The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-06-18
SPANlARDS STARVING

SPANlARUS STARVING
Manila, June ), via Hong Kong, June II.
1t is now officially admitted here that
the lack Of food scupplies has become a
serious matter. Gunboats conveying vol
unteers, sent into the lagoon to seach for
food for the city on Friday, June 3, re-
turned here today Sunday and reported
the total failure of their mission.
Later-It has now been officially admit
ted tina 1.-THE troops have been sc hours
without food. The insurgents are gaining
everywhere and are now firing into Ma
Mia itself.
In the onrthern sections the insurgents
have united near Pasig, on the Pasig river
driving the Spanish gunboats to Doa.
There were a few casualties.
The zone Of hostiities is a magnificent
defensive country, thickiy " soded, having
an unlimited number of natural ambus-
cades, and innumerable blockhouses and
trenches. An average army could easily
defy ten times their number.
On all sides can be sen the Spaniards
rtiring, removing the soldiers effects and
dismantling the barracks prematurely,
evidently anticipating defeat as a matter
of course. The soldiers are brave and de-
sperate and hate to retreat, but they
are hOpelessly incompetent and shame
fully underfed. Many of them have as
sured the correspondent that they have
never been at target practice in their
lives. Still they are eager for an Oppor-
tunity to display their valor and are con-
fdent that the enemy is equally unprac-
ticed.
Whole companies of Spaniards have
had nothing to eat for two days and some
of them are literally crying. 1t is a pit
liable sight. The native peasantry char
itably assist the starving soldiers with
out compulson and some Englishmen yes
terday gave treat to the soldiers guard
ing an outpost They bought a wander
ing hawker's stock of eatables for few
shillings and gave the foow to the SOL
diers. who said it was the first food they
had tasted for &c hours.
There is no doubt, as one person re-
marked that somebody deserves lynch
ing for the state OF affairs existing. Scores
of bloated officers of the Spanish forces
are to be seen daily loafing about the beer
shops and cafes along the boulevards, re-
Wiling the English. while the men under
their charge ar starving.
The insurgents yesterday rushed the
passage of the Zapots river and also
descended from the lagoon. took the Span
iards in flank and captured several guns.
The Spaniard soldiers made good stand
until they were ordered to retreat Prob
ably their ammunition was inadequate.
Il is almost impossible TO understand
how such magnificent positions can be alb
ardoned without struggle
The Insurgents today captured Las Pin
as. Paraque. Tungal Mali Bay and Pine
da. All on the coast line. The Spaniards
lost 20 men killed and wounded and 1000
returned here unhurt
The insurgents are now firing into Ma
late. the southern most quarter Of Manila
and annie and half from the center /
place containing the fort. magazine. tele-
graph office and clug house.
The horse ears are running and ladies 7
are visiting within rifle shot of the en- /
envy. apparently unconcerned.
The insurgents are also in every outlv- I
ing quarter of Manila. awaiting the signal /
10 advance.
Al Caloocan. suburban railway sta /.
ton. there are still a few Spanish troops .
IN ridiculous little entertainments.
The village IS full Of insurgents and the /
railrond line is broken outside the sta /
ton.
The ties have been carefully removed
by the insurgents. who promised 10 re- .
place them after the war
Many Of the native troops make little
secret OF their intention TO desert tonight. /
There was frantic scramble for refuge
inside the old walled citadel by the GOV
ernor's orders, of an the townspeople.
The captain general held a council Of
war a. which it was proposed 10 surren-
der because resistance IS clearly useless
and deplorable expenditure Of blood and
herois efforts would he rendered futile h-
lack of training. insufficient supplies and
the smallness Of the force.
The council was furious at this ''humiia-
ton by mere natives" and the captain
general resigned and was superseded nv
his second in command. who counter
manded the withdrawal Of the troops from