Jasper County Democrat, Volume 1, Number 40, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 January 1899 — ILOILO TO BE TAKEN [ARTICLE]

ILOILO TO BE TAKEN

M’KINLEY ORDERS AMERICAN SOLDIERS TO LAN a Ajrainaldo’s Followers Will Be Overcome by Force, If Necessary, bat Their Peaceful Submission Is Expected— Issne Rests with Natives. The United States will force the issue with the Filipinos. This decision may lead to a harassing war with the natives of the Philippines. It is hoped and believed such a calamity will be averted, but it remains for the insurgents to determine what the result will be. It is reported from Washington that the President has ordered Gen. Miller to land his troops at Iloilo. The American commander is directed to be conciliatory toward the natives, but at the same time he is instructed to use force, if necessary, to effect his landing and establish himself in the desired camp. In other words, Gen. Miller is to act on the defensive. He will not fire a gun unless attacked by the Filipinos, bat if the natives willfully shoot at his soldiers he is to administer a dose of American retribution and marksmanship. Gen. Miller has about 3,000 soldiers at Iloilo, and among them are men of the Fifty-first lowa infantry. lie will also have the support of several gunboats, for Admiral Dewey notified Secretary Long of the Navy Department that he had sent the Concord and the Petrel to join the naval force under Col. Dyer at Iloilo. It is not known how strong a force the insurgents have at that point. The War Department has information which seems to indicate the natives have only about 8,000 stand of arms, and it is assumed that fairly represents their fighting power at Iloilo. They have no modern artillery, while the American force is well equipped In that respect. There is no doubt of the ability of Gen. Miller to defeat the Filipinos in pitched battle, but he has been warned not to be the aggressor. Dispatches from Manila report rumors that Aguinaldo has gone to Iloilo to take command of the insurgent force. He has hitherto assumed an attitude of hostility to American authority, but advices from Gen. Otis lead American officials to believe he will submit when forced to a final decision between peace and war. The instructions of the President relative to the administration of affairs in the Philippine Islands, as transmitted to Gen. Otis at Manila, are comprehensive enough to fully meet present conditions as well as any contingencies that may arise. The President urges that the commander of the forces of occupation shall proclaim that we come “not as invaders or conquerors, but as friends, to protect the natives in their homes, in their employments and in their personal and religious rights.” After promising support and protaction to those who will co-operate with the Government to give effect to these benefits and purposes, the President declares that, while the military authority must be ‘supreme until the legislation of the United States shall otherwise provide, the municipal laws of the territory in respect to private rights and the repression of crime will remain In force,' all ports in the islands will be opened to the commerce of all friendly nations, and all goods will be admitted upon payment of “such duties as ■hall be in force at the time of their importation”; and the officers to administer local governmental affairs are to be selected as far as may be practicable from the inhabitants of the islands after they have taken the oath of allegiance to the United States. The instructions adequately convey the purpose of our Government In assuming control of the Philippines.