WILLIAM JENNINGS BRYAN

RELYING ON BRYAN

Iloilo, Island of Panay, March 20. - All expectations of the complete pacification of this island before the approaching rainy season have preforce been abandoned, and plans are being matured for the concentration of our troops in the few posts which it is intended to occupy during that time. Two months ago, to all appearances, the opposition to our Administration was about to vanish. Iloilo and Capiz Provinces were clear and quiet. Soon, however, disorder broke out in Concepcion, spread into Iloilo and necessitated and expidition into Antique. Now it has become necessary to dispatch ten companies to Antique, so bold have the Insurgents become in the mountains and no post in Iloilo Province will be garrisoned by less than two companies in the rainy season.

From contact with representative and influential natives in the interior I have been able to learn pretty thoroughly the cause of this renewal of life and apparent resurrection of faith in ultimate Filipino success in the war.

In almost every case these natives assured me that Bryan had been elected President of the United States, and had taken office on the 4th of March of the current year. The American troops were soon to be withdrawn, and the islands left to themselves.

In one case I was told of a letter from Manila which gave this important information, and urged all the people to stand firm and keep up the struggle. This rumor is widespread in the disaffected districts and is readily accepted.

Lawrence, Mar 20 1900