Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-07-08
THE MANILA SITUATION.
No Change Up to Juno 30-Insurgcnts
Practically Have Things Their own Way.


Copyright, Associated Press.)
Manila, June 80, via Hong Kong, July
There is no material change in the
aspect OF affairs here. The Span1ards
are strongly posted about the outskirts
of the town and also along the whole
length of the conduit of the water
works, eight miles inland. 1t is believ-
ed the Spaniards only hold the water
works on suffrance, because the insur-
gents pickets hold sway everywhere and
could easily raid and wreck the con-
duit. But the insurgents are extremely
anxious to conciliate the neutrals and
therefore refrain from causing horrible
privatiOn.
The insurgents have never employed
cannon before Manila, but they ARE now
bringing up sixty guns with the inten-
ton of making a simultaneous rush up
on the Spanish entertainments at Santa
Mesa, Santa Ana and Malato, thus rem
dering the other positions of the Span
iards untenable by single coup drive
the Spaniards inside the citadel with
minimum of destruction to non-combat-
ants and property. 1t is expected that
it will take week to bring the guns
along as they have to make detours
through a difficult part Of the country
and it Is not desirable to hurry.
The American troops are expected
here momemarily and then ~probably
there will be quick finish of the war.
The insurgents in the largs camps
at Malabon, Caloocan. Francisco Mar
quina, San Pedro and Paranaque are in
excellent spirits and perfectly orderly.
They are delighted with successful
ruse which they recently adopted to
draw the Spanish fire. This method is
by firing crackers in the darkness in
the woods near the Spanish positions.
The explosion of the crackers resembles
the rattle of musketry and causes the
Spaniards to open fire and waste their
ammunition.
The insurgents allege that they had
only one rifle at the capture Of Caloocan,
and they say they similarly surrounded
Guliguiguin at night and fired crackers
and few rifles, while their main force
crept close to the enemy with machetes.
The Spaniards, the insurgents add,
squandered their ammunition and then
bolted
Gen. Monet, the Spanish commander at
Macabobo, has escaped from there in a
canoe. bringing with him the family of
Captain General August from Macabobo,
where the captain general was sent when
the American fleet arrived here believ
ing that the natives of that part of the
country were loyal.
Gen. Monet had a terrible voyage He
ran the gauntlet of the insurgent troops
along the river banks and when chal-
lerged replied by pretending to be an in
surgent boat conveying prisoners to
Cavlte. He was frequently ordered to
stop, refused to do so, was fired upon
by sentries, was chased and finally
reached the open bay in a squall. He
and his party were starving and nearly
persisted.
The Spanish general alleged that he
left his troops in a strong position, but
that he wants achievements.
A river steamer from Bulacan to-day
ran the blockade, bringing 200 refugees,
women and children.
The Spaniards are employing gangs of
natives armed with axes and machetes,
to destroy the woods in the outskirts of
Manila under Spanish overseers with
horsewhips.