The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-02-16
Implacable Spirit Exhibited BY the
Filipino Insurgents.
INDEPENDENCE OR DEATH
AGUINALDO. ISSUES A SPREAD
EAGLE MANIFESTO.
Did Not Return For the Purpose of
Aiding Americans, But to Gain
Independence For the Islands
General Otis Pacific Proclamation
Acts Preceding Hostilities.

San Francisco. Feb. 15.-Adyices
from Manila dated Jan. u say: A
more difficult problem than that with
which the governor general of the Phil
! ippines is confronted at the present
moment it would be difficult to imagine
for unless the Philippines recede from
their position, the situation in nut
shell, amounts to this: The Americans
must either fight and subdue the rebels
or withdraw from the archipelago.
As a matter of fact, the Philippines
have been and are being recognized
officially all the time, because in order
to avoid unnecessary bloodshed, the
American authorities have been COM
pellel to treat with them. A striking
illustration of this point occurred on
Dec. q last, when the two forces were
probably nearer to q. conflict than at
any other period since the occupation
of Manila. Up TO that date the sentries
of the two forces had guarded opposite
ends OF the Pace bridge, a stone struc-
ture across q ten-foot creek on the
outskirts of the city, but in accord
ance With instructions, the American
officer of the daY essayed to post his
sentry in the center Of the bridge. The
Filipino guard objected, however, and
when protest was made, informed the
Americans that at o'clock next morn
ing they would fire upon the American
line unless the sentry was withdraw.
At the appointed hour Major General
Anderson and some 1000 men were on
hand, hut after a conference, the Fill
pinoS We're recognized to the extent
that the sentry was withdrawn from
his former position and the American
troops marched back to their quarters
without having had a chance to fire a
single shot.
The issuance of General Otis procla-
nation regarding the intention of the
Americans in the Philippines gave Ag-
uinaldo the opportunity he desired, and
less than twelve hours after the former
was published, the Filipino response
was posted upon the walls of this city.
Its effect was instantaneous upon the
natives generally, and their attitude
was such that it was deemed advisable
to keep the entire army of occupation
in quarters and under arms, in order
that it might be ready if an emergency
arose.
AMERICAN DISCIPLINE.
Two trivial incidents which occurred
simultaneously in different parts of the
city occasioned a false alarm at 2:3O
O'Clock on Wednesday afternoon, and
the entire corps was called Ito arms
Within fifteen minutes after the echoes
of the bugles had died away, the whole
of the city was under arms, every com
pany of every regiment being in its al
lotted position ready for action. While
this created somewhat of a sensation
temporarily, the promptitude with
which the troops responded. 10 the call
had the effect of restoring confidence.
Meanwhile the insurgents have con-
centrated their forces on the outskirts
of the city and are strengthening their
position every day. Orders have, how
ever, been issued that they shall act
only on the defensive, which indicates
a. disposition to avoid trouble if posi-
BILE. An accident may. however, pre-
cipitate a conflict at any moment.
OTIS PROCLAMATION.
In his proclamation to the Philippines
issued on Jan. t, Major General Otis
saws:
In the war against Spain the United
States forces came here TO destroy the
power of that nation and to give the
OF peace and individual free
dom to the Philippine people; We are
here as friends of the Filipinos, to pro-
tect them in their homes, their employ
ments, their individual and religious
liberty; that all persons who, either by
active aid or honest endeavor, cooper
ate with the government OF tne united
States to give effect 70 these beneficent
purposes will receive the reward of it's
support and protection.
THE president of the United States
has assumed that the municipal laws
Of the country in respect to private
rights and property and the repression
Of crime are to be considered as cOntin-
ling in force, in so far as they may be
applicable to a free people, presided |
over by representatives of the people |
and those in thorough sympathy with |
them in their desires for good govern |
nent; that the functions and duties
with civil and municipal adj
are to be performed by |
such officers as wish to accept the as
;istanCA Of the United States, chosen |
n so far as it may be practicable. |
rom the inhabitants of the islands; /
hat while the management of public |
and revenues and the use of |
LII public means of transportation are |
% be conducted under the military au-
horitieS until such authorities can be
'eplaced by civil administration, all I
private property, whether of individ-
lals or corporations, must be respected