The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1898-08-12
Philippine Amaxons.

| Philippine Amaxons.
The women of the Philippine ISL
ands, like those Of Cuba, are taking
an active part in the revolution against
the Spaniards. Indeed, it is largely
on account Of the women that the re-
bellion exists, the indignities offered
them by the Spanish being the last
drop which filled the cup of indigna-
ton to overflow. 1t is the old story
of cruelty and oppression which has
been repeated in each and every one
of the Spanish colonies since the days
of Christopher Columbus.
When the Spanish discovered the
islands they found them in the pos
session of Malays, who had conquer
ed the Negritos, driving them back
into the wilderness, where they still
live. Many Chinese dwelt among
them, and there was a steady trade
between China and the Philippines in
sugar, tobacco and hemp. The Span
ish took possession, as was their way,
and for 800 years have oppressed and
maltreated the unlucky mestizos, as
they called them. But the centuries
have brought with them a large ad-
mixture of European blood, princi-
pally Spanish into the Malay strain,
increasing their pride and revenge
fulness. Moreover, these mestizos
have been industrious. They have
worked hard and prospered, in spite
of heavy taxation.
They have sent their sons and
daughters to Europe and educated
them, and still they have gone on for
years patiently enduring Spain's yoke.
The oppression in Cuba has been as
nothing to that in the Philippines.
Everything is taxed to the utmost,
and the slightest excuse has sufficed
for confiscating the entire property of
any man not under the protection of
foreign government. The native
subject of Spain has absolutely no
rights ender the law, and no matter
what outrages he may suffer, no mes
tho can sue Spaniard or obtain lie.
gal redress. In Manila the poorer
natives are employed as servants,
and to punish them for slight offenses
they are often tortured, sometimes to
death. Worst of all, if a worthless
Spaniard looks with covetous eyes on
the daughter of mestizos, the
woman is at his mercy, and the father
is powerless to protect her and pre-
vent distasteful marriage. 1t was
this last outrage which provoked the
revolt, and the women are said to
have melted the men to this step.
Many of them are In the rebel ranks
fighting side by side with their hus-
bands and fathers, and it is said that
in recent attack on Innis, the
stronghold of the rebels, where two
l
Spanish colonies were among the kill
ed, one of them fell by the hand of a
woman, not by rifle Shot, but in a
hand to hand conflict, in which the
Amazon used the native weapon, the
polo.
These women have been described
as utterly without fear-possessed,
indeed, of the frenzy of daring told
of by travellers, as shown in the Ma
lay custom of "runnipg amok."
Reports all agree that the Amazon
leaders in the Philippine army are
rarely killed, their very lecklessness
serving to protect them by striking
terror into the hearts of the Spaniards
who regard them as possessed by
some uncanny sprite. On the other
hand, their daring inspires the insur-
gents with confidence, and they fight
like demons.
Nine. Rial, who is prominent
among the rebel leaders, is believed
by the insurgents to bear charmed
life. She herself, according to all ac-
counts, appear TO be utterly devoid OF
fear, not only risking her life in bat
tie, but when arrested and in peril OF
speedy execution, defying the Span.
ish authorities to do their worst.
This last piece of daring is probably
due to the fact that she claims to be
a British subject, and as such dares
the Spaniards to touch her. Few
women have had so eventful and 70
mantle career as this young widow
who is still under thirty years of age
! Nine. Rial was the daughter Of
| Irish parents. Her father was james
Brackin, sergeant in the British
army. She was born in the Victoris
barracks at Hong Kong, and chris
Observation-Disclosures