Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-08-04
A CLASH EXPECTED.
Aguinaldo and the American Troops
Certain to Have a Collision.
The CATHOLIC CLERGY IN DANGER.
The Philippine Insurgents Have Planned
to Massacre Thsm-Gen. Merritt May
Be Reinforced BY Some Troops
from the Eastern BtateA

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here make no concealment Of their
apprehension OF serious trouble TO fol.
low the execution OF our programme
in regard to the Philippines The re-
ports OF the military and naval com
manders of late have contained warn
ings OF expected conflicts with the
insurgents and no surprise will be felt
at the receipt Of news Of an outbreak
at almost any moment. The United
States government feels that 1t has as.
sumed moral obligation toward not
only the foreign residents at Manila,
but toward the unprotected classes Of
the Spanish community, women, chill
dren, nuns and priests Therefore,
when intimation came that the insur.
gents were threatening the lives Of
some helpless monks orders were sent
to the American military commander
10 look into the matter and to act
in the interests OF civilization and
humanity. As. according to report,
the insurgents have shown particular
hostility toward the monks, 1t is a
reasonable expectation that before
long q collision will have occurred be.
tween themselves and the American
troops II the latter undertake to in
erfere In the execution OF the venge.
ance Of the insurgents. The war
and navy departments have received,
through Cardinal Rampolla, papal
secretary Of state, cablegraln
from the pope expressing the
keenest anxiety for the safety
Of the bishop and clergy at
Cavite. Information received at the
vatican is to the effect that Aguinaldo
and his forces have planned the mas.
sacre Of the Catholics. Immediately
upon the receipt Of the information
cablegrsms were sent to Gen. Merritt
and Admiral Dewey directing them to
take every means possible to prevent
the insurgents from harming Cstho.
lies. The receipt Of the news has
caused much unessiness here. II an
attempt Of this kind Is made by Aguin.
aldo it will surely lead to conflict be.
tween the forces under him and those
Of the United StateA
Although the war department Off.
Gals will not admit that they have
any intention Of reinforcing further
Gen. Merritts forces at Cavite, there
Is reason to believe that some Of the
troops now in eastern camps who de.
sire to see active service will soon find
the opportunity unless the govern.
ment shall change its present plans
with respect to the Philippines 1t is
believed to be necessary, even II our
claim is limited TO the terms stated in
the conditions submitted to Spain,
namely, to the military occupation
and government of the territory on
the shores Of the bay Of Manila, to
furnish Gen. Merritt larger force
than he now has at his command.
1t is realized that 10000 soldiers
scarcely can be expected to maintain
United States possessions and protect
the inhabitants over territory Of this
extent, for it must be remembered
that the bay of Manila is 20 miles deep
from the entrance at CUrregidor island
to the city of Manila at its head. 1t
will also be necessary to possess and
protect a zone extending some distance
back of the city to make sure Of the
preservation OF the waterworks.
OF course considerable force would
not be necessary If the insurgents un-
der Aguinaldo could be brought to
realize that their interests lie in per-
hitting undisputed possession Of this
territory by the United States. But
1t would be expecting too much Of the
native character to keep before the eyes
Of the insurgents the rich loot to be had
In Manila withoutan adequate force to
protect the place. Then, with the
growing heat and dampness, it is to DO
expected that illness will develop
among the troops, not to the extent
that it appeared at Santiago, but sufii-
cient to require some Of the men to be
invalided home and their places to be
taken by fresh troops from the United
States. At present the large majority
Of Gen. Merritt's force is composed Of
troops drawn from the Pacific coast or
far western states 1t Is presumed
that If he should be reinforced the
eastern troops will be given an oppor-
tunity to make the long voyage to
Manila, as this will be in accord with
the policy that the war department
has now adopted Of taking geographi.
cal considerations into account In al.
lotting the troops for active service at
the 'front.' sI
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