MILLER MEETS WITH THE ESTADO FEDERAL DE BISAYAS
On December 29, 1898, as the Estado had promised yesterday to meet Miller aboard his ship, four Filipino officials came aboard the Newport. They were Raymundo Melliza, Vicente Franco, C. Lopez (must be Roque Lopez instead) and Ramon Avanceņa.
General Miller's Arrival at Iloilo
Miller held a conference with the Estado Federal de Bisayas aboard USAT Newport, his first conference aboard the Newport.
Miller to Otis, Dec 30 1898
Miller was under orders to be conciliatory.
"It is most important that there should be no conflict with the insurgents. Be conciliatory but firm." - Mckinley
Mckinley to Otis, Dec 23 1898
So Miller requested permission to land his troops, his first of a few similar requests (all refused), in two days, on December 31, 1898.
"I asked them if they would not have their troops march out of the city and permit us, their friends, to move in without resistance ... the 31st instant." - Miller
Miller to Otis, Dec 30 1898
The Filipino officials replied that they needed time to consult with the committee that they represented, promising to return with a definite reply at noon tomorrow.
Miller to Otis, Dec 30 1898
The response came the next day in the form of a letter from Roque Lopez. They don't consent to the American landing.
Lopez to Miller, Dec 30 1898
Miller replied to Roque Lopez the same day, December 30, 1898.
"I have the honor to express my regret that your committee has concluded to offer armed resistance to the occupancy of Iloilo by the United States forces at this time. I shall wait for the present in a spirit of friendship, hoping that your opinions may change after reconsideration." - Miller
Miller to Lopez, Dec 30 1898
Roque Lopez wrote to Miller again on December 31, 1898. (This was probably the letter brought to the Newport and given to Miller in the conference held today, although Miller enclosed yesterday's letter in his third report to Otis)
Lopez to Miller, Dec 31 1898
At noon a delegation consisting of Angel Corteza, Eduardo Esterah and Augustin Solis came aboard the Newport and presented a sealed letter to General Miller from the President of the Visayan Federation, Roque Lopez.
General Miller's Arrival at Iloilo
Miller held another conference with the Estado Federal de Bisayas aboard USAT Newport, his second conference aboard the Newport.
Miller to Otis, Dec 31 1898
Miller now openly declared that he had come to take Iloilo.
"General Miller, an old Indian-fighter, who had chafed under his restricting orders, now openly declared that he had come to take Ilo Ilo, and was bound to do it; that he wished to avoid bloodshed, but as the insurgents were not open to advances, they must take the consequences."
The Taking of Iloilo
After the delegation had returned to shore, General Miller at once commenced preparations to land his force.
General Miller's Arrival at Iloilo
But the landing did not push through because of the arrival of another petition from Iloilo merchants.
Upon hearing that Filipinos intend to burn Iloilo if and when fighting would erupt, the Iloilo merchants sent a petition to Miller, asking him to hold off his landing.
Iloilo Merchants' Petition to Miller, Dec 29 1898
Miller finds this new petition contradicting to the first one.
"I understand, General, that it was at the request of many of the parties signing this petition for protection of life and property at Iloilo that this expedition was organized and dispatched to this point; that their request was largely its justification. Their present attitude contradicts their previous petition in a measure."
Miller to Otis, Dec 31 1898
As a forced landing could lead to great loss of life among non combatants and destruction of private property, Miller deemed it best to hold off his landing until he can receive instructions from Otis.
Miller to Otis, Dec 31 1898
Miller wrote his third report to Otis. He communicated to Otis the current situation and waited for his instructions.
Miller to Otis, Dec 31 1898