Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-06-18
STARVING SOLDIERS
Aiding in Defeat ofthe.Spanish
in the Philippines.
Thousands in the Need Of Food and
All Supplies Cut OFF.
In Meantime Dewey and the Insurgents Arc
Doing Their Share.

Copyright 1888, by The Associated Press)
Manila, June 5.--Via Hong Kong,
June lit is now officially admitted
here that the lack of food supplies has
become a force Gunboats conveying
volunteers sent into the lagoon to
search for food for the city on Friday,
June 3, returned home, today, Sunday,
and reported the total failure of their
mission.
The insurgents have united near
Passig on the Passig river, driving the
Spanish gunboats down the river.
There were a few casualties.
The commander of the gunboats also
report that every lagoon and town is
hostile and that their garrisons have
probably been massacred.
The Spanish hotilla was unable to ef-
feet a landing, in spite Of prolonged
firing upon the part of all the Sunboats.
Nobody was killed.
This removes the last hopes of pro
visioning Manila as during the week all
the garrisons were simultaneously
overpowered or surrendered as prison
ers. The latter are we'll treated. y
majority CT those who resisted Were
slaughtered.
Whole companies of Spaniards have
had nothing to eat for two days and
some of them are literally crying II
is pitiable sight. The native peas
antry charitably assist the starving
soldiers without compulsion and some
Englishmen. yesterday. gave treat to
the soldiers guarding an outpost.
They bought a wandering haWker's
stock of eatables for few shiiiinSs
and gave the food to the soldiers, who
said it was the first food they had
tasted for 36 hours.
There is no doubt as one person re-
marked, that somebody deserves
lynchinc for the state of affairs exist
ing Scores of bIoated officers of the
Spanish forces are to be seen daily
loafng about the beer shops and cafes
along the boulcvards reViling the
English, while the wen under them are
starving.
The insurgents. Yesterday, rushed the
passage of the Zapota river and also de
seconded from the lagoon took the Span
iards in flank and captured several guns.
The Spanish soldiers made a good stand
until they were ordered to retreat. Prob
ably their ammunition was inadequate.
1t is almost impossible to understand
how such magnificent positions can be
abandoned without struggle.
The Insurgents, today, captured Las
Pinas paranaguc, Tuns4lo Malibay ana
Pned, all on the coast line. The Span
iards lost 30 men killed and wounded and
1000 returned here unhurt.
The insurgents are now firing into Ma
late, the southernmost quarter of Manila
and a mile ana a half from the center of
the place containing the fort, magazine,
telegraph station and clubhouse. The
horse cars are running and ladies are
visiting within rifle shot of the enemy,
apparently unconccrned.
The insurgents are also in every out
lying quarter of Manila. awaiting the
signal to advance.
At Galoocan, u suburban railroad sta
ton, there are still a few Spanish troops
in ridiculous little entertainments. The
village is full of insurgents ana the rail
Ell Commerce. has published a sup
plemcnt eXpatiatlng at great length on
the "Diabolical cruclties practiced in
the British colonies ana predicting Il
similar tyranny in the Philippines I'M
less the powers intervene.
Tonight, almost all Of the Spanish
civilians are outside the citadel the
troops are manning the walls ana tn"
guarding the river.
Admiral Dewey has consented that
Spanish merchant steamers shall re-
move the n-roqnbantants. The in
surgents exchange signals with the
Americans day and night, while the
Spaniards continue shooting at
shadows; constructing works which
they admit will he unavaiIing and lin
ing every road with useless defences
Many Of the native troops make little
secret Of their intention to desert, to-
night There is 4 frantic scramble for
refuge inside the old walled citadel. by
the governors orders. of all the towns
people.
The captain general held q council al
war at which it was proposed to sur
render because resistance was clearly
useless and deplorabla expenditure Of
blood and heroic efforts Wotlld he rem
dered futile by lack Of training. insufli-
ent supplies and the smallness of the
force.
The council was furious at this "hu-
initiation by mere natives" ana Cart.
Gen. August resigned his military
command and was superseded by his
second in command, who countermand-
ed the withdrawal of the troops from