The times., 1899-03-27
THE SPANISH As ALLIES.
Released Soldier. Take Up Arms 70
Aguinaldo.

AgufnaIdo.
The suspicion entertained by War De-
partment officials that the Spanish prison.
ers held by Aguinaldo had been released
on condition that they take up arms
against the Americans. and were now allied
with the native Filipino forces, was con-
firmed yesterday by dispatches received
from General Otis. Upon receipt of this
intelligence it was readily admitted that
this latest crafty move had been suspected
for week or more. and General Corbin
was very willing to discuss the subject
He intimated that the War Department was
now extricated from its puzzled specula
tion as to how Aguinaldo came TO be so
well armed, and was able 10 offer such
strong resistance, when in previous bat
ties il had been shown that he was very
weak both as to the quality of his fighters
and their arms.
There is now the further suspicion that
Aguinaldo has been supplied with fnan-
cial aid in the way of ransom money, Sc
cured through the efforts of Agoncillo and
the other members of the Filipino Junta
which fed from Washington at the begin
ming of hostilities and scattered itself
through Canada, England, France, and, it
is thought. Spain itself.
1t is believed to have been an intimation
of this that led General Otis to interrupt
negotiations for the ransom of Spanish
prisoners, for the reason that the funds
thus obtained might be used to advantage
by the rebe,E. Some ransom money may
have easily escaped the vigilance of the
put on his guard.
In the enumeration Of the Spanish forces
surrendered to General Otis at Manila,
many thousand troops were unaccounted
for. and these are now fighting with Agui-
naldo against the Americans. Il is this
condition Of things which renders it i'm
possible 10 accurately gauge the strength
of the enemy. or even the character of the
opposition TO be reckoned with 1t has
puzzled military authorities to find Agni-
naldo's followers fleeing like sheep at one
time and again fighting with a nerve and
fiereeness truly surprising and command
ing the admiration of army officers. This
is now explained in the. fact that Agui-
naido's strongest resistance has been made
with the released Spanish prisoners. who
are acknowledged to be far superior to
the natives as fighters; in fact, the Cas-
lillian has never been doubted as fighter
when put TO it under able command.
So it is that War Department officials
are now convinced that General Otis is
not only fighting the native rebels but
several thousand released Spanish prison.
ers
How long ago ii was that Aguinaldo re-
leased his prisoners is not known, but it
is believed that he decided upon this
course when it became apparent to him
that General Otis would speedily enter
upon sweeping campaign-one OF exter-
mination il necessary-and no more par
ley over the suppression OF the insurrec-
ton II this supposition is correct. the
Spanish prisoners were released about the
time NJ. Cambon. the French Ambassador.
made his protest to the State Department
on behalf of Spain against the order of
General Otis interrupting the ransom ne
gotiations. The arrangement, as under
stood here. was to pay 1000 pesetas for
officers. 500 for private soldiers, and $500
for civilians.
General Corbin admitted yesterday that
the War ONCE had been suspicious about
the Spanish prisoners for a long time, and
he regarded IL as probable that all prison.
ers held by Aguinaldo including priests
and civilians, had been released condition
ally. General Otis. he said. still insists
that the best possible estimate of Aguinal-
dos forces is 10000 men, but even though
the figures are anything like correct. an
enemy of a different character is now to
be dealt with