The San Francisco call., 1897-01-04
REBELS FOUGHT WITH FIRE.
Sa1ouunry Conflict m TIE Philippines in
Which Thirteen Hundred LnsUr-
gents Are Killed

MADRID, SPAIN, Jan. 3.-Queen Regent
| Christina ana the Government have sent
messages to General Poievieja, Captain
General of the Philippine Islands. con-
graduating him upon his great victory
over the insurgents on the heights of
| Cacarron. province of Bulacan.
! In the first engagement the loss of the
rebels was SEQ killed. The troops cap
tured a large quantity of munitions OF
war and factory in which the rebels had
been making cartridges.
While the Spaniards were pursuing the
feeins rebels it was suspected that the
latter, pursuing the method of warfare
followed by the Cuban insurgents, would
attempt to lead the troops into an am
buscade in the dense thickets through
which the pursuit led. The troops were,
therefore, ordered to set fire to the bushes
in many places in order 10 drive out any
rebels who might be lurking in them.
The flames spread with great rapidity and
it was soon learned that the suspicion Of
an ambuscade was we'll founded. A large
number of the insurgents were IN hiding
in the bushes. evidently waiting for the
troops TO pass, when they would have at
tackled them at the rear. Many OF the
rebels succeeded in making their escape
for the time being, but 200 of them per-
lshed i'll the fire.
In the meantime other Spanish columns
had been hurriedly dispatched 10 out
| flank the fleeing insurgents, and IN this
they were successful. The rebels were
utterly routed, losing 500 killed. The
total insurgent loss was 1909, 200 in ex-
cess of the number giveE in yesterd ay s
dispatches. These 200 were without
doubt those who were burned to death.
The Spanish loss was one officer and
twenty-three privates killed.
The victory, which it is believed will be
proved crushing blow to the insurgents,
is hailed everywhere with delight, and
General Polieviejo's promptness in bring
ing about results favora bic to the Spanish
arms is compared with ex-Captain Gen.
eraI Blanco's dilatory tactics, much to the
disparagement of the latter.
General Polieviejo has confirmed the
sentence OF death imposed by court
martial on eleven rebel chiefs including
three priets. They will be shot tomorrow
at Manila.
A court martial sitting at Manila has
commenced the trial oil eighteen alleged
rebels. The evidence thus far adduced
shows that the accused were in CORE
spondence with patrons in Japan who
were interested in fomenting and aiding
the insurrection. The prosecutor asks
that sentenc' of death be passed on all
the eighteen prisoners.
The trial OF eighty other men accused of
completely in the revolt is impending and
sentence of death will be asked in the case
of each of them.
The dispatches from Manila state that a
great sensation has been caused there by
| the revelations that have been made by
conspirators now under arrest. One of
the prisoners has stated that he knew that
Japan intended to send a squadron of
warships to the Philippine Islands and
that she would recognize the belligerency
of the rebels in all the provinces revolted.
This confirms the belief that has been en-
| tertained ever since the outbreak of the
insurrection that Japan is very anxious TO
secure possession OF the islands and is re.
spousible for much, if not all of the
trouble.