The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-06-10

Tuesday says: The local Philippine
insurgents committee received today a
dispatch from Aguinaldo saying:
We have taken all in the province Of
Cavite and several towns in the pro-
vince OF Batangas. We have captured
ten guns. Goo rifles and Loo Spaniards
from Spain, with 500 Philippine Span
iards, killing 300. We are besieging
Biejo. In the church 500 Spaniards are
entrenched. who must surrender soon.
We hear that the governor general
proposed 10 capitulate."
Captain General Augusti has tele-
graphed through Hong Kong import
ant dispatches which the government
has not yet published. II is under
stood. however. that he reports he has
concentrated the Europeans within the
lines OF Manila. which has been much
strengthened against land attacks. In
consequence of the spread Of agitation
fomented by Aguinaldo. the natives,
however. are so divided that the Span
ish officials continue TO hold many pro-
vinces in the island OF Luzon and else
where
The efforts of the disaffected are
limited to the neHhborhood of Cavite
and Manila, where they are backed By
the Americans. Such is understood to
be the substance Of the captain gen.
erals dispatches. The government
does not purpose to send relief or a
squadron to the Philippines just yet.
Captain Aunon, minister OF marine,
will probably go to Cadiz shortly 10
inspect the reserve fleet under Admiral
Camara and the preparations at the
arsenal and on other vessels.
THE PHILIPPINE SITUATION
DISCUSSED.
of the serious news from the Philip
pines, the leaders of the minority par
ties in the chamber of deputies asked
Senor Sagasta today to consider the
situation. The premier StroVe to con-
vince them of the gravity of existing
circumstances, urging that they ought
Immediately to adopt the budget and
to declare that the chamber should sit
in permanence.
The opposition leaders promised dur
ing the sitting of the chamber to make
declarations regarding the Philippines
Of a nature that would adjourn all de-
bates.
When the chamber opened Senior Sa-
gasta spoke. He said: The Spanish
people ought to receive bad news with
manly calmness. Since the unforeseen
disaster at Cavite the government has
only received three dispatches. The
first came directly after the destruc-
ton of the squadron. 1t was from Ad-
miral Montejo and stated that suff-
cient means of defense existed and
that the native population was loyal.
The second announced that Aguilando
had arrived and was trying, but with
out success, to excite the population
against the authorities. The third has
| already been published today"
Senior Silvela, leader of the disident
| conservatives who followed Senior Sa-
gasta, promised his support to the
government for the defence of. the
country, but he warned the govern
ment that he did not intend to be re-
duced to the role of mere witness
Of the country's misfortunes."
Senor Romero Ybildo offered his
support to the government provided
the government devotes it's strength to
defence of the country and not to a
defence of other interests He ac-
cused the government of inaction, say
ing: "Thirty-nine days have passed,
with no resolution taken regarding the
defence of the Philippines. The re-
suit is that the natives, induced by the
easy victory of the Americans, regard
the Spanish forces with contempt. If
the government now seeks a shameful
peace or foreign aid I shall protest
With my whole strength"
SenOr BarriO declared that the gov
ernment did not deserve confidence,
but that, nevertheless, it might count
on the support of the carlists in every
thing relating to a defence Of territor-
ial integrity.
Professor Salmeron made a similar
statement on behalf of the repubi-
cans
Senior Mella, carlist, asserted that
the government had abandoned its
pledges, and he blamed it for a "sys-
tenn of silence" declaring the nation
which would suffer. Sedan in silence
could not deserve to figure in history"
Senor Sagasta replied: THE gov
ernment is not responsible for events
in the Philippines, nor the course Ad-
miral Cervera has taken. The govern
ment must execute its plans and must
not reveal them, which would be un-
patriotic"