The daily morning journal and courier., 1898-07-19
SITUATION 1T MANILA.
ASutna1do's Secretary Has a Conference
 With General August.

With General Augusti.
 Manila, July 13, via Hong Kong, July 1S.-An important interview has just been held between General Aguinaldo's secretary, Legarda, and a prominent loyal native white man and the Span ish commander, Captain General Au- gustin. The insurgents urged General Augustin to surrender the city, assert ing that 50O0O insurgents surrounded Manila and were able to enter it at any moment. Thus far, they added, the in- surgents had been restrained with diffi- culty, but if the Spaniards continued stubborn the result would be that the insurgents would be compelled to bom- bard and storm the city, with the in evitable slaughter unparalleled in his- tory, because in the excitement of bat tie they cannot discriminate"
 Continuing, the captain generals wis., itors advised him to disregard the off, cial Actions regarding alleged Spanish victories in Cuba and endorsements coming to the Philippine islands, and proposed a reconciliation between the Spaniards and the Philippines under a republican flag, and a joint endeavor to persuade the Americans to abandon hostilities in the Philippine islands. Finally, the representatives of the in surgents proposed an appeal to the powers to recognize the independence of the Philippine islands
 The captain general replied that he must fight, however hopeless the Span- ish cause. Legardo then returned to Cavite, taking with him the native, who is a paroled prisoner. The natives in side the city said that they received a concerted signal to prepare for storm ing the walls fortnight ago. A second signal, fixing the date of the assault, has not yet been issued, and they are tired of waiting and are losing faith in Aguinaldo. The latter, 1t is alleged, finds it extremely difficult to capture the town Qualifications. His previous successes, it is pointed out, were easy because of the nature of the country, which suited his skirmishes. It is fur ther alleged that the principal points captured by the insurgents were ob- tained possession of through treachery. The insurgents are now bringing artil- lery around by sea from Malabone, which is tedious and troublesome work. They are also obtaining detailed reports of the condition of affairs from the in- side of the city.
 Admiral Dewey is establishing a more strict blockade, lest it be invalidated by permitting neutrals to visit Cavite and Malabone and send and receive mails enclosing surreptitiously Spanish dispatches. He has threatened to start on warships opposite the city, which might precipitate hOstilities, as the Spanish officers declare they will cer- tainly fire on any American within range, regardless of the consequences. The second installment of American troops is expected here daily, and the last attachments are booked to arrive here early in August. Military opera tions will be deferred until the Septem- Der dry season, when it is cooler. The Spaniards are daily employing convicts to fell trees and burn huts on the out skirts of the town and fusilades con- tinue. but otherwise the position is un- changed. The stock of flour is practi- cally exhausted, but the supplies of rice and buffalo meat will last for months longer.