The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1899-01-10
.REnCENT ABOUT NOLO.
Dispatches from Gen. Otis to War De-
partment Carefully Guarded
Situation Critical.
NO HosIIlI1IEs EXPECTED, HOWEVER.

Policy to BE Adopted to BE n Gentle
One-PersuasiOn Before Powder
Filipino Agent at Paris Sends Dis
patch to President Protesting
Against Landing Troops at Iloilo.
Washington, Jan. "a great deal of
reticence is exhibited at the war de-
partment relative to the state of affairs
at Iloilo. 1t is admitted that Gen. Otis
has reported to the department the
facts that were reported to him in turn
by Gen. Miller, but all that can be gath
cred as to the nature of the commune
cation is that it goes to confirm the
press reports as to the attitude of the
insurgents. There are excellent rea-
sons why the officials at the war depart
ment should at this stage maintain
secrecy as to the instructions govern
ing the movement of troops in the Phil
ippines. 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 inflammatory publica-
tions, which powerfully affect the ex-
citable Filipinos.
Framing Plan of Campaign,
1t is believed that Gen. Otis is franz
ing plan of campaign which will re-
suit in the extension of his control
over the island of Panay at least with
out actual hostilities or, if it must come
to warfare, then with the least possible
exposure of the American troops,
Probably the first step in this cam
paign has been taken by this time in
the establishment of camp on the
plains of Guiamaras, lying only few
miles from Iloilo and easily accessible
to the warships. This probably will be
made the base of operations if hostil-
tiles become unavoidable. The govern
ment, however, has not abandoned
hope that peaceful solution can be
reached.
A Gentle Policy.
The policy to be adopted now is a
gentle one. Persuasion will be used
before powder. That will be the last
resort, and Secretary Alger is optim-
istic in his view that it will never be
necessary. The president, it is said,
also views the situation in similarly
hopeful manner. He believes that the
Filipinos will become less suspicious
when they understand more fully the
intentions of this country. He believes
that careful work on the part of
prudent officials will convince the Fill
ipinos of the earnestness of the United
States and of the purpose of this gov
ernment to protect their lives and
property.
Protest from Filipinos.
London, Jan. 9. - The Filipino com.
mittees in Paris, Madrid and London
telegraphed on Saturday to Presiden.
Mckinley. The Paris dispatch read:
1--WE protest against the decentralization
of American troops at Iloilo."
The London telegram said:
"The treaty of peace Still unratified.
American claim OF sovereignty premature.
Pray reconsider resolution regarding Iloilo
Filipinos wish for the friendship of Amer
lea and abhor militarism and deceit
A representative of the press learns
that the Filipino junta of Paris has re-
l.
agent at Hong Kong, dated Saturday
and saying:
"Fight with Americans unavoidable. We
are not the aggressors."
A telegram from an English house
at Manila says the situation is very
strained and that there is much anxiety
there. The dispatch also contained
news from Iloilo, the substance OF
which was that the American troops
had not yet landed.
The members of the Filipino junta
discredit statement published in the
Globe here that the United States gov
ernment has ordered Agoncillo, the
representative of Aguinaldo, to leave
Washington. They say they surely
would have heard the news if it had
been true.
Mail advices from the so-called
Filipino government, received here
Monday. say that Aguinaldo has de-
cided that ali foreign trade entering
ports under Filipino controlwll be adj
mit.ed on the payment of duty Of five
per cent ad valorem and that all export
trade is liable to duty of one per cent.
ad valorem
Filipinos Not warIiIse.
San Francisco, Jan. a. Father
Diaz. leader of the ten Spanish priests
from Manila who are in this city on
their way to Panama, says:
''The Filipinos are not naturally war
like and would not be now opposing the
United States We're 1t not for the leaders
who are squirting them On. These leaders
are in the work solely for personal gain
and would prove hard masters for the
weaker portion of the natives should they
gain the power. AT Iloilo. where was sta
toned. there would have been little fight
ing If 1t had not been for these malcon-
tents who fairly forced the natives TO take
up arms. Most of these men who are at
he head of the insurgent movement are
Mestices or half-breed. AS to Agunaldo
himself he is crafty fellow and has
Following among those people who hope
20 climb by his advancement | do not
consider Agninaldo personally responsible
or all the brutality shown our friars. yet
ne could have prevented a. good portion OF
II II he had seen lit TO do so