th and rubble. The opposite side of
the creek, facing the shipping-quarter, is a low marshy waste,
occasionally converted into a swamp at certain tides. The creek
forms the harbour of Yloilo, which is just as Nature made it, except
that there is a roughly-constructed quayway on the left-hand shore
on entering. Only vessels of light draft can enter; large vessels
anchor in the roadstead, which is the channel between Yloilo harbour
and Guimaras Island.

The general aspect of Yloilo and its environs is most depressing. In
Spanish times no public conveyances were to be seen plying for hire
in the streets, and there is still no public place of amusement. The
Municipality was first established by Royal Order dated June 7, 1889.

Evidences of the havoc of 1899 are still visible at every turn in
Yloilo in the shape of old stone walls, charred remains, battered
houses, vacant spaces, etc. On the other hand, there are many
innovations since American administration superseded the native
civil government. The _plaza_, till then a dreary open space, is
now a pleasant shady promenade; electric lighting, an ice-factory,
four hotels, one American, one English, and three Philippine clubs,
large public schools, an improved quayway, a commodious Custom-house,
a great increase of harbour traffic, a superabundance of lawyers'
and pawnbrokers' sign-boards, and public vehicles plying for hire are
among the novelties which strike one who knew Yloilo in days gone
by. The Press is poorly represented by three daily and one weekly
newspapers. Taken as a whole Yloilo still remains one of the most
charmless spots in the Archipelago.

The people of _Negros Island_ were in the free enjoyment of local
independence since November 6, 1898, the day on which the Spanish
Governor, D. Isidro Castro y Cinceros, together with all his
official colleagues, capitulated to the revolutionists under the
leadership of Aniceto Lacson, Leandro Lacson, Juan Araneta, Nicolas
Gales, Simon Lizares, Julio Diaz, and Jose Montilla. Simultaneously
with the prosecution of the Panay Island campaign General Miller
opened negotiations for the submission of Negros Island to
American sovereignty. At that time the government of the Island
was being peacefully administered to the satisfaction of the Negros
revolutionists, at least, under the constitution proclaimed by them,
and presided over by their ex-commander-in-chief, Aniceto Lacson. [224]
General Miller therefore commiss