The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-09-23
United States Consul Alleged to Have
Promised the FiIipinOs Would Be
Given Their Freedom.
THE SITUATION At MANILA
INTERESTING LETTER ON CONDI-
TIONS IN THE PHILIPPINES.
Clearing of the Pasig River Channel
Followed by a Business BoOm-Na-
tives Reaping a Harvest.

SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 22.-The United
States transport China arrived to-day from
Manila, via Hong-Kong, Nagasak and
Kobe. She brought with her as passengers
several distinguished military and naval
men, besides several noted journalists and
two representatives of the provisional gov
ernment of the Philippines, who are en-
route to Washington to plead with Presi-
dent Mckinley for the independence of the
islands, after which they will probably pro-
ceed to Paris to appear before the peace
commission. The Filipinos are Fillipe
Agoncillo and Jose Lopez, the former being
Aguinaldo's chief emissary. In an inter
view with an Associated Press correspond
ent he said the insurgents fully expected to
be allowed to govern themselves, and even
hinted that some sort of agreement had
been made with United States Consul Wild
man regarding the outcome of the war
made by the insurgents against Spain, but
what the terms were Agoncillo would not
state. He said he expected definite instruc-
tion from Aguinaldo by cable. but refused
to give the slightest hint Of any he might
have already received. The Fiipinos are
very shrewd. and speak English fuently.
A passenger on the China disclosed some
further information regarding the reported
agreement between Wildman and the insur-
gents. He said: "Wildman promised
Aguinaldo that the American forces would
combine with the insurgents for the pur-
pose of driving the Spaniards out of the
Philippines. 1t was a joint war, and think
the insurgents understood that the Ameri-
cans were to aid them to gain their inde-
pendence and cast off the yoke of Spain.''
Agoncillo lived in the same residence with
Consul Whitman for almost two wears If
is very clear that there is some complica-
ton in the matter of Consul Wildman's
promises, which were probably misunder-
stood by the insurgent leaders. 1t is also
obvious that the native generals commits
sionerS are bent on q mission to argue in
dependence for the group.
Brigadier General Greene and staff ar
rived on the China. Speaking of the con-
duct of the soldiers during the battle, Gen.
Greene said the volunteers fought and act
ed like regulars, and that he was proud
of them. After the first of the onslaught
they were as cool as could be and prepared
for anything. The fire of the Americans
was particularly deadly at all times.
With General Greene came Adjutants
General Babcock, Captain Rethers, assist
ant surgeon First California Volunteers,
Murat Halstead ard John Fay, a Chicago
II.
he was not recalled for any particular rea-
son that he knows of. He received his or
ders to return to San Francisco the same
day that General Merritt received orders
to proceed to Paris by way of Suez. With
reference to the report that he was recalled
owing to his action in conducting an illegal
court-martial at sea, General Greene says
that Maj. Gen. E. S. Otis gave him the
cases to try and showed him paragraph
in the articles of war giving him the au-
thority to try them. The cases We're tried
according to General Otis's orders, and the
findings of the court were later reversed
by the Washington authorities General
Greene says there is no truth in the story
that he had trouble with General Merritt.
On the contrary, he says that they are the
best of friends
Among the soldiers arriving were Pri-
Yates Jenkins, Thomas, Brown and Nyles,
of Battery G, Third Artillery; Mccain,
Eighteenth Infantry; Russell and White
head, Fourteenth Infantry, and Utbricht of
the Montana Volunteers. Utbricht returned
on account of disability while the other
men came back because of the expiration
of their terms of service
Speaking of the situation at Manila, Cen
eral Greene expressed the opinion that there
WOulu not De trOuDle WIN AgulnaldO, but
he declined to go into the details The
health conditions at Manila are improving,
but it is extremely difficult to prevent dis-
ease from spreading among the American
soldiers, as the Spaniards have occupied the
buildings and have left the germs of dis
ease behind them. General Greene left for
Washington tonight.
Robert w. Gait, chief engineer of the
Charleston, was invalided home, and will
report at Mare island. The transport SEN
ator left for San Francisco four days be-
fore the China sailed from Manila, but the
latter vessel did not sight her at sea. The
Indiana was being prepared when the China
sailed for the purpose of bringing home a
number of sick and wounded men of the
American regiments.
dispatch was received at army head
quarters to-day ordering General King and
detachment now at Honolulu TO proceed to
Manila. The transport Arizona is due at
Manila next Saturday and will return to
Honolulu Immediately. A provision ship
will be sent from here to Honolulu to pro-
vide for the troops.
AGUINALDO AFTER MONEY.
Residents of Manila Think the Chief
Can Re R0urhf