New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-06-07
INSURGENTS NEAR MANILA
MAKE VIGOROUS ATTACK ON SPAN.
IARDS ON LEFT BRANCH OF
THE ZAPOTE.


IARDs ON LEFT BRANCH OF
THE zAPOTE.
Hong Kong June 6-The correspondent Of The
Associated Press at Manila, under date Of June
q says:
II have traversed the whole region Of fight
ing during the last three days. in spite OF the
prohibition. I found the insurgents strongly
posted at Caloocan, eight miles north Of Manila,
and at Bacoor. the same distance south. To tho
east found nothing in the way Of insurgent
intrenchments.
THE Spaniards hold the whole Pasig River
(Which falls into the bay Immediately below the
town Of ManiIa) to the lagoon. The two sec
tons Of the insurzent forces signal their move
ments with fire balloons.
ITO the northward the rising Is general and
the Spaniards are few. The railway has been
cut in several places, and the English overseers
have been warned Off"
ITO the southwark there has been fierce fight
ing on the Zapote River. between Bacoor and
Las Pinas. The biggest battle Of the present
campaign was fought last Tuesday MAY 81.
The insurgents attacked on the left branch OF
the Zapote. waded across amid typhoon.
stormed the banks for several miles along. and
carried the Spanish trenches with knives.
Yesterday June y they tried the right branch
OF the zapote. but failed. The Spaniards en-
ployed artillery all day. but no casualties are
reported To-day there has been only Ineffective
skirmishes
NETWORK OF AMBUSCADES.
THE country is densely wooded and swampy.
Both sides shoot ainlessy ! got in the mid
die OF the firing, but nobody hurt. Moth
ing was visible in the fusLade. and believe
nobody knew what he was shooting at. The in
surgents however, are excellent in melee.
The spaniards say they were victorious yes
terday, but that they cannot follow up the vie-
tory and annihIlate the rebels. because OF the
American warships at Cavte. Moreover. they
say II Is necessary 10 save their energies for the
American troops.
"Meanwhile the neghborhood Of Manila Is an
impenetrabls network Of ambuscades."
The spaniards are utterly unimpressed by the
naval defeat here. They explain that their
squadron was vastly outclassed. and are conf
dent OF victory on shore They are deter
mined TO figh, to the end as the ships did
Evidently they will never learn common
sense until Manila is annihilated by street and
house fighting in the outer city and by bonn
bardment Of the walled citadel.
The insurgents raided a railway station ten
miles to the north OF Manila, and killed three
priests and an officer. There has also been
pitched battle at a Spanish post south Of Manila
uesf Cavite, the result being that the insurgents
retired The Spanish casualties we're 80
Al Manila the work OF constructing defences
eoes on and there sandbag breastworks In
all directions The Americans are always using
their searchlights. but they never interfere with
The work on the defences. The Span,ards be-
lieve that they are short on ammunition.
The Governor has issued a proclamation Of
ferng the natives great concessions. and de-
claring that the Americans will be powerless on
the island.
INSURGENTS STEADILY ADVANCING.
Meanwhile the insurgents are steadily ad-
vancing along the coast, supported by the
r-ntsd States gunboat Petrel and are driving
urec five important positions nine miles from
the city. and over 400 Spaniards have been
killed Four thousand Spanish reiniorcements
have been sent but 1t is asserted that Asunaldo
will enter the city by June l. bombardment
will be avoided If possible
The Spanish outpos;s have been driven In all
along the line. simultaneously and with great
slaughter There has been fierce hand-to-hand
fighting for seventy hours. despite the typhoon
which Is raging.
The violent winds and torrents of rain render
the rifles of the Spanish troops unavailing.
To-day the insurgents held Malabon Tarlao
and Bacoor They now attacking Santa
Mesa and Violate. the suburbs OF the city, WHICH
Is completely encircled for distance OF se'e"
miles.
native regiment under Colonel Aguina!do.
cousin Of the insurgent leader. yesterday Joined
the insurgents
The Governor has issued despairing procla-
nation. begging the insurgents to come TO
terms. and meanwhile he Is arranging to re-
move all the Spanish population inside the old
walled civ. He Is filling the moats. testing tho
drawbudges and placing strong guards In the
nrncipal streets and artillery along the walls.
An the other troops are camping in the suburbs-
The weather Is terrific.
7 visited Cavite without the Spanards know
ing 1t, and found there 1871 wounded and 90
prisoners, among the latter six Spanish officers.
the others natives All were we'll treated
Chief Aguinaldo, in the course OF an inter-
view. has said that the insurgents are eager %
rush upon Manila forthwith but that Admiral
Dewey refuses to allow "hordes OF passionate
and semi -savages to storm civilized metropo-
lis"
Admiral Dewey intends TO await the arrival
NJ the American troops. In the meantime tho
insurgents have been forbidden TO cross tho
Malete River, seven miles south OF Manila II
they attempt to cross the Petrol Will be sta