The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-05-09
Conflict Between Rival Factions
of Insurgent Army
Narrowly AVerted by Entreat-
les of AguinaldO.
CLASH OF AUTHORITY.
Gen. Luna Orders Gen. Mas
cardO to Send Reinforcements.
MaScar6O'S Refusal the Cause
of the Trouble.

New York May "a dispatch to the
Journal and Advertiser from Manila
says:
Only the entreaties of Aguinaldo
averted last Tuesday a civil war be-
tween the forces of his two rival gen.
erals, Luna and Mascardo. They were
actually drawn up in battle array.
This and a positive confirmation of
the news that Luna has been danger
ously wounded in the shoulder in the
battle of ST. Tomas are the most i'm
portant items of intelligence brought
today by the army gunboats La Guna
de Bay and CaVadOnga, which returned
from a brisk expedition up the San Fer
nandO river
1t was Immediately before the battle
of ST. Tomas that the insurgents so
nearly arrived at the point of begin
ming to exterminate one another. Gen.
Luna when he saw that an engagement
with the American troops was newt
able sent back an aide post haste TO
Bacolor where Gen. MaScardo was, de-
manding reinforcements. Mascardo's S
reply was that he would take orders
from no one but Aguinaldo.
This defiance SO infuriated Luna that,
in spite of the impending conflict with
the common enemy he took l 500 of his
Soldiery and made a forced march to
BacOlOr intent on chaS StiSing his COM
rade in arms.
Mascardo was nothing 10th to fight it
out and ordered his command into line
of battle. Shouts of hatred and de-
fiance were heard on both sides. Out
side the opposing forces, the insurgent
camp was all confusion.
Aguinaldo, terrified by the situation,
ordered his chief of staff, Col. Argueles,
to make peace at all hazards The SOL
diers loaded their pieces and were
waiting for orders to begin the on
slaught when Argueles gallOped be-
tween the lines, frantically waving a
flag of truce. There was an angry con-
ference between him and the rival gen
erals. AguinaldO was drawn into it.
With all the intensity at his command,
plunge the Philippine forces into civil
strife, at a time when they were al
ready broken up and demoralized by
successive defeats at the hands of the
Americans.
His entreaties prevailed for the time
being. Luna soon returned to the front
after the commanding general had
promised him reinfOrcements, and or
dered MaScardo to be courtmartialed
for not having sent them at first. The
battle of ST. Tomas followed and Luna
on whose ferocity in the field Aguinaldo
placed his chief reliance received
wounds that will disable him for the
rest of the campaign and may cause his
death.
MAJOR DIGGLEs WOUNDED.
Manila. May "a accommodating
party from Major General Lawton's
command and which consisted of two
companies of the Minnesota regiment
and. two companies of the Oregon regi-
ment under command OF Gen DiggIes
of the Minnesota regiment advanced
yesterday to a point near San Miguel
which is about u miles north of
Balinag. There the Americans were
met with a vOlley from a force of rebels
behind trench. Major DiggIes was
wounded.
CHARLESTON'S SECRET MISSION.
Washington, May 9.-The cruiser
Charleston sailed yesterday from Hong
Kong for Aparri a port on the extreme
northern coast of the island of Luzon
The purpose of the visit to this place
is not explained in the ca blegram from
Hong Kong.