The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1898-05-21
BEFORE THE YANKEES CANE MAKE A CUT OF $1,000
WHICH EXISTED IN
MANILA.
Everybody Tried to Get Away From
the Arbitrary Rule and Barbarity
of the Spaniards.

The population of Manila and the
suburbs is estimated at about quar-
ter of a million souls, says the China
News. OF these about 10000 are Chi
nese, 1000 Spaniards engaged in trade
and 800 other Europeans and Ameri-
cans. The available Spanish troops
of European origin are estimated at
less than 10000 possibly 10000. but
there is a large force of native aux
iliaries whose loyalty is only meas
ured by the opportunities to desert
\ week or two ago, the authorities
heard of disatfection in one regiment.
Unable to learn details the Spanish
officers picked out six corporals and
shot them on sight. threatening TO
serve more in the same fashion on
the morrow if the ring leaders were
not handed over. During the night.
the whole regiment deserted in bo-
dy, going over to the rebels with the
rifles and accoutrements. On the hills
around Manila there is force of 25,-
000 rebels ready to descend upon Ma
Mia as soon as the first shots are
heard from the American ships.
These men are badly organized. and
only about 5000 are armed with ri
fes. and as they are likely to be join
ed by the natives in the city, the out
look for the Spaniards, military and
civil is far from encouraging. 1t is
feared there will be a general massa-
ere. Unless the Spaniards submit 1T
an early stage of the fighting and ask
from the Americans the protection
the Spanish forces are unable to give,
the city will be looted. probably fir
ed, and many lives lost in the indis-
criminate slaughter.
When Admiral Dewey heard of this
menace, he sent word to the insur-
gents that there must he no disorder
pillage or massacre. or he would train
his guns on them. This seems to
have had the effect of preventing the
| trouble feared.
When the Esmeralda left the Chi
nese, who invariably suffer from both
sides, loyalists and rebels, were lie
| serting from the city like rats from
a sinking ship. For a cabin passage
by the 7smeralda as high as $3.50 was
offered in addition to the ordinary
fare of $50, and although the official
number of deck passengers is returned
at about two hundred, we are inform
ed that the actual figures are much
higher, and that $3.50 was paid for
the deck passage.
From the Japan Times little is
learned of conditions in Manila a fort
night before the attack. That paper
says that on the 18th of April the
American Consul at Manila received
an intimation from his government to
prepare to leave the Philippines, and
that, in accordance with arrangement :
made between the United States and
British governments, he was to hand
over his records and impedimenta TO
the care of the British Consul, Mr.. f.
\. Walker, who, in Mr.. Will
liams' absence, would look after the
American governments interests Mr.
| Williams at once opened up commu-
nications with the governor general.
| Primo de Rivera who professed to be
ignorant of the strained relations be-
tween Spain and the United States
Without the consent of the Spanish
authorities no transfer could be made
officially from the United States to
the British Consulate. The governor
general cabled to Madrid for instruc.
tons. Officially, Saturday was IA hoI-
iday; Sunday, of course, was holi-
day, and without the consent of the
archbishop (after being properly feed
no official progress could be made;
and General de Rivera continued tC
"mark time" until the arrival of his
successor, General Don Basifio Angus
ii. by the Isla de Mindanao, from
Spain, when the due transfer was
made of all American interests to Mr.
: Rawson-W Walker.
! Consul Williams speaks In the very
highest praise regarding the kindness
he and other American citizens have
received at the hands of Mr.. Rawson
Walker and the other Brtishers.
The Foreign Colony included som,
} twenty-five American subjects engag
ed in business in the Philippines. I'm
mediately upon the receipt of his or
ders from Washington the American
! Consul warned his countrymen to a
once wind up business and to leav,
Manila as soon as possible. One o,
d. two left. but the majority went OF
= board British sailing vessels in th,
= bay, where they would be safe from
} molestation whatever fate befell th
city of Manila.