt He
Of this country. He be :
that careful work on the part
Of the prudent official will convince the
of the earnestness of the |
United States and of the purpose of his
government to protect their lives and
property.
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