Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1899-04-21
ARE IN REBEL HANDS.
Filipinos Capture Several Of the
Crew Of the Yorktown.
NOTHING is KNOWN OF THEIR FATE.

Ambushed While Undertaking to Re-
lievc Spanish Prisoners-Anxicty
in Washington MS to How Aguin-
aldo VIII Treat Them.
! Washington, April 19.-The navy de-
partment has given out the following
dispatch from Admiral Dewey:
Manila. April 1S.-Secretary of the Navy,
Washington: yorktown visited Balem, I4u-
Eon east coast of Luzon, P. l., April u,
for the purpose of rescuing and bringing
away the Spanish forces consisting of 50
soldiers, three officers and two priests,
which were surrounded by 400 insurgents.
Some of the insurgents armed with Mauser
rifles. by natives. Lieut.. j. G. Gill
more, while making ambushed
were fired upon and captured. Fate UNI
known, as insurgents refused to commu-
nicate afterward, The following are miss
ing:
The officer previously referred to, Chief
Quartermaster w. Walton, Coxswain J..
Ellsworth, Gunner's Mate H. j. Hygard.
Sailmaker's Mate Vendgit, Seamen w. H.
Rynders, and c. w. Woodbury., Appren-
tees D. w A. Venville, A. ]. Peterson, Or
binary Seamen F. Brisolese, o. B. AIcDon-
aid. Landsmen L. T. Edwards, F. Anderson,
q. Dillon and c. A. Morissey.
"lsigned) DEWEY"
The denote portions of the
dispatch which could not be deciphered.
First Naval Reverse.
The capture of the Yorktown's men
was discussed with much feeling in
naval circles. The misfortune was felt
with added keenness, as the navy has
prided itself thus far on immunity from
reverses. The admirals dispatch of
Tuesday was the first knowledge the de-
partment had that the Yorktown had
gone on this special mission to relieve
the Spanish garrison at Baler. That the
capture should have been effected while
the American forces were on mission
of mercy towards the Spaniards, rather
than in the prosecution of campaign,
led to the belief that Spain would have
no further ground for questioning the
good faith with which the Americans
were seeking to relieve the condition of
the Spanish prisoners.
Great Anxiety.
Although the dispatch gave no indi-
cation that Lieut.. Gilmore and his men
had lost their lives, yet great anxiety
was aroused by the mystery surround
ing their fate while in the hands of an
uncivilized enemy. This is the first cap
ture of any Americans, military or
naval, so that it is unknown how the
insurgents will treat our men. If civil
lied methods were pursued an exchange
could be quickly effected, as Gen. Otis
has a large number of Filipino pris-
oners, but the insurgents have been
averse thus far to exchanging Spanish
prisoners, and this raises question as
to what they will do with the York
towns men. The purpose of the Off
Gals here is to spare no effort to secure
the speedy release of our men.
Praises American Troops.
Washington, April 19.-Maj. Charles
Mcclure arrived in Washington Tues
day to assume duties in the Office of
the judge advocate he has been as
signed. He was in Manila from August
until March 10, when he returned to
this country. He says that the coun-
try through which Gen. McArthur's di-
vision has been operating is the very
best in Luzon and highly productive.
Cavite is also very good province.
Maj. Mcclure speaks in the highest
terms of the fighting qualities of the
American troops and says that the re-
ports about the anxiety of the men to
get out on the fighting line are true.
There might have been some discomfort
about garrison duty, but when the firing
began the troops seemed very well sat
isfed, especially if they could get into
the midst of it.
FilipinOs Good Fighters.
He says that the Filipinos are not to
be sneered at as fighters. They put up
a very good resistance. They are armed
with Mausers and Remingtons, and
when forced back and obliged to run
swing the guns over their shoulders and
load and fire as they retreat, sometimes
hitting man in this way. They are i'm
itative, and when they saw the effect of
volley firing adopted it and with effect.
They also initiated the bugle calls of
the Americans. Being very good mu-
slcians, they picked up the calls quickly.
Are Anxious For Peace.
Manila, April ia number of prom
inent and wealthy Filipinos are organ
izing committee to take steps to
bring about if possible an understand
Ing between the rebels and the Ameri-
cans. One branch of this committee
Intends to ask the United States Phil
ippine commission to make statement
as to what terms will be offered the
rebels if the latter will surrender.
Another branch of the committee will
approach Aguinaldo with the terms and
will endeavor to persuade him to accept
them. 1t is considered doubtful, how
ever, If any members of the committee
will dare to personally confer with the
rebel leader.
The committee includes several per-
sons recently condemned to death by
Aguinaldo for petitioning him to cease
fighting.
To Settle War Claims.
Maj. Gen. Otis has appointed board,
headed by Col. Crowder, to deal with
war claims. Many such claims have
been filed, aggregating millions of dol
lars, particularly as result of the
Iloilo fire. Maj. Gen. Otis, who has
hitherto handled these claims, is I'M
able to devote any of his time to them
now.
Gen. Lawton has ordered Col. Whal-
ley, of the Washington regiment, who
is lieutenant in the regular army, to
command Gen. Kings brigade during
the latter's illness.
Too Late to Draw Back.