Omaha daily bee., 1899-04-17
SCENES OF WARABOUT MANILA
City Becomes Accustomed to the
Constant Strife and the Havoc
Churches Used as Forts.

Correspondence of the Associated Press)
MANILA, March l9.-(Via San Francisco,
April 16.)-War has become so commonplace
an experience to Manila that the average
citizen no longer thinks of becoming eX-
cited over It. Every night some point OF
the horizon is crimsoned by the reflection
from buring huts, kinded by the soldiers
to deprive the insurgents of hiding places
Every nights quiet is shaken by the firing
from the line encompassing the city. Every
morning brings its pitiful little consign
ment OF uncomplaining wounded to the hos
pital Manila forms an American oasis in
the island OF Luzon Around the city
stretches a thin line fifteen miles long Of
entrenched soldiers
The Filipino goes into the field unencum-
bered with useless baggage. Following the
course of their retreat beyond Guadalupe
church went the souvenir enthusiasts who
hang about the American army. They
found nothing more than a few tin cook
ing utensils and empty cartridge shells,
whose pattern prove that the insurgents
have the latest style OF rifles. Trousers or
drawers, shirt worn outside them, a
straw hat, cartridge belt and rifle, sec
tion of bamboo stalk filled with rice, a
handful OF green peppers tied in hand
kerchief. sometimes sandals-these form the
equipment of Filipino soldier.
No finer country for defensive fighting
and no more embarrassing for offensive
operations than the land around Pasig lake
could be imagined. The Chinese are the
scavengers OF the war. Like vultures they
hover in the wake OF the army, hocking
down upon the ashes OF every hut and the
ruins of churches TO dig out stun that NO
white man could possibly use.
IL. -
the hostilities save gain, they are admitted
TO the camps and employed as servants.
Some OF them peddle water and cigarettes
on the line. One, more daring than most,
crept about the trenches of the Kansas reg-
ment under a hot fire and did good trade.
When competitors appeared he fastened to
point out to them the spot where a soldier
had been wounded, seemingly impressing on
them the dangers OF their position, for
they ran away,
The forces OF destruction are concen-
trated upon the churches. They are all
solid buildings OF stone, so the natives use
them as forts Some church has served as
the keystone of nearly every Filipino de-
fense and the American artillery is com
PEELED 10 batter them.
Caloocan church is a picture OF the havoc
of war There General Macarthur has hi'
headquarters. The roof a sky blue fresco
studded with gilt stars has jagged holes
where shells from Dewey's ships can't
through. Within the chancel rail is The
office OF the stan and the pulplts are useC
for desks, The rail holds a string OF sad
dies, telephone hangs beside the statue o
saint, while the telegraph clicks incess
antly In an alcoye. Cots and hammocks nj
the body OF the church, where soldiers arr
sprawled out smoking and reading when of
duty. hospital occupies a chapel in
corner, The soldiers do not lack reverence
but everything must bend before their work
General Otis has put a stop TO the plan
OF officers who wanted TO bring their wive
and families to Manila. He said
This is not a picnic. nor a Grand Arm
OF the Republic encampment This is war.