The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-06-07
INsURGENT VICTORIES.
Are Closing in on Manila Under Protec-
tion of Petrol.

Manila. May 20. via Hong Kong, June
6.-Many natives will try to secure the
largo reward the government has offered
for the capture of the insurgent chief
Aguinaldo, dead or alive. Already several
of the insurgent officers have been as.
sassinated.
1t is officially declared that four armored
cruisers, with colliers, torpedo boats and
transports carrying 10000 troops have left
Spain for eastern waters. The Spaniards
are utterly unimpressed by the naval de-
feat here. They explain that their SQUAD
ron WAS vastly quito classed and are conf
dent of victory on shore.
The insurgents raided u railway station
ten miles to the north of Manila and
killed three priests and an officer. There
has also been o pitched battle at
Spanish post south of Manila near Cayite,
the result being that the insurgents re-
tired. The Spanish casualties were 150.
At Manila, the work of constructing
defences goes on. The Americans are al
ways using their searchlights. but they
never interfere with the work on the de-
lC1is6o. u0 D6lloV0 C0AG fnGV
are short of ammunition.
The governor has issued proclamation
offering the natives great concessions and
declaring that the Americans will be
powerless on the land.
Meanwhile the Insurgents are steadily
advancing along the coast supported by
the United States gnnboat Petrel. and
are driving the Spaniards into Manila.
They have captured five important
positions nine miles from the city and
over four hundred Spaniards have been
killed. -Four thousand Spanish reinforce
nents have been sent; but it is asserted
that Aguinaldo will enter the city by
June ]. A commandment will be avoided
| If possible.
The foreigners have held public meet
! ing and two steamers are ready at
moments notice to take them to the pro-
tection OF their own warships or the
Americans.
10 the southwark there has been fierce
lighting on the Zapote river between
Baccoor and Las Pinas. The biggest
pattle OF the present campaign was fought
last Tuesday, May 81. The Insurgents at
tacked on the left branch of the Aapte,
Waded across amid typhoon, stormed
tne banks for several miles along ana
carried the Spanish trenches with knlves
Yesterday, June /, they tried the right
nranch OF the Zapote, but tailed. HHrihe
Spaniards employed artillery ali day ou5
no casualties are reported s;r, rodsg isgss ehere
have been only Ineffective sklrlnisnes.
The country is densely wooded and
swampy. Both parties shoot aimlessly. ]
got in the middle of the firing but nobody
was hurt Nothing was visible in the
tremendous fusilade and believe nobody
tna1v wIat he was shooting at. Both
siues wers "duffers.'' The insurgents.
however, are excellent in melee. The
spanisrds say they were victorious yester-
dav mt That they cannot follow up the
Tict,rv y and annihilate the rebels because
Of the American warships at Cavite.
Moreoyer. they say, it is necessary to save
the energies for the American troops.
Me .nwhile the vicinity of Manila is an
I'm nenetrable network of ambuscades.
A native regiment under Col Auginal
do. cou ,in of the insurgent leader yester-
day joined tho insurgents. The governor
has issued despairing proclamation,
begging the insurgents to come to terms