The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-01-22
IT WAS ALMOST A CLASH
Fight Between Filipinos and Mon
tana Troops Narrowly Averted.
THE SITUATION is CRITICAL
Hostilities Liable to Be Precipltated by
irresponsible Filipinos- They Allege
That American Troops Are
Demoralized

Manila, Jan. 13, via Hong Kong, Jan
21.-The Americans and Filipinos were
probably nearer a conflict this after
patton. Fortunately the matter was
amicably settled. A Filipino lieutenant,
imagining that his men had been in
suited by some American troops,
marched a company of 40 armed natives
to the line of the Americans and the
sentries, four in number, back of the
Montana regiment, in obedience to Or
ders, We're compelled to retire to the
outpost in order to avoid trouble. AS
the Filipinois disobeyed the command
to halt, deployed in the canebrake and
assumed a determined, threatening at
titude, Lieutenant Jansen, who was in
command Of the post, telegraphed to
brigade headquarters, and General Otis
personally investigated the matter. The
Filipino captain was summoned and he
suit of the conference he admitted that
the Filipino lieutenant had exceeded
his authority. His men were drawn
up III HLe, Sdluleu, CouIleSltS were eA-
changed and the F'ilipinos retired The
incident is significant, as it shows the
tendency Of the Filipinos to disregard
pickets, knowing that the Americans
are not willing to begin hostilities, and
it also demonstrates the danger of ire
sponsible junior officers of he Filipino
army precipitating trouble at any mo-
ment
Another proclamation, purporting to
1r,s 4 H.
wv. T., appeared on Friday and ap-
pealed in broken English to brother
Americans and comrades to let the
Filipinos alone and that 'if their Off
GERS compelled them to fire, to please
fire in the air."
The proclama ton also appealed to
Americans to disregard Filipinos who
pretend to favor annexation" and al
legged that the American agitation to
hold the island is fostered by a few Off
GERS who are making money thereby
The proclamation concluded with
paraphrasing the Monroe doctrine. in
the words, ''the Philippines for the Fill
pinos." As zs
A native dentist here named Arevolo
has been arrested He denies the all-
thorship of the document, but admits
connection with it. Other arrests are
probable. He has been twice imprisoned
IL.
formerly an aide of Aguinaldo and the
arrest caused CONSERVATION among the
Fi1ipinos.
The native paper, Independence,
which is now published at Malolos. was
unusually vindictive to-day. Comment
ing upon the situation, it said: The
Americans are trying all the time to
excite the Filipinos to commence hos
tilities, in the meantime tricking the ma
tives for the purpose of gaining time
necessary for bringing out reinforce
ments.'
The paper adds: 1.-THE proclamation
which was suppressed and for which
Arevolo was arrested appears to hit the
nail on the head. The Filipinos need
fear nothing The American soldiers
are completely demoralized. They are
unwilling to fight a free people who are
only demanding their rights
The idea Of possible deception is prob
ably more general than the authorities
know. A Filipino officer said to the
correspondent that it was ridiculous for
the Americans to think that the Fill
pinos believe they are bringing more
troops and warships here to establish a
protectorate over country for whicn
$20,000,000 has been paid. The Malolos
paper says the government is inf1exible
and Aguinaldo's determined attitude
seems to have temporarily welded all
factions together