The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-02-13
A GUERILLA WAR.
Filipinos Have Now Adopted the
Bushwhacking Style of Fighting.

Manila, Feb. 70, 4:5O p. m.-Along the
entire line nothing has happened up to
this hour to disturb the peace of Sun
day. In Manila the inhabitants have
generally recovered from the alarm &C.
casioned by the fear of a native up
rising and are resuming their ordin-
airy business. The shipping interests
are naturally suffering, since there have
been no clearances for Philippine ports
for a week. but on the other hand for
eign shipping has increased, especially
from Hong Kong, every steamer bound
thither being crowded with tirnid ref
ugeeS.
Despite this quietude, however, many
are asking whether the problem is not
still far from solution. A week ago
those who took an optimistic view pre-
dicted that the terrible punishment just
administered to the rebels would settle
the Filipino independence. But this
prediction has not been fulfilled AS
matter of fact. the rebels are now scat
tered throughout the country bush
whacking, except at Malabon, where
they are gathering in force. Even there
their methods SAVIOR more of guerilla
than Of civilized warfare, every bush,
clump of trees and tree furnishing cover
for sharpshOoters.
Unfortunately, for miles around the
land is studded with bamboo jungle and
open spaces are few and far between.
This affords the natives, who fight bet
ter under cover, a distinct advantage.
Under such conditions it is remarka-
bic that the American casualties should
be so few. while the number of dead ma
tives found in the brush after every
skirmiSh testifies to the precision of
our fire. Last week there was not
single day without fighting. but the
Americans steadily advanced, carrying
everything before them.
It is now known that the Filipino loss
is fully $500 killed. with wounded vast
" in excess Of that number, and thous-
ands are held prisoners All this has
been achieved at the cost of sixty-five
Americans killed and 276 wounded.
There were twenty-five Americans
missing and unaccOunted for. No fewer
than ten of the native villages have
surrendered or been captured. Several
nave been destroyed because their
houses harbored men, frequently dis
guised in female attire, who shot from
windows and roofs at the Americans
MANY rifles and tons of ammunition
nave been seized. As might be ex-
pected, there has been Iooting in the
outskirts, but it has not been general
and has been done in direct violation of
orders.
The only incident that has broken the
quiet Of the day followed the arrival of
the German first class cruiser Kafserin
augusta When she saiuted Admiral
Dewey this afternoon a report spread
rapidly that the American warships
We're bombarding Malabon.
Today crowds have visited the scenes
OF last weeks fighting. All the roads
from the city were thronged with We
nicles. But beyond burned villages and
new mounds in the fields there was lit
tie to be seen. Inspection showed that
most of the enemy's dead had remained
at their posts to the last. as the bodies
were usually surrounded by empty cart
ridges, while in the trenches, wherever
there were no dead. there was little
and often no ammunition
Among the distinguished prisoners
captured in Manila since the outbreak
of hostilities are Capt. A c. EscamiIlo
Agutnaldo's private secretary: Capt E
r. Heraguth, Col. Martin De Los Reeves
and Senior Thomas del Rosario. a mem
per Of the so-called Filipino congress
In session at Malolos
other Filipino officers are also in Gus