The times., 1898-10-01
A CRISIS NEAR AT HAND.
me Attitude of the Insurgents Is
Yelled In Doubt

The Attitude of the Insurgents Is
Yelled In Doubt
San Francisco, Sept 30.-Mueh interest
ing correspondence from Manila is print
ed in the Hong Kong papers. which
reached here today on the steamer Gaelic.
All correspondents agree that affairs are
in a critical condition. and that no one
can tell what the insurgents may do.
One Of the best informed writer's de-
clares that when AguinaIdo is convinced
that the islands will not be handed back
to Spain he will agree to any form of
government the Americans may propose.
This writer. under date of August "A,
says:
i have personally discussed the hopes
and plans of the insurgents with several
OF their leaders, whom met originally in
Hong Kong. when Consul General Wild
man was arranging for their return 10 the
Fhiilpplnes- L saw one of them who has
great influence with his followers only
yesterday.
When i reminded him of his promises
to Mr. Wildman, he spoke in high terms
OF the consul general, and said the latter
would never have occasion TO say that
the insurgents had broken their word. He
said all he and his men wanted was con-
troll OF Manila and that the Philippines
should not be returned in whole or in part
TO the Spaniards. and that as soon as he
was sure of that he would advocate
complete compliance with American au-
thority
This reminds me to express surprise
that certain persons are censurins Con-
sui General Wildman and Admiral Dewey
for ever letting AguinaIdo come here and
arms be sent to him. Ii is all very well
TO express such criticisms when the war
is over, but it was very different indeed
when Aguinaldo came TO Cavite in MAY.
Then 1t seemed 10 be the wisest step pos
sible, and the rebel leaders success
caused the press all over the world TO
sound his praises and the diplomacy OF
Dewey and Wildman in the matter
Another correspondent gives a graphic
description of business activity caused
by the presence of 10, 600 Americans, most
OF whom are eager TO spend money for
good things 10 eat and drink He says:
Manila is most interesting city at
present, owing to peculiar conditions Of
life First, there is the American army
OF occupation Of 1000 men Of whom the
officers and considerable portion OF The
priyates have the liberty of the streets.
cafes and hotels; second, there is a cap
tured army of $500 10 10,0oG, OF whom
the officers have full liberty carrying
even their side arms: third. there are
certain number of insurgents, who also
frequent the thoroughfares: fourth.
there is a large body of Spanish civil
officers who have lost their jobs and have
nothing to do but kill time; fifth. there
are those Americans who, born hustlers
that they are, are looking for good op-
portunities TO invest money or turn an
honest dollar 10 advantage
THE Spaniards tell me the streets
were never more crowded except on feast
days while all agree that money was
never before thrown away and around
in such quantities, The Spanish are
amazed az the amount Of money in cir
cuiation. Gold is plentiful because the
troops were paid in gold and at once
changed il for small Spanish coin.
ION the corners and in stores, little
groups of Spaniards and natives can be
seen looking AT and counting the gold
that has come into their hands. Even
cabmen can be seen with their pockets
filled with five-dollar gold pieces So, al
together, the coming Of the Americans is
a blessing to the city in certain ways
There has also been such great run on
carriages and cabs that fer the hrst
five days it was practically impossible 10
obtain a cab or other conveyance 10 go
anywhere al any price unless il was hired
at daybreak and retained all day
In some respects Manila at present re-
minds me of prosperous Western min
ing town in America The crowds OF men
in the streets, throngs in the cafes and
beer gardens and the rough and ready
spirits and the occasional hilarity OF
American soldiers, all suggest compare
lively fevered state of the city under tenn
porary high pressure. In spite of so
much life and money there is little indi-
cation of crime. Nobody seems TO be TAX
ing extra precautions, and women go
about as freely as in peace times While
the American soldiers have some among
their number who occasionally absorb too
much beer or other drinks and conduct
themselves unbecomingIy, the majority
certainly acquit themselves like gentle
men, and are particularly inoffensive in
view of the fact that they are vlctors-
Notwithstanding all stories published
of hunger and famine in Manila, the
Americans are commenting on the we'll
fed appearance of the Spanish soldiers.
Not only the officers, but the men, look
as if they had not suffered from a small
quantity or poor quality of food.
whenever British sailors have come
on shore they have been honized by the
American soldiers. Whether they came
singly or, in groups they have been in
variably surrounded and supplied with
all the beer they could drink German
seamen have also visited the city in con-
siderable numbers, but they have been
very discreet and whenever they have
| met American soldiers are careful 10 say
or do nothing that might excite the lat