Evening star., 1898-09-20
THE SITUATION AT MANILA
Attitude Of Our OF losr, Toward the 1nsur-
gents criticised.
Claimed That rEey po Not Under
stand Asiatic Xhalecter-Alleged
Effort to PossonsAsuinaldo.


Effort to rossonAxu,na,do.
LONDON. septemker 2d-The Hong Kong
correspondent of theDaiiy Mail says:
THE Filipino congress has favorably i'm
pressed the Europeans who have witnessed
it's proceedings. 1t is believed that it's de-
liberations will result in petition to Pres
ident Mckinley to establish a protectorate.
THE attitude of the American army Off
GERS toward the insurgents is causing much
unfavorable criticism among Europeans
who have returned from Manila. They
blame their almost criminal ignorance of
the native character and their elementary
ideas of colonzing. The officers seemed
determined upon winning glory at the ex-
pense of the insurgents by ha tching imagin-
ary 1evoits. Aguinaido has obeyed every
order, whether accompanied by threats or
not. One insurgent chief al Pasay declined
TO move. ana AguinGido asked Gen. Otis
not to proceed against him for four days
so as to give him an opportunity to inter-
view him.
British Officers Views.
"A British naval officer who has just re-
turned from Manila says:
What is needed is force acquainted
with the Asiatic character. America does
not seem to utilize the material she has at
hand. Every is surprised that 0. F.
Williams, United States consul at Manila,
was not sent TO Paris instead of staff Off
GERS who know little of the Philippines. l
am satisfied that If Consul General Wild
man, who has lived among the Malays and
is familiar with British colonial methods.
were given power he could arrange every
thing satisfactorily with Aguinaldo. 1t is
suicidal folly on the part of America that
he has not been ordered Manila long
ago."
The Manila correspondent Of the Times
says:
1.-The insurgents, urged by constant ru-
mors of the intention of America to re-es-
tablish Spanish rule in the archipelago, con-
tinue actively recruiting their army. Hun
dreds from Manila are easting daily. and
troops are being drilled everywhere. Great
diligence is exhibited in initiating the Amer
lean formation and manual particularly in
volley firing. 1ntrenchments in certain po-
sitions are being strengthened and Wig
liant line of pickets is kept outside the sub
urbs. At the same time the attitude of the
insurgents is much more friendly than it
was before the evacuation.
More Arms Landed.
Several thousand rifles have recently
been landed and four new Maxims have
also been received. The provincial leaders
are paying into the insurgent treasury a
certain portion of the fund captured from
converts, processing to reserve tie remain
der for the payment of their troops. BY
this means they keep practically 'ndepend-
ent of the central authority, preserving the
integrity of their own command a general
occupying one rich province sent O Aguin-
aldo $35,0 900 in cash last week.
The agitation among the insurgents is
stimulated by the clerical party which
uses every effort to- influence the natives
against American occupation. Evid. nee to
this effect is absolutely trustworthy, al
though Archbishop Dozai and other promi-
nent ecclesiastcs strenuously deny all
knowledge of such action and solemny
disclaim personal participation in it.
Strikes in all industries are becoming
more extensive daily, and the labor ques-
ton Is fast growing serious. The Ameri-
cans unwisely continue to pay nearly three
times the usual wages, causing discomfort
to spread rapidly in every class of work
men. All manufacturers are much ham,
pered: the tramways are frequently stop
ped, and railway operations are seriously
crippled and d:scontinuance of the service
is threatened The strikers naturally drift
into the insurgent ranks and, consequently,
labor disturbances are not discouraged by
the leaders.
Evidence of American Intent.
''The news from Washington that the
battle ships Oregon and Iowa have been
ordered here, and that 10000 tons of coal
would be shipped Immediately is inter-
preted by the Americans as proof of the in
tenton of the government to hold the ISL
and of Luzon.,
Nothing important is reported from the
insurgent congress, which holds sessions
daily at MalOlos. The chief element of CO.
hesion is cOnfeSsedly the fear of the return
OF the Spanish domination. If the insur-
gents should receive reasonable assurances
of permanent foreign occupation | believe
the disinteSration of the revolutionary gov
ernment would be speedy and complete
The Spanish prisoners are now rgor-
ously confined within the limits of the wall
ed town. There is much overcrowding in
The small area, and it is impossible in the
crowded quarters, in the absence of the
proper appliances, to improve the present
unsatisfactory sanitary conditions. The
urgent necessity for removing the prison
ers is fully recognized by the authorities,
but no remedy is in sight, and the health
OF the American troops and the prisoners
is seriously threatened. Nearly 10 per ce1.t
OF the former are already on the sic. list"
Attempt to Poison AguinaIdO
The Republica Filipina asserts that an at
tempt was made to poison Agur.aldo on
Friday night. A steward, 1t is alleged, saw
a Spanish prisoner who had been allowed
his freedom make movement which ap-
peared like tampering with a bowl Of soup
intended for Aguinaldo, whereupon the
steward tasted a spoonful of the soup ana
fell dead. Eleven Franciscan frars are al
ieged to have been engaged in the con-
spiracy. The populace. 1t is further said,
attempted to lynch all the Spanish prison.
ers, but Aguinaldo intervened
AT saturdays session of the national as
Sembly, 1T appears, ~ uinaldo absent
but his representative lIlated the story of
the outrage to the members, who unani-
mously adopted the chairmans proposal
that they all go to ASninaldos house, eX-
press sympathy with him and congratulate
ne