The record-union., 1898-12-20

is blocked by the insurgents, and also
because the buyers are holding off, in
the belief that the proposed changes in
the tariff will be to their advantage
Exporters have nothing to export,
because the hemp growing provinces
are up in arms against the Spaniards
and both sugar and tobacco plantations
are idle for the same cause. A few
shipments Of hemp have been made,
but the insurgents collected heavy du-
ties upon it in the southern provinces,
and taxed the vessels carrying it ton
mage dues in addition thereto.
Indeed, it is stated on reliable author
ity that the rebels are imposing bur-
dens on commerce within the very
walls of Manila. For instance, a per
capita tax is levied upon every passen-
ger who is foolish enough to accede
to the demand upon the ferry across
the bay to Cavite. Their collectors
stand at the gates of all the big facto-
ries on pay day and mulct the employees
according 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.
So far as their troops are concerned.
they are for the most part arnena Bile
to reason. Some of them who were
quartered in the suburbs presume to
exercise their authority, but after
Aguinaldo had summoned Pho de Pillar
and one or two other turbulent spirits
to MalO Los, and kept them under his
Immediate supervision, there was no
further trouble. They still surround
the city, but at such distance as to no
longer be a menace to the peace or
safety of the suburban residents of
Manila.
The 'Voz Espanola," rabid anti
American paper, has been suppressed
by the authorities, and it's editor ar
rested for printing libelous articles. The
"Ardi d'Manila," which was founded
in lS49, has suspended publication; and
two others, the "Oceania Espana' and
the "Commercio," are daily expected
to follow suit.
On the other hand, half a dozen Fill
pino papers are in circulation here. and
any number Of American publications.
The Manila Times" an evening daily.
was the first to come into the field. its
first issue being on the 18th inst. Two
days later the american" a morn
ing paper which claims to have the
only Associated Press correspondent in
the East, appeared. Then came Free
DOM" a bi-weekly; Uncle Sam and
several more weeklies, all of which ap-
pear to be doing fairly we'll
FIGHTING NIGHTLY AT IIbII,O
MANILA, Dec. 19.-The Spanish
steamer Brutus has arrived here from
Iloilo with $40 native soldiers and seven
priests on board. She reports that
lighting occurred at Iloilo nightly. and
that the merchants there are anxious
ly awaiting the arrival Of Americans to
relieve the situation
The streets of Iloilo are almost de-
serted. The Spanish officers admit
that it is impossible for them to main
tain their position at Iloilo, unless they
are speedily reinforced. They are sur
rounded by superior forces of insur-
gents, who are estimated to number
2o,C00 men. Against them the Span
iards have only $500 rifles.
The authorities here have allowed 127
soldiers from the steamer Union to
land, on proving residence upon the ISL
and of Luzon. The landing of others
from the same steamer is still undecid-
ed upon.
The United States transport Ohio has
sailed for Nagasaki, Japan.
The body of Frank NJ. Kruz, who was
drowned in the river, has been recov-
cred and buried at Paco Sergeant
Carleton is dead.