The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-07-24

ager of the Hong-Kong and Shanghai
Banking Corporation, has completed ar
fragments to place the money bags in
safety on board her Majesty's ships.
This shows the way the wind
blows. AT the Same time, the gov
erIlor, with Admiral Dewey's consent.
has removed eight river steamers from
thu Pasg to the anchorage of foreign men
ofwar, and when notice of bombardment
is given, two of them will be assigned to
the British, two to German and Swiss, one
to French, one to Belgian and the remainder
to Chinese residents. 1t is understood that
they will be used only if the bombardment
comes off. But this is extremely doubtful.
The insurgents are harassing the Spaniards
and are capturing quantities of guns and
ammunition. Aguinaldo has reported to Con-
sui General Wildman that the insurgents
hold the province of Cavite, with the excep-
ton of four towns, and that he has cap
tured the governor of Batangas. That off,
calls terror of the insurgents was so great
that he attempted suicide. Case of bad con-
science, probably. In one assault, four hum
dred men, including twenty-eight officers,
were taken prisoners.
The treatment of her soldiers by Spain is
a disgrace to humanity. A mere glance is
sufficient to know that they are poorly fed.
Indeed a handful of rice and some dried
fish, barely enough to sustain life, is all
they obtain as rations. 1t is no excuse that
prices have gone up, owing to the rigid
blockade maintained by the American fleet.
1t is, however, true that a small fish which,
in ordinary times, sold for A or cents
dozen is now worth so or go cents (Mexican)
a piece. Suspicious looking salt beef sells
at $175 a pound, and chickens that would
delight an economical clearinghouse keep
er are held at from 81 to 81 each. Spain does
not feed her defenders, and her corrupt ofti-
GERS must have their rake-off There is very
little martial spirit among the poor starve-
lings, but they are so grossly ignorant and
have been imbued with such dread OF US,
that they may fight from pure desperation
unless the army dwindles under the con-
tinuous assaults of the rebels.
THE FORTIFICATIONS.
1 have several times attempted to get a
look at the Notifications, but whenever
took a constitutional in that direction have
been politely invited to face about. The
officers may have been afraid that my adj
miration would be hysterical and produce
nervous attack; if so, their consideration
was misplaced. The defenses of the city
are not awe-inspiring. The old walls look
grim enough bristling with cannon ready
for USE But everybody tells me that they
are only brass culverins, at least 100 years
old, and hardly able to cope with the Amer
lean shell-spitting engines of war. 1t is
whispered that an engineer, upon being
placed in charge of the defenses and seeing
the material at his disposal, committed sui
eide as the quickest way out of his troubles.
This report has been proved true.
No: there will be no bombardment unless
a certain foreign power becomes aggressive.
With the puny means at his command, the
governor general has fortified the front OF
Manila, as if the Americans are not aware
that the city can be taken from the rear
But the chances are that the rebels will
have invested the city on the Landslide by
the time our troops arrive. When the Span
iards two weeks ago, attempted to GUST the
rebels from Bacoor, they claimed as usual
great victory, but the insurgents held
their position. 1t is even not improbable
that the Spaniards have been driven from
Las Pinas, a very important positicn: but
if they have not, they will be compelled to
withdraw for they cannot trust the volun-
teers, who are in sympathy with the rebels,
and are watching for the chance to turn
against their oppressors. Severe lighting is
now and has been going on to the north
and east Of Manila the rebels succeeding
in tearing up the railroad track seven kilo-
meters from Manila. If the insurgents cap
ture San Juan del Monte, Manila's fate is
sealed, since this will cut off all supplies
from the interior. 1t is, 1 fancy, more to
keep the soldiers busy than fol- any other
purpose that the meats have been deepened,
the walls overhauled, and all shrubbery and
trees likely to afford cover have been de-
stroyed.
The pre-eminently optimistic press Of Ma
Mia continues proclaiming Spanish vic
tories. In the fight at Bacoor, the Concrete
declared six were killed thirty were
wounded and six received Commissions. An
other correspondent who happened to be on
hand when the wounded were brought in
counted over 200, and it is known that one
colonel and two majors were among the
killed. Only twelve were left alive out of a
marine company of 800, and one of the most
loyal and bravest native regiments killed its
officers and joined the insurgents. If this is
a victory good round defeat might afford
some relief. But these people can't live with
out boasting, and upon my word, don't
believe there is a Spaniard living who
would not swear that mis- country is the
wisest, wealthiest and most powerful on
earth.
A REBEL PROCLAMATION.
copy Of two proclamations scattered
widely over the islands has come into my
possession. What effect they will have is
doubtful since in the interior the art of
reading and writing is a monopoly of the
parish priest. But they are worth preserv-
| ing, the first on account of it's
dignifed but scathing arraignment
and the second exposes our friend
Aguinaldo's velvet paw. The first was dis
patched when the American fleet was about
| to sail. Here is the translation:
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES Providence is about
| to place independence within our reach and
In a manner which the most free and indie
penlnent nation could scarcely hope.
me Americans, not from mercenary mo-
| yves, but FOR the sake of humanity and
| (hearing) the lamentations of so MANY per-
secuted people, have deemed it fit to extend
| their protecting mantle to our beloved coln-
try, since they have been obliged to sever
| this nation is exercising in Cuba, causing
enormous injury to the Americans who have
large commercial interests there
AT the present moment an American
| squadron is preparing to sail for the Philip
pines
I'VE. your brothers, are very much afraid
that you may be induced to fire on the
Americans. No, brothers. never make this
mistake! Rather blow your own brains out
than ire one shotsor treat as enemies those
who are your lberators
Your natural enemies, your executioners.
the authors of your misery and your I'M
happiness are the Spaniards who govern
you. Against them you must raise your
weapons and your odium. Understand we'll
against the Spaniards, and never against
the Americans