Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1898-08-06
OUR OFFICIALS ANXIOUS
Over the Attitude of the Insurgents
in the Philippines.
THEY MAY RESIST OUR TROOPS.


General Merritt Ordered 60 Protect
Non-Combatants From the Wrath
OF AguinaIdo's FoIlowers-Cheering
Reports From Porto Rico.
Washington, Aug. 3.-Ohicials make
no concealment of their apprehension OF
trouble to follow the execution of our
program I'm regard to the Philippines.
The reports of the military and naval
commanders of late have contained
warnings of expected conflicts with the
insurgents, and no surprise Will be
felt at the receipt of news OF an out
break at almost any moment. The
United States government feels that
1t has assumed a moral obligation to-
wards not only the foreign residents at
Manila, but towards the unprotected
classes of the Spanish community
women, children. nuns and priests.
Therefore when intimation came that
the Insurgents were threatening the
lives OF some helpless monks orders
were sent to the American military
commander to look into the matter and
TO act i'm the interest Of civilization and
humanity. As. according to the report.
the insurgents have shown particular
hostility towards the monks, it is a
reasonable expectation that before long
a collision viii have occurred between
themselves and the American troops If
the latter undertake to interfere in the
execution of the vengeance OF the in
surgents.
Some reports which have been re-
ceived from Porto Rico, but which for
polite reasons cannot be made public.
have given great satisfaction to the
officials of the war department. since
they go TO show that the resistance
which can be made by the Spanish
troops will be very little. and It is even
possible that General Miles will achieve
an almost bloodless victory. In fact,
IL has been suggested with some plausi-
bility that the Madrid government
realizing the impendency OF peace and
the lack of loyalty toward the mon
archy OF the mass of Porto Rfcans,
have allowed the Spanish garrison OF
the island to understand that they are
not expected to sacrifice their lives
in useless resistance to superior force,
so that all that is to be expected is to
be rather formal opposition to the
progress OF General Miles triumphal
march across the island.
General Skaters health reports state
that he is now caring for over 4.ooo
sick people. including Spanish soldiers.
many OF whom were found to be very
I'll. The task Is a formidable one. and
the attempt to care for all hands prob
ably explains In a measure the lack OF
adequate preparation OF the transports
employed in bringing home some OF the
wounded and sick. The conditions on
these boats were found 70 be so shock
ing as TO demand an immediate inves-
tlgation, and SEINE court martials may
be looked for in high places unless II
can be shown clearly that the lack of
preparations was unavoidable.
Major General Young called at the
war department yesterday fresh from
the front, where his health broke down
under the severe exertiens imposed by
the campaign He spent some time
with Secretary Alger, as did Major
General Wade. who has not been able
to perfect the arrangements for his
expedition to Porto Rico. For the
transportation thereof the war depart
ment is making an effort to secure the
two American liners Harvard and Yale
late the New York and Paris now IN
the charter OF the navy department
anditis believed that the effort has been
successful. AS to the ether liners, St
Paul and st. Louis. the navy depart
ment has not yet reached a decision
though In view or the presidents desire
to curtail war expenditures wherever
possible It is expected that they, too
Will be surrendered by the navy de-
partment in the course OF few days
In this case four OF the naval captains
would be left without commands, name
ly. Sigsbee OF the St. Paul, Wise Of the
Yale. Goodrich OF the st. Louis and
Cotton OF the Harvard. for even II the
vessels were used as army transports
the law would not permit naval officers
to command them.