The Springfield herald., 1898-09-16
CONDITIONS AT MANILA.
Dyer Kindly Returns II sword-A AEuinAido's
Pcrniclous Activity.

Manila, Philippine Islands, Sept. o.
The United States consul here, G. Il
Williams, in behalf Of Captain n
Mayo Dyer of the United States cruis
er Baltimore, has returned to Genera
Miranda the sword which the latter
surrendered to the American officer nj
the capture of the Corregidor island
nj the entrance of the Bay Of Manila
| The general replied that he was over
whelmed by the generosity OF Captain
Dyer.
The men who went out on strike oI
account of an attempt TO return 10 al
equal basis for payment of labor. ar
! ter the American authorities in the
early eXigencies OF the situation here
had agreed TO the eNtrayagant de-
mands of the laborcrs, are disappear
Ing, and 1t has become necessary Ia
employ soldiers TO take their places
In some cases. while in others the mat
ter has been compromised. one of
these strikes, as cabled on September
5th. caused the suspension of traffic on
the horse car lines Of Manila. but they
resumed operations to-day.
The recruiting agents of the insur-
gents are causing further trouble.
They have been impressing the en-
ployes of foreign residents, including
those of the British consul, and sew
eral Of the foreigners have COM
piained that the native grooms are
taking their employers horses and
joining the insurgents.
The American army chaplains have
instituted Protestant services in pri-
vatc buildings. Such services have
never previously been held in the his
tory OF the Philippine islands.
General Aguinaldo. in his capacity
as president or dictator. In calling n
meeting of the Filipino Congress.
has disclosed the fact that he has
planned to have complete control of
that body from the start. He will OBJ
tain control by appointing a majority
of the representatives of the various
districts.
This so-called Congress Is 10 meet
in Malolos on October 18th. so that
Aguinaldo will have ample time in
which to choose the men who will mp
hold him In his dictatorship. With n
nretense of fairness. Aguinaldo pro
yides in his decree calling the Con
@resS TO assemble that Spanlards who
have resided in the Philippine islands
for ten years may exercise the right
of suffrage in the selection OF repre-
sentatives. In districts where no revo-
luton has taken place Aguinaldo will
himself choose the representatives
and it is by this means that he will
obtain full control.
Since Agulnaldo has conferred up
on himself the authority TO choose
representatives from the districts
where no revolt has taken place. there
will be no possible chance for any
move to wrest the leadership from
him.
So far as this Congress is concerned
his authority will be rs absolute as
that which Spain has exercised. San
ia Cruz, the last position held by the
Spaniards on Manila bay. has been
taken by the insurgents. who have fol-
lowed up their success by seeking
vengeance upon some of the priests of
that section. This took the form of
requiring the priests to do penance''
by standing on the roadside for many
hours. \ story comes from Iba, in
the northern part of the island of Lu-
zon. about the cruel treatment of n
Spanish bishop by rebel sympathizers.
The prelate was beaten with clubs
and compelled to disclose the hiding
place of the money belonging to the
church.
The insurgents are strongly fortify-
Ing MalOlos, where Aguinaldo has
temporarily established the capital of
the rebel government.
That the insurgent leader is bent
upon mischief becomes daily more ap-
parent. An American officer of high
rank has Informed me that crisis in
affairs cannot be delayed many days.
1 fact which he says should be fully
considered 10y the government at
Washington.