The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-07-19
Important Interview Between Aguin-
aIdo's Secretary and Gen. Augusti
That Ended Enthusiastically.
A RECONCILIATION PROPOSED
AUGUSTA ASKED TO JOIN IN ESTAB-
LISTING A REPpBLIc,
And to EndeavOr to Persuade the
More Troops for Merritt.

MANILA, July 10, via Hong-Kong, July
B-An important interview has just been
held here between General Agunaldo's Sec
rotary. Legarda and a prominent native
white man and the Spanish commander,
Captain General August The insurgents
representatives urged General August TO
surrender the city, asserting that $4,000 IN
surgents surrounded Manila and were able
to enter it at any moment. Thus far, they
added the insurgents had been restrained
with difficulty, but if the Spaniards contin-
ued stubborn the result would be that the
insurgents would be compelled to lombard
and storm the city with an inevitable
slaughter, unparalleled in history, because
in the excitement of battle they cannot dis
eliminate"
Continuing the captain generals visitors
advised him to disregard the official tictions
regarding alleged Spanish victories in Cuba
and reinforcements coming to the Philippine
islands, and proposed a reconciliation be-
tween the Spaniards in the Philippines I'M
der republican flag and joint endeavor to
pursuade the Americans to abandon hostil-
tiles in the Philippine islands. Finally, the
representatives of the insurgents proposed
an appeal to the powers to recognize the in
dependence of the Philippine islands. The
captain general replied that he must fight,
however hopeless the Spanish cause. La
garda than returned to Cavite, taking with
him the native, who is a paroled prisoner.
The natives inside the city say they re-
ceived, a fortnight ago, concerted signal,
to prepare for storming the walls. A second
signal fixing the day of the assault has not
yet been issued, and they are tired of walt
ing and are losing faith in Aguinaldo The
latter, it is alleged, finds it extremely diff
cult to capture the town Notifications. His
previous successes, it is pointed out, were
easy because of the nature of the country,
which suited his skirmishers. 1t is further
alleged that the principal points captured
by the insurgents were obtained possession
of through treachery. The insurgents are
now bringing artillery around by sea from
Malabon which is tedious and troublesome
work. They are also obtaining detailed re-
ports of the conditions of affairs from the
inside of the city.
Admiral Dewey is establishing a more
strict blockade lest it be invalidated by per-
hitting neutrals to visit Cavite and Mala-
bon and send and receive mails 1nclosing
surreptitious Spanish dispatches. He had
threatened to station war ships opposite the
city, which might precipitate hostiltleS, as
the Spanish officers declare they. will GER
tainly fire on any American within range
regardless of the consequences.
The second installment of American troops
is expected here daily, and the last detach-
August Probably military operations will
be deferred until the September dry season,
when it is cooler, and, possibly, then blood
shed may be unnecessary.
A Spanish steamer, the Fiiipinas, has just
been brought in here in the hands of the
insurgents. 1t appears that she was on the
northern coast and escaped to China with
a native crew on board, when the latter re-
volted, killed the Spanish officers and
brought the vessel to Cavite.
Spaniards are daily employing convicts to
fell trees and burn huts on the outskirts of
the town. Fusillades continue, but other
wise the position is unchanged: The stock
of flour is practically exhausted, but the
supplies of rice and buffalo meat will slast
for months longer.