The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1898-09-25

but for some reason best known to
himself failed to keep the appointment
he had made.
Later the Consul proposed that the
two clergymen should pass the Ameri-
can trenches and enter the Spanish
lines, saying he would display the Bel
gian flag at the exact point on the
outWorks at which he would meet them
and that he would insure them safe
conduct. General Greene gave his con-
sent to this plan after strong demur
and the two priests were on hand to
keep their engagement. Once more the
Belgian Consul failed to keep his ap-
pointment, and the priests were fired
upon from the Spanish lines, one bullet
coming so close to them that Father
McKinnon's coat was cut and his back
slightly scratched.
1t was formally announced then, as
cabled you, that the attempt to see the
Archbishop would be given up. Father
McKinnon was not satisfied to let the
matter rest there. He realized no one
more keenly, the tremendous power the
Archbishop of Manila must possess for
veal or woe and he determined to ap-
peal to the humanity of one who after
all was but a man with mans feel
ing FIR his fellows. The hostile armies
were lying quietly on their arms to-
day and the fleet, though grimly form
ing, was silent. An air of expectancy
hung over the American camp. 1t had
been announced two days ago that
Dewey had given notice to the new
Governor General of Manila, Don Fir
men Jaudenez Alvarez, that at o'clock
on Wednesday afternoon he would be-
gin the bombardment of the city The
Governor asked for an extension of
this time for twenty-four hours and
this was granted. Until noon to-day,
therefore, when word came from Hong
1rsn, hat no irtr a lfy hno
agreed upon and from the flagship that
the bombardment had been again post
poned, it had confidently been expected
that before night the capital of Luzon
would be tumbling in ruins about the
ears of it's defenders.
Stretching away in front Of our camp
the beach is as level as floor down to
the very walls of Manila. Two miles
away, where an old iron barge has
been moored to mango tree, the
American trenches come down to the
water, and 1000 yards beyond are the
trenches from which the Spaniards de-
1end the pulverin, or powder magazine,
OF Malate, now innocent OF powder, but
making a strong battery.
standing on the beach in front of our
camp, Father McKinnon watched the
SHIPS In the offiing, swept the beach
with strong glass, and remarked to
me:
pcheNe could walk rlgnC away
down the beach and into Manila with
out any trouble at ALL"
The good father was missing at din
ner time, although no one supposed
that he had really carried out a pur-
pose but imperfectly expressed He
walked into camp at o'clock tonight,
straight from the palace of the Gov
ernor General of Manila, the palace of
the man who had been selected to sue
coed August because he was a fire.
eater and because it was suggested at
Madrid that August was too much
afraid of Dewey's guns to make a
proper defense. Father McKinnon had
walked down the beach into Manila.
Without authorization other than that
given by his sacred calling, placing no
responsibility upon any shoulder save
his own, he had done all that he could.
more than any man in the camp be-
lieved possible, to prevent the loss of
more life. If the worst comes now his
conscience will be clear. He had done
more than his duty.
The father had found small difficulty
in entering the city. He was shot at
once. when within about 500 yards of
the Spanish trenches. 1t was then too
late to go back. even If he had desired