HUGHES, DECEMBER 20, 1899

Hughes had returned to his headquarters at lloilo, whence, on December 20, he cabled the following:

Situation in Panay: No organized enemy now known to be in the provinces of lloilo, Concepcion, or Capiz. Possibly a force may still be in Valley Acklan, as I could not reach it by either road or trail from Capiz, and during this monsoon coast landings impracticable. It will have to be reached from west coast. Antique province has not yet been touched, but plans have been made for doing so. The business of the island has improved, and but two or three complaints of robbers have so far been received. Situation in Negros: Some insurgents did doubtless endeavor to escape from Panay to central and northern Negros, but I was in Dumaguete yesterday, and eastern and southern Negros are reported to be absolutely at rest, and everybody attending to business. The business men now here from Negros are busy about their affairs and do not fear serious trouble. Experience has taught me to discount heavily telegrams from Bacolod, but I shall look into the matter very carefully. In Cebu the troops have done nothing since the raid of the Tennessee Volunteers. There are now 14 companies and 2 field and 2 mountain guns on that island. When I reached there on the 18th the estimated strength of the insurgents was 150 rifles. During the evening a report came in stating that 250 rifles and 3,500 rounds of ammunition had been landed at Sogod from Leyte. The enemy are located on the mountain ridges and reaching them is too difficult, * * * So far as I can learn in the few hours I have been back everything has gone as anticipated and there are no reasons for anxiety. Hale's battalion being ordered directly to Negros, do the others of the Forty-fourth come to the district?

otis-1900may14-visayanmilitarydistrict

- o -