The Mena star., 1898-10-05
TROPHIES OF WAR.
Our Troops Captured $4,000 Mausef
Rifles from Spaniards at Manila.
Spanish Soldiers Were Well Equippsd and
Well Fed--Gen. Merritt's High Tribute
to the vaior of Oar Troops-Other
News from, tho Philippines

rived at St Paul from Manila, which
place he left in company with Gen.
Babcock August 80 Col. Sturgis has
been the assistant adjutant general OF
the army corps at Manila and OF the
department Of Manila under Gen. Mer-
rift OF the volunteer troops he says
that they endured constant hardships
without a murmur or complaint OF any
kind. Their patience and endurance
were remarkable and proved that they
were a high class of men. Speaking
of the land battle at Manila he said:
Our first count OF the Spanish made out TO-
900 men Of them. all well armed and equipped.
and oil in good physical condition We were
surprised at the completeness OF their equip
ment. which. ns noticed. was almost perfect
The % 900 Mausers surrendered were new and
in good condition. From the condition OF the
Spaniards it was apparent that they were by
no means starving, although food was scarce
in the city. Their ammunition was abundant
and their service pieces were In good order.
Many OF the Spaniards had money and their
entire force was remarkably effective
The insurgents are rather decent fellows.
considering that all they know OF the world
they have learned from the Spaniards They
believe that all the other people are like the
Spaniards. who have abused them. taxed and
retaxed them, kept them down and oppressed
them and have not allowed them to do any
thing for themselves. They could not for q
moment comprehend our motives our quiet
and orderly work OF restoration 1t was not
the Spanish method They are bright anxious
TO learn and intelligent We had little sick
ness. and think our immunity was due main
ly to the fact that the men did not sleep on
the ground. hut or the beds OF bamboo, raised
above the ground
What Gen. Merritt Says.
Washington, Oct. 3.-Gen. Merritt,
Manila, praises highly the conduct of
the American troops. He says:
desire to record my appreciation OF the adj
mirable manner in which the order for attack
and the plan for occupation of the city were
carried out by the troops exactly as contem-
plated submit that for troops to enter under
fire q town covering wide area, to rapidly de-
ploy and guard all principal points in the ex-
tensive suburbs, to keep out the insurgent
forces pressing for admission, to quietly
dsarm an army OF Spaniards more
than equal In number to the American
troops, and finally. by all this to prevent en-
tirey all rapine pillage and disorder and gain
entire possession OF city Of 100000 people
filled with natives hostile to European inter-
ests and stirred up by the knowledge that their
own people were Fighting in the outside
trenches. was an act which only the law-abid-
ing temperate. resolute American soldier,
well and skillfully handled by his regimental
and brigade commanders, could accomplish.
Manila Not Unhealthy.
Washington, Oct 2. --Admiral Dewey
appears to have been lucky in preserv-
ing the health of his sailors and in
that matter he even exceeded the
record of the North Atlantic squadron.
Secretary Long has made public a
short extract from the admiraps last
report, treating of this subject, in
which, while dealing with the general
climatic conditions of the Philippines,
for the information of the government,
he says of the sailors and troops:
AS Luzon is the farthest north OF the large
islands, its climate is naturally the most tenn
perate. In this connection it may be men
toned that, out Of q force OF over 1000 on the
ships of my squadron. the number of men on
the sick list Ut any time has not exceeded 40
nor has there been any considerable sickness
among our troops on shore, though they were
much exposed for three weeks in the trenches
during the rainy season. As a matter of fact.
Manila is far from being an unhealthy city and
the climate Is as fine as that of any place In
tho tropics
Celebrating the Independents GOveFnmsnt-
New York, Oct ga dispatch to the
Herald from Manila, via Paris, says:
The celebration of so-called Philippine
independence, as engineered by Aguin-
aldo at Malolos Thursday, was native
function, with an absurd European
element in 1t, born of the dictator's de-
sire TO initiate the dress and manner
of civilization. Aguinaldo and his adj
visers appeared in full evening dress
There was a parade of the barefoot
army of insurgents. whose chieftain
delivered an address trimming over
with patriotic platitudes. Afterward
there was a banquet, and the few
American guests present sat down
with the Filipino statesman. The
menu was drawn up in the most APP
proved French style. A toast to the
United States was given with three
cheers and the declaration of Filipino
independence was read.
Few Soldiers Died at Manila.
Washington, Oct. 4.-The following
dispatch has been received at the war
department:
Manila, Oct 3-Adiutant General, Washing
ton: Deaths among troops in Philippines
enlisted men August, two officers, so en-
listed men, OF whom one officer and 10 enlisted
men were killed IN action. seven died OF
wounds Deaths for September, rs enlisted
men. Total deaths, IA killed il action, seven
of wounds. IA OF typhoid fever. Cause OF re-
naming deaths. accident and miscellan eous
diseases.-Otis
The Eiiipinos See the President.
Washington, Oct. 3.-Agoncillo and
Lopez, the representatives of Aguin-
aldo, the Philippine insurgent leader,
called at the white house to-day in