The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-08-08
In Which the FOrmer Steadily Gain
Ground, Despite che Obstinate Re-
sistance of augustus Men.
MANILA COMPLETELY CUT OFF
AMERICAN INFLUENCE A POTENT
FACTOR IN CONDyCT OF AFFAIRS.
All Foreigners Have Words of Com.
mendntiOn for thY Tact and SKiu
Displayed by Admiral Dewey.
correspondence Of the Jo,:rnal.

HARBOR OF MANIS-A Island of Luzor,
July 2, via Hong-Kong and per o. & o. ).
S. Doric,-Heavy and almost uninterrupted
fighting has been going on since mailed my
last letter on the 18th ult. The insurgents
are daily gaining ground, although in some
instances the Spaniards are obstinately de-
Tending every inch. All my endeavors.
backed by strong German influence, TO OBJ
tain PERMISSION 10 go TO the front have met
with polite but most decided refusal, and
l near that the American correspondents
at Cavite have been equally unsuccessful
with Aguinaldo. The lSpaniards, however,
do not OBJECT to my ilsiting the scene CT
battle when exhaustion causes temporary
cessation OF hostllities% Thus / nave been
permitted 10 look AROUND the old polverjn
or powder magazine, where the righuing Eas
been very severe Tor several days in sue
cession. The road from Cavite winds round
and leads to Manila .by way OF Malate.
Here near The polverin u force OF about 900
Spaniaros resisted the curious ana persist
enI onslaught OF the Insurgents. The poSi-N
ton is strong, since onb sioe OF the road is
protected by an impossible swamp, which
accounts Tor the long resistance, since the
insurgents must atlack by the road AT
Santa Ana, the easIs the Spaaiarus hava
held their own so TAR, ialthough The nsur-
gents seemed 10 court 9ealh, nngIag iEtm-
selves upon the sJocKades ana treacnas ue-
tending the position Al Santa Mesa, a lit
tie Iarlher TO the northeast, the lighting
has also been very severe and proIIacted.
1t seems to De AgulnaIios purpose 10 wear
out The Spaniarus, al4us # 50 ne il: succeed
ing beyond the most sSngOlne expectations.
IL there Is song 10 be any nghtlng Tor or
troops, the first oetacamenI OF wnom ar
riveo on the SJth uit., ii Will be with the
insurgents. for truly tEe Spaniards will be
giaa enough to lay down their arms.
Enemies though they are, the condition Of
the soldiers really paIlabie. A friend of
mine, correspondent OF an English paper,
tod me or TWO instances of horrible suffer-
ing which came under his personal observa-
uon. A picket in command OF captain was
ordered occupy a new position after Ia
pote had fallen. Doaging by the enemy's
ouIposts, rording rivers and splashing
through swamps, ne reached his destination
after rorty-eignt hours wandering. All this
time he and his men mad been without food.
he had occupied his position for nve not rs
and il seemed as ii the authorities DIT M4siia
hau forgotten MS existence, Tor there was
no sign of eny suppnes My friend assisted
the oIncer, but Was unable 10 nelp the men.
The next outpost, in. charge OF d naval Off
Ger, was in the same condition. For forty
eight hours the men haa tasted no food.
How these Spaniards Withstand all this is
a marvel. Drencheo to the skin by rain,
the not tropical sun makes steam rise from
their wet garments. Every church, and
their number is not insignificant, is hos
pIraI anu Is crowded with sufferers who pay,
dearly FOL lne incapdcity and greed or their
rulers. ~ a. wonder that every witness
or all this -. ering hopes that Spanish rule
in Mania lnay be ended forever?
MANILA Is CUT OFF.
Manila is surrounded. Three forces of the
insurgents hold the city in control 1he
supplies from the north. are cut off since
the repels have stopped the railway con-
nection; the communication with Laguna de
Bay, on the east, is interrupted by the Sec
ond force, and on the south the rebels
stand between Pasay and Malate. Virtually
Manila is in possession OF the Americans,
small is our present force, unless Aguln-
aldo breaks through all restraint and pro-
vokes conflict by closing in the city.
He has been very successful, this twenty
eight-year-old leader, for! with ali his dandy
airs and theatrical actions, he is leader
of men in times like these How he would
be at the head of a government in times
now supreme law in the provinces Of Cav.te.
Balucan and Bataan, and without much eff
fort he take those of Batangas and
Pampanga- Thus the magnificent bay Will
be in possession of the Insurgents with The
exception of Manila province, and of that
only the city bows to the sangre oro the
blood and gold,' as the Spaniards love to
describe their flag.
How are the mighty fallen! These insuir-
gents, but a brief two months ago the scum
of the earth IN the sight of the proud dons,
are now their masters. There is retribution
in this! Senior Don Leopoldo Garcia Pena,
brigadier general in the regular army and
governor of the province of Cavite, with a
long record of service, his breast covered
with decorat tons, who belongs to one of
SPANS proudest families. is a prisoner Of
the despised rebels. Another prisoner OF
note is the governor of Bataam, Senior Don
Antonio Cordoba, now suffering from self
inflicted wounds when he preferred death
to the punishment expested from those
whom he had cruelty prosecuted. A heavy
ransom has been offered for him by his
family.
Prior to the evacuation of Cavite for the
expected American forces. the prisoners Of
war were stored here In two weeks fight
ing the insurgents captured about two
thousand Spanish soldiers and officers, in
Guiding over nine hundrea regulars while
the rebels lost about tweIity killed and not
over fifty prisoners. Aguiraldo's official list
gives eleven officers of ana above the rank
of lieutenant colonel, including the two
brigadier generals mentioned before; 70 Of
ficers below the rank of Lieutenant colonel,
and 632 regulars belonging to the crack Sew
enty-third and Seventy-fDurth regiments.
and of whom so much was expected. Five
prominent priests who have made them
selves especially obnoxious and who
are most cordially hated are also
Aguinaldos unwilling guests. What with
the revengeful hatred with which the ma
tives look at them. and their ignorant ter
ror of the Americans, the. poor fellows are
between the devil and the deep sea. A lib
eraI estimate of the armed forces of the
insurgents is about $500 men, and OF these
Aguinaldo had. according 10 his recent Off
cial report. captured 400 Spanish sol
diers and about 1000 natives under Spanish
officers. 1t seems Incredible. but even
Spanish officers admit that the governor Of
Batangas, a general in the regular army.