MILLER TO ESTADO FEDERAL DE BISAYAS, FEBRUARY 10, 1899

HDQRS. FIRST SEPARATE BRIGADE, EIGHTH ARMY CORPS,
ON BOARD TRANSPORT NEWPORT,
Iloilo Harbor, P. I., February 10, 1899.

COMMANDING GENERAL NATIVE FORCES, iloilo.

SIR: In a communication from Gen. Roque Lopez, dated December 31, 1898, it was stated that armed resistance would be offered to the forces of the United States in case they attempted to occupy Iloilo without the consent of General Aguinaldo. This communication was referred, for instructions, to Major-General Otis, commanding the United States forces in the Philippine Islands. After a long delay orders have arrived, and I am now directed by him to occupy the city of Iloilo with my troops as soon as practicable. I therefore call on you to deliver up the city of Iloilo and adjacent territory, and to surrender the armed forces occupying the same before sunset Saturday, the 11th instant, or I shall proceed with my troops to occupy the city by force. It is requested that you give warning to all noncombatants in Iloilo, Jaro, and Molo that in case of resistance their city and villages will be exposed to bombardment. Any attempt on your part in the interim to close the Iloilo River or to throw up or improve any defensive works will at once be met by fire from the United States war ships and my troops. Free ingress and egress to boats going to and coming from Iloilo will be permitted until sunset Saturday, the 11th instant. After this time all communications must be under flag of truce.

Official communication has been received by the steamship Butuan* of the complete defeat and scattering of the insurgent forces in the neighborhood of Manila.

Very respectfully,

M. P. MILLER,
Brigadier-General, U. S. V., Commanding.


*this is S.S. Butuan in other versions of this letter