The herald., 1898-12-20
CAN HARDLY CLAIM TO BE
CIVILIZED
BUSINESS IN THE ISLANDS
Shows No Improvement Since Ameri-
can Management of Affairs Began.
Spanish Opinion Varies
Associated Press Special Wire

the natives that they are highly civilized
race is not borne out by facts, according TO
Spanish refugees from the north, who have
just reached here.
They say that after the surrender of the
town of Aparr, the insurgents formed u
parade, the central feature of which was a
Spanish lieutenant, who was carried a.oag
the streets SUSPENDED from bamboo pole,
TO which his hanGs and feet were tied, Just
as hogs are carried by collies.
On arrival at the plaza, the procession
halted, the pole was placed upon two torked
Sticks and a squad OF rebels proceeded to
terrorize their helpless victim by shooting
as close to his head as was possible without
wounding him.
When the unfortunate man was uncon-
scious with terror, the procession moved on
again.
Another stcry is told of a Spanish officer
being confined in a cell, with his hands
tied behind his back, and compelled to eat
the food allotted to him, from the floor
of the cell, like dog. Not satisfied with
this, his captors are said to have hooked
a rope to his swollen wrists, and through Il
pulley overhead, hauled him off his ieet
until he tainted with agony.
Still another refugee states that because
he threw some papers which he did not
wish the rebels to have into a cesspool, the
natives, upon hearing of it, dropped I'm
into the hole and compelled him to recover
the papers. After this he was paraded
through the streets for hours.
The Spanish priests who were captured
Jared somewhat better, according to all re.
ports, for the rebels organized them into
an extempore brass band to head their pro-
cessions, and by dint of kicks and blows
compelled their captives to produce plenty
OF dscord, which highly amused the natives.
The natives Indignantly deny these al
legations, and their newspapers retahat" by
printing horrible stories OF the atrocities
practiced by the Spaniards before the sur
render of Manila one OF them even publish
ing the aftidavits of the victims. All sorts
of rumors are current here as to what the
Filipino republic is doing with reference
to the settlement of the Philippines ques-
ton, but the Filipino newspapers insist hat
nothing but absolute independence will be
accepted by the natives.
Senor Paterno, President Of the Filipino
Assembly, is said to have cabed long mes
sage to Madrid few days ago to the effect
that if Spain would guarantee autonomy
and other reform measures, the whole coun-
try would support Spanish rule in prefer
ence to any other form OF foreign nterven-
ton.
Aguinaldo's official organ, the Republic
Fihpina, announces that its Paris CORES
pondent, presumably Agoncllo, says that
the Philippine group has been ceded to the
United States, which will grant independ-
ence to the Filipinos, after time, which
is to be fixed by protocol, and WHICH will
not be less than six years, II the Fl!ipinos
show that they have a satisfactory faculty
of governing themselves"
Aguinaldo has seen tit to remove the en-
barge upon Americans, and has issued an
order granting the right to travel through
the territory at present held by the revolu-
tionary government to all foreigners, except
Spanards, so long as they are unarmed. No
one, however, may approach within 200
metres OF any forts or intrenchments, or
Any Spaniard who sets foot on Philippine
territory, if captured, will be adjudged
under military law.
The present unpleasant weather is having
its effect upon the health of the American
troops, hundreds of whom are suffering from
cramps and chills, occasoned by the damp
ness of their quarters and exposure. 1t
has rained almost continuously for four
days. and there is every indication OF a
rainy season is supposed to be over.
1t was currently reported that at least
twenty per cent of the American army Of
occupation is on the sick list which would
indicate an epidemic; but inquiry at the
brigade hospital proved this to be an exag
geration, for the total number of patients
there was $50, of whom eighteen were
smallpox and about 200 fever patients
An order has been issued compelling med
ical practitioners to report all cases of
smallpox under their notice to the author-
ties, in order that they may be promptly
removed to the pest house, owing to the
number of deaths which have occurred in
private houses throughout the city.
What, with the uncertainty as to the
future of the islands, and the state of affairs
existing outside of the limits of the city of
Manila, which are the boundpo American
jurisdiction, business in the Philippines is
in almost as bad condition today as it
was six months ago.
From May lst until the surrender of
Manila on August 18th, last the only means
OF communication between this city and the
other ports in the islands was entirely cut
Oft, since all coasting steamers were under
the Spanish flag and had to lie up during
the blockade. With the advent of the
American army it was hoped that trade
would be resumed almost Immediately but
in spite of the fact chat arrangements have
been made between the American and Span
ish authorities toward that end, the fact
remains that the inter-island trade which
IN time OF peace, amounted annually to over
five hundred million of dollars, has dwindled
down to less than one-fifth of its normal vol
umc. The largest importing firms have
enormous stocks, but cannot dispose of them
Tor the reason that communication inland is
blocked by the insurgents, and also because
buyers are holding off in the belief that the
proposed changes in the tariff will be to their
advantage. Exporters have nothing to cx-
port, because the hemp growing provinces
are up in arms against the Spaniards, and
p9th sugar and tobacco plantations are
IDLE, Tor the same cause. A few shipments
OF hemp, have been made, but the insurgents
collected heavy duties upon it in the south
crn provinces, and taxed the vessels car
Indeed, 1T is stated on reliable authority
that the rebels are imposing burdens on
commerce within the very walls of Manila.
For instance, a per capita tax is levied upon
every passenger who is foolish enough to
accedc to the demand upon the ferry across
the bay to Cavite. Then again, collectors
stand at the gates of all the big factories
on pay day and mulct the employees no.
cording to their salaries as they leave This
only affects the Filipinos, but it tends to
show that the rebels can and are doing
pretty much as they like in spite of the
authorities.
80 Tar as their troops are concerned thcv
are for the most part amenable to reason.
Some OF them who wers quartered in the
suburbs presumed to exercise their author
ity, but after Aguinaldo had summoned Pic
de Pilar .and one or two other turbulent
spirits to Malalos and kept them under his
immediate supervision, there was no fur
ther trouble.
They still surround the city, but at such
distance as no longer to be menace to the
peace or safety of the suburban residents of