The islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1891-1899, 1896-10-29
IS SERIOUS FOR SPAIN
Philippine War Likely to
Rival the Cuban Revolt.
REBELS DOING GREAT DAMAGE
Revolving Atrocities on Both Sides -
The Black Hole of Manila
Other Foreign News.


Vancouver, B. c., Oct. 23.-The
Empress Of Japan arrived from the
Orient today. after a speedy and un-
eventful trip. She had twenty nine
saloon and 800 steerage passengers,
and 2,7O0 tons of cargo.
Advices receievd by the Empress of
Japan regarding the rebellion against
the Spaniards, in the Philippines, con-
firm the previous reports that the
Spaniards will likely have another
war, as serious as that in Cuba, on
their hands.
Governor eneral Blanco realizes
that with the present force he is un.
able to quell the revolt, and conse
quently is awaiting the arrival of rein
forcements before striking decisive
blow. Meanwhile, the rebels are do.
ing great deal of damage to property,
and numbering and robbing the in.
habitants. The rebellion has spread
to the provinces of Manila, Bulacan,
Pampanga. Nueva Eeija, Tarlao, LIE
Laguina, Cavite and Batangas.
An illustration of the atrocities per-
petrated by the rebels. is furnished by
an attack on large monastery, in
Cavite province, which they have since
used as their headquarters. This
was one of the first places attacked.
Maddened by the refusal of the priests
to yield, the rebles, on getting inside
resorted to the most fendish tortures in
order to wreak their vengeance on the
priests. Several Of them were hanged
to tress and roasted to death by burn
ing kerosene OIL Others were put to
death in an even more cruel manner,
portions of their bodies being cut off
piecemeal.
In the monastery, the rebels were
we'll supplied with rifles, ammunition
and food and so far have succeeded in
driving off the Spanish troops. The
report that the slip and arsenal at
Cavite were in the hands of the rebels
has since been denied. In Manila,
things are practically at standstill.
The prisons are crowded with prison
ers, and over 800 have been deported
to Carolines. By torture, Spaniards
have wrung many secrets from the
prisoners. A triangular mark, cut in
the arm, is the badge of membership Of
the revolutionary society.
The prison at Manila, which has
earned for itself the opprobius title of
the "black hole of Manila" is an old
fortress Prisoners are thrown into a
dungeon, the entrance into which is
gained by a hole in the roof. The
only ventilation is through barred
opening underneath the platform floor.
and at high tide this means of ventila
ton is totally closed, and large mum.
bers of prisoners, who did not die from
suffocation. were found to have torn
each other in dreadful manner in fits
of insanity.
Numerous accusations of cowardice
have been made against the Spanish.
In a brush with the rebels. they placed
native troops in the van, and when
these were dispersed, the Spaniards
fed. To show the stress to which the
authorities are placed for men, dis.
ed for some days, because there were
no soldiers available to perform the
duties of customs officers.
Further advices from Formosa state
that the Japanese are pacifying that
island by exterminating the natives.
Men, women and children are bayonet.
ed by japanese troops, while the whole
country is overrun with banditti. In
many districts, there has been severe
drought, and in addition to other hor-
rors, famine stares the people in the
face. A traveller, who has just re-
turned from a tour through the cam
phor'' district, denies that the rebellion
has been subdued, though most of the
villages were deserted and everywhere
was evidence of destruction, caused by
fire and the sword. Like the Chinese
generals, they are adopts in manufac'
turing victories.