The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-07-19
THE TEXT OF DOCUMENT
RELATES TO THE GOVERNMENT
OF SANTIAGO DE CUBA.
A NEW POLITICAL POWER IN CUBA
Its Formal Establishment insuring to the Inhab-
itants Absolute Security in the Exer-
else of Their Private Rights
and Relations.

Manila, July 13.-Nla llOhS-NohS'
Ju,v 1S-an important interview mas just
becn held between General Agulnaldo 5
secretary, Legarda, and prominent
native white man and the Spanish COM
m,nder. CAPTAIN General August. The
INSURGENTS representatives urged Gcncr-
AN Aurusti to surrender the city, assert
ing that fifty thousand insurgents sur
rounded Manila and were able to enter
If ot any moment. Thus far, they added,
the insurgents had been restrained with
difficulty, but if the Spaniards continu-
cd stubborn, the result would be that
the insurgents would be compelled to
lombard and storm the city, with the
inevitable slaughter, unparalleled i'll ms
tory. because in the excitement OF bat
tie they cannot discriminate"
Continuing the Captain Generals vlsl-
TORS advised him to disregard the Off
cial fictions regarding alleged Spanish
victories in Cuba and rcinforccments
coming to the Philippines, and proposed
a reconciliation between the SpanlardS
and the philippines under republican
flag. and il joint endeavor to persuade
tho Americans to abandon hostiltics i'll
the Philippine islands. Finally the rep
representatives of the insurgents pro-
posed an appeal to the powers to recoS-
nizc the INDEPENDENCE of the Philippine
islands.
The Captain General replied that he
must fight, however hopeless, the Spanish
cause.
Legarda then returned to Cavte. tax
ing with him the native, who is II paroicd
prisoner.
The natives inside the city say they
received Il fortnight ago concerted
signal to prepare for storming the walls.
A second signal. fixing the date of the
a ssault. has not yet been issued. and
they arc tired of waiting and are losing
faith in Aguinaldo. The latter. it is al
legged. finds it extremely difficult to
capture the town Notifications. His pre-
yious successes. it is pointed out, were
easy. because of the nature of the
country which suited his skirmishers.
1t is further alleged that the principal
points captured by the insurgents were
obtained possession of through treach-
cry.
The insurgents are now bringing artil-
lery around by sea from MalahOn,
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 Il more
strict blockade. lest it be invalidated by
permitting ncutrals to visit Cavite and
Malabon. and send and receive mails en-
closing surreptitious Spanish dispatch
os He has threatened to station war
ships opposite the city, which might pre-
cipitate hoStiltics, as the Spanish Off
GERS declare they will certainly fire on
any American within range regardless
of the consequence.
The second instalmcnt of American
troops is expected here daily. and the
last attachments are booked to arrive
here early in August. Probably military
operations will be deferred until the
September dry season. when it is cooler.
and possibly then bloodShed may be UNI
necessary.
a Spanish steamer, the Fillipinas has
just been brought in here in the hands
of the insurgents. 1t appears that she
was on the northern coast and escaping
to China with d naticc crew on board,
when the latter rcvolted killed the
Spanish officers and brought the YES
sci to Cavitc
The Standards are daily employing
convicts to fell trees and burn huts on
the outskirts Of the town Fusilades
continue: but otherwise the position is
unchanged. The stock of flour is prac-
tically exhausted but the supplies of
rice and buffalo meat will last for
months longer