Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1898-08-10
TROUBLE.
Auguinaldo' g Attitude May Lead 70
Conflict With Uncle Sam
MERRITT NAY NEED MORE TROOPS
Cardinal Rampoila, Papal Secretary oi
State, Fears That AuguinalAo
Intends TO Massacre Cath.
0lics at Manila.

their apprehension of serious trouble
to follow the execution of our pro-
gram in regard to tie Philippines.
The reports of the military and naval
commanders of late have contained
warnings of expected conflicts With
the insurgents and no surprise will be-
felt at the receipt of news of an out
break at almost any moment.
The United States government feels
THAT 1T has assumed a moral obliga-
ton toward not only foreign resi-
dents at Manila, but toward the un-
protected classes of the Spanish COM
munity, women, children, nuns and
priests. Therefore, when intimation
came that the insurgents were threat
ening the lives of some helpless
monks, orders were sent to the Amer
ican military commander to look into
the matter and to act in the interest
OF civilization and humanity.
AS, according to report, the insur-
gents have shown particular ostiIhy
toward the monks, it is a reasonable
| eXpec tation that, before long a col
lision will have occurred between
themselves and the American troops
II the latter undertake to interfere in
the execution of the vengeance OF the
insurgents.
The war and navy departments
have received, through Cardinal Ram
polla, papal secretary of state. a ca
olegram from the pope expressing the
keenest anxiety for the safety of the
bishop and clergy at Oavite. Infor-
nation received at the Vatican is to
the effect that Aguinaldo and his
forces have planned the massacre OF
the Catholics.
Immediately upon receipt of the in.
formation caIblegrams were sent to
General Merritt and Admiral Dewey
directing them to take every means
possible to prevent the insurgents
from harming Catholics. The recent
OF the news has caused much uneasi-
ness here. If an attempt of this kim
Is made by Aguinaldo it will surely
lead to conflict between the forces
under him and those of the United
States.
Although the war department Of
ficials will not admit that they have
any in'tentiom of reinforcing further
General Merritt's forces at Cavite.
there is reason to believe that some
OF the troops now in eastern camps
who desire to see active service will
soon find the opportunity, unless Inc
government Shall change its present
plans with respect to the Philippines.
le is believed to be necessary, even il
our claim is limited to the terms stat.
ed in the conditions submitted to
Spain, namely, to the military occu-
patton and government of the terri
tory on the shores of the bay of Ma.
Mia. to furnish General Merritt a
larger force than he has now at his
command. 1t is realized that 90 900
soldiers scarcely can be expected to
maintain United States possession
and protect the inhabitants over a
territory of This extent, for il must
aforementioned that the bay of Ma.
mia rs twenty-five miles deep from
the entrance, at Corregidor island, to
the city of Manila, at its head. II wi,I
also be necessary to possess and pro-
tect a zone extending some distance
back of the city, in order to make
sure OF the preservation of the wa .er
works.
Of course, considerable force
would not be necessary If the insur.
gents under Aguinaldo could e
brought to realize that their inter.
ests he in permitting undisputed pos.
session of this territory by The United
States. But 1T would be expecting too
much of the native character to keen
before the eyes OF t..e insurgents the
rich loot to be had in Manila without
an adequate force to protect the
place.
Then, with the growing heat and
dampness it is to be expected that i'll.
ness will develop among the troops.
not to the extent that 1T appe ared at
Santiago. but sufIrcient 10 REQUIRE
some of the men to be inva4ided home
and their places to be taken by fresh
troops from the United States.
At present. the large majority of
General Merritt's force is composed
of troops drawn from the Pacific
coast or far western states. 1t is pre-
sumed that. if he should he reinforc-
ed, the eastern troops will be given
an opportunity to make the long voy.
age TO manila, as this will accord
with the policy that the war depart.
merit has now adopted of taking geo.
graphical considerations into account
in aHotting the troops for active SER
vice at the front