The record-union., 1898-08-11

than these, but in many of them q
sympathetic struggle took place and the
general excitement throughout the ISL
ands testified to the business OF the rls-
ing in the greater islands. Luzon Is now
the chief, as it was until last April al
most the only island carrying on the
struggle, and it was alone able to con-
tinue it. In Mindanao outbreaks oc-
Cured, but without effect. In Leyte
the insurrection died out after a severe
earthquake shock, the hangers-on OF the
Government having convinced the dis
contented that God was against them.
SUPERSTITION AS SPAIN'S ALLY
The natives, although having the
Mongolian instinct Of preservation,
are superstitious to such degree that
by a manipulation of their creduilty
they easily become possessed Of dread
and rely on their grants like slaves
In Luzon, where there are many native
proprietors of good intelligence and
grand courage, SuperStitiOnS is not SO
important an instrument of subjuga-
ton as in Leyte. The hatred of the
upper native classes for the Spaniards
makes them exclusive of all dark in
fluences, although during the visitation
of cholera in Manila during July OF
1897, the population (of Manila) were
impressed with the partiality of God
for the Spaniards, but Manila men come
too closely in contact with the Spanish
to escape their malign influence.
In Manila there were two classes of
insurgents at work throughout the in
surrection. One of these was composed
Of Spanish, Meztizoes and Chinese Free
Masons and the other Of Mussulman
Philippines. They did not work together
at all times and for this reason the
leaders of the revolt in Manila We're
unable to depend upon the Manila men
during the crisis of the trouble, When
Manila would have been taken ~ the
insurgents if assistance could have been
had from within the city. Under these
circumstances Spain adopted a cute
policy in permitting the Manila leaders
to flee to Hongkong and Singapore, Tor
these leaders were sure from disgust
to leave the country when chance Of
fered and would find it difficult to re-
turn when it was desirable to do so.
The Free Masons, as they are called,
of whom Aguinaldo is now leader, Went
to Hong<ong, while the Moslems, at
whose head were DR.. Zachias Pobleta,
DurZon, Duerze and Almuerca, went to
Singapore. Aguinaldo organized
Junta and DuerZe formed branch of
the International Moslem Union. Pob-
leta, who executed the plans of the
Tagal insurgents; Durzon who supplied
the funds, giving over a million dollars
to the cause, and DR.. Zachias, the de-
wiser Of plots, returned to Manila after
staying six months in Singapore, We're
arrested and sent to Ceuta, under SEN
tence of life imprisonment. Under the
Sagasta amnesty they were released.
Manila is the only portion of the island
where the Spaniard has held, until re-
Gently, undisturbed possession.
In the interior the insurrection will
continue for years and should retard
Spain from settling the country for gen
erations after she reconquers it, should
she have the chance to try her hand.
Thus, Spain's hope Of deriving from
Luzon money to prosecute her Cuban
war was vain, for she had crippled most
of her resources there. The collection
of taxes was as difficult in 1897 as it
was easy and pleasurable four years
before. The poor, having given all they
could spare to the church, could not
give to the State Beside they had
always been taught that church was
State In 1895 it cost but little over
half cent to collect a dollar, while in
1897 ii cost in LuZon an average of 30
cents. The only taxes that could be
prof1tably procured were those Of Ma
nila, and these showed slight increase
compared with former years. Leyte
and Mindanao contributed little, owing
to disasters by winds and quakes and
the insurrection, though confined. in
December, 1897, to the mountainous in
terror Of Luzon seemed strong enough
to continue until Spain should re-
linquish either Cuba or LuZon-
IGNORANT OF FIREARMS.
During my stay in the Philippines
last December, I was most of the time
in the region of hostilities; that Is, at
Iares, ninety-eight miles northeast Of
Manila The warfare actually existing
at that time was of schoolboy nature.
The natives, who were utterly ignorant
of the use of firearms when first sup
piled with them, committed much haWo
among themselves, and in many cases
discarded them With rude weapons
they did very well, for they were men
Of great personal courage. In hand-to-
hand conflicts the Spanish have been
outdone by them on all occasions. They
WELD a, knife of great length and
weight with great proficiency.
Many American companies were in
terested in mining in the Philippines
before this insurrection. AT the Tam
alpais mine, near Lares, Chicago
| company. Frazer & Chalmer, erected
a thirty stamp gold mill which has been
silent during the last three years, ow-
| ing to the rising. From the fact that
during the three months the mill
worked the ore yielded nearly 2 ounces
of gold per ton. the mine must be con-
| siGered valuable. Many rich mines
| will be discovered in the vicinity Of
Lares, and if peace could be estah-
| lished so that the country could be
penetrable to prospectors it is certain
this will be the scene Of great mining
excitement during the present decade.
American mining interests in the
Philippines are greater than they ever