The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-07-24
But There Is Reason to Believe that
Admiral Dewey's Pluck and Tact
VIII Not BE Found wanting
CAUSE OF GERMAN HOSTILITY
AGUINALDO LIKELY To PROVE
TRICKY AND UNsCRUPULOUs.
Smelling of Manila Not Likely Unless
ming of the Rebel Leader.
correspondence Of the journal.

Correspondence of the Journal.
HARBOR OF MANILA Island of Luzon,
June 10, via Hong-Kong and per o. and o.
S. s. Gaelc.--Anxiously as we are waiting
for the promised reinforcements so as to
enter upon greater activity there is no one
who can feel greater anxiety than Admiral
Dewey, upon whose attitude in these days
of trial so much depends. With utterly in
adequate forces, he is at present the only
recognized authority. and here are five Ger
man war vessels evincing anything but a
friendly spirit, although avoiding hostil-
tiles, their admiral hobnobbirg with the
Spaniards and counting the rebels On the
other hand, there is Agunaldo with his
bands of insurgents, rendered savage by
long list of insults, and eager to avenge
acts of revolving tyranny upon their former
masters. Again there is Aguinaldo, flushed
with many a hard-fought victory, clamoring
for recognition CT his so-called republic, in
reality a pronunciamento, with himself
dictator. While providing these men with
arms and ammunition, and thus placing the
means for mischief into their hands, Dewey
must keep them in sufficient submission to
protect the defenseless the noncombatants,
the women and the children. All these war
ring. bubbling forces our hero-diplomat
|
| ing and serene as if he were on a holiday
visit in a friendly harbor. we may imagine
the look Of care when in the seclusion of his
cabin. This is not all of the burden resting
upon his shoulders; there is the care of his
men. in this hot tropical climate, with the
month of July, the worst time of the year,
| at the door. And yet the crew of the fleet
| is kept in such healthy condition that only
| thirty forty are on the sick list. He also
must prepare quarters for the troops With
| all this on his mind he appears cheerful,
| as If this sort of thing had been his expert
ence for years.
| / fancy that have discovered the reason
| of Germanys evident ill-feeling toward us.
| From what well-informed merchants of that
nation tell me, it has been the Kaiser's
policy to secure colonies as an outlet for
| his surplus population, and these islands
We're considered as certain to fall into Ger
many's power, either by purchase or other
| wise. Dewey's victory has in all probability
| frustrated this little scheme of which Kiao-
| chao was the inauguration. 1t is felt now
that that barren possession might just as
well be given up since, with the Philippines
| in the hands Of a strong power there is
hardly anything left worth taking in this
part of the Pacific. But will Germany re-
nounce the possession of these rich colonies
without struggle? The near future will
decide.
EFFORTS AT CANCELLATION.
1t was my intention to keep a diary. but
the too friendly attitude of the Spanish off,
GERS warns me that l must be careful in
committing my observations to writing. The
government has been making desperate eff
forts TO conciliate the Philippines. and the
leading papers-misleading papers would be
more appropriate-gloried in the result until
It was too evident that those who but a
short time ago were vile rebels and now
have been appealed to as ''hrothers" would
have none of this sudden affection The
awakening came a few days ago. On Sun
day 1t became known that three priests
waiting at station near Geronda, had been
suddenly attacked and killed by the rebels
The news was brought by another priest
and physician who succeeded in escaping.
Notwithstanding this rude revelation of the
hatred for all that is Spanish the poor gov
ernor and his dull-headed council go on
making offers to the insurgents The Span
ish governors of the provinces have been
recalled and their places offered to-the in
surgents A Philippine was made governor
of the province Of Cavite with the title of
NO@~AANA
take to prevent Aguinaldo from attacking
Manila on that side. But the Spanish gov
ernor withdrew his troops and left him
with empty title involving neither au-
thority nor salary. Frantic efforts have
| been made to reconcile Aguinaldo with the
government. Two Jesuit priests appointed
! by the governor recently sought and OBJ
tanned an interview with the rebel chief
! They offered him all the reforms he asked
| for, and even autonomy, holding out lib
eral offer for himself Agunaldo replied
| that he had some experience of Spanish
| promises and that as to money he had only
received half of what had been agreed. The
| priests withdrew, but the next day the gov
ernor sent two wealthy Philippines, mem
| bers of the recently created provisional
| council. They begged him to consider his
| conscience in fighting for heretics against
| most Christian Spain. Aguinaldo informed
| them that they were his prisoners, as hav-
ing come with reasonable proposals; that
no harm would happen to them beyond what
| the law should decide after the war These
men not returning, the governor thought
that his proposals were being entertained
and sent two other Philippines to urge a
prompt ratification. These men were also
detained.
This seems TO speak we'll for Aginaldo'S
loyalty. But it must be remembered that
the Spanish government is notorious for it's
disregard of promises and he knows that
nothing short of his life would satisfy
Spanish revenge, so he prefers being on the
safe side, thank you. Besides, Senior Don
Emilio Aguinaldo Y Fami has something
more than mere presidential bee in his
bonnet. as shall soon prove. am afraid
that General Merritt will find him a tricky
customer when the day of reckoning comes
LIFE IN MANILA.
Manila is a queer place to live in while
this sort OF interregnum lasts The for
eign residents have decided to remain until
the last moment, although business is sus-
pended AS in all Spanish cities. there is
here lovely drive the Luneta. where the
beau monde Of the city parades when the
heat of day is over. When the first agony
over the loss of the fleet had subsidized. the
carriages reappeared. and the Luneta was
gay with the pons. the senoras and senori-
tas, encouraging one another with the GER
tainty of European Intervention in favor Of