The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-05-12
FIRST CAPTURE or MANILA.
II Required an English Fleet of
Thirteen Vessels.

II Required IN English Fleet of
Thirteen Vessels.
Brooklyn Eagle.
The capture of Manila would not mean
that possession of the Philippines had been
secured. The islands are numerous, scat
tered over large area and because of the
savage character of>a large portion of
their population would have to be visited
in force by our soldiers before possession
could he acquired In 1862. British squad
ron composed of Admiral Cornish, entered
the bay of Manila and demanded the sur
render of the citadel, The request was re-
fused. Manila was bombardcd.
The city was defended at first by 60
men and eighty pieces OF artillery. The
British forces consisted OF 1900 Europ an
troops zone regiment OF infantry ana two
companies OF arulery), 5000 seamen, SO
Sepoy tusiieers and l4OO Sepoy prisoners,
making total OF $3.50 men. so thousand
iampangOs finally came to the assistance
of the spanish soldiery. Zunca, Spanish
historian says the British spent 10000
cannon balls and 5000 shells in the BON
bardment OF the city. Finally n landing
VAS eneoteu by the British and the city
was captured. The Spanish historian says
when the British general reviewed
troops after his iag mad been hosted over
tort Santiago 1900 men were missing. IN
ciuding sixteen Officers. Among the mum
her were major, fatally wounded by an
arrow and vice admiral, drowned WINE
coming ashore in boat.
In the capitulation the whole OF the
archipelago was surrendered to the BRUSH.
yet a Spanish magistrate declined to sur
render, issued to the Islanders an appeal
to arms and proclaimed himself governor
general His countrymen recognized him
as a leader and he established his h nj
quarters at Bacoor in the province OF
Pampanga, not far from Manila II was
found necessary TO send troops against nm
Anda was defeated. but soon at,ef li3u-
tenant General Bustos, with a large force
of natives and Spaniards encampei at
Malnta about five miles from Manila. ifo
was attacked by the British forces aud de-
Tended his position successfully. FOREMAN
says:
THE British in fact, we're much molest-
cd by Bustos' Malinta troops, who force
the invaders to withdraw to Manila and
reduce the extension of their outposs
There were incessan. conflicts between
the British and the islanders from i762 u
the 2Sd Of July, 1868 when British
frigate brought news from Europe of an
armistcc Some weeks later the Britlshers
evacuated Manila and sailed for home
They were unable to subdue the Philippine
islanders.
have presented the foregoing histor
ical facts that my readers mgy the moro
thoroughly appreciate the magnitude OF
Commodore Deweys achievements in Ma
Mia bay, and the difficulties which SIN
lie in the way of any effort on MS part to
secure possession Of the whole archipelago
The British In l7G2, with GS30 goldiers an |
sailors, and thirteen ships found 1t In
possible TO subdue the Philippines and T.
will be exnectlng entirely too mach o. the
yGliant Dewey with but a small force q
sailors ard marines n do whit the Il &
lish failed to accomplish with much
larger force. He Is certainly IN need o.
heavy reinforcements In the s ape OF sol
diers. If tho Philippines arc to be sel2e I.
II Is true that the Insurgents are marching
aEainst tho Spanish forces. but IS quite
liFoiY that the cowEnodorc VIII find ~
nccess7ry to place the hand OF restraint on
the Infatuated and savage islanders VIC
are th'rsting FOR revenge on their oppres-
sors For II tie spaniarJs are 'cft TO the
mercy ~ the insurgents there may be a
story OF bioodshod and atro-ity that viii
shock the civilized world
Strong arguments are offered IN behalf
of the proposition to acquire the Phtln-
pines II Is one thing. however 10 say W.
rust have the Philippine islonds' II ls an-
otNer thing 10 get Thorn The insurgents
are friendly 10 Americans today when they
believe this Melton s adlns them 10 ee-
rure freedom. Tomorrow. when they hnl
we want the islands for ourselves these
Sara insurgents may b. In arms agairst
"a IN such an event there would be eleven
large islands TO subdua and hundreds NJ
smaller islands peo-lof by Moslene.
Chinese MqIays and ha'f-hreads IN aa7l
with. proteciorsie mi-ht ha accspt'f.
but IL Is speculative that the islanders