Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1899-03-22
Miseellaueous &saaimg.
CONDITIONS AT MANILA.
The Associated Press Tells an Interesting
Story,

The Associated Press Tells an Interesting
Story.
The following general view of the
Manila situation was published in the
daily papers of last Saturday. 1t
comes through the Associated Press
and is claimed by that organization to
be the truth, not modified by censor
ship:
The most remarkable feature of the
situation is the inability of the Ameri-
cans and residents to estimate the
number, resources and plans of the
Filipinos. Prominent generals think
that two or three battles will break
their spirit and make them sue for
terms. A majority of English and
other residents are of the opinion that
the determination of the Tagalos is the
only guarantee of peace; that they
can easily be whipped if they give
battle, but they will dodge a meeting
with the Americans in force.
Some people think they will risk
battles at Malabon and Parauaque,
where they are strongly entrenched,
and that if they are defeated they will
resume bushwhacking as long as any of
them are left.
United States Consul Williams says:
81 don't expect to live to see the end of
the war"
The rebels shift about so much that
it is impossible to estimate their mum.
bers. The correspondent questioned
several generals as to the number of
the rebels and the replies ranged from
10000 10 100000. The estimate of
the quantity of arms possessed by the
rebels are equally uncertain. The
best authorities say 10000. Large
sections of the armed natives are ig-
norant of the use of their weapons.
The country beyond the American
lines is rice fields, cane and rush. The
rebels are familiar with every inch of
it, and it affords fine hiding places.
The residents say the Tagalos are
unanimously rebels, and they predict
the Americans will be resisted in the
islands of Mindoro and Mindanao and
that they will be obliged to subdue
them.
The extent of the support which the
other Luzon tribes are giving Aguin-
aldo is mystery. It's known that sew
eral regiment were under arms before
the outbreak, but the majority of them
are supposed to be jealous of the Tag
alos, who are reported to be treating
the other tribes in the fashion of the
Spaniards, dominating the island and
holding all the Offices.
Reports from the rebels are to the
effect that the recent tactics of the
Americans in retiring to their estab-
lished lines after pursuing, makes the
rebels think they are winning victories.
The Oriental character is so decep-
tive that the residents of Manila are
ignorant as to whether their own SER
wants sympathize with the rebels or
not. 1t is known that a rebel organi-
zation exists in the city, and the evil
dence is growing that there was wide-
spread plot to assassinate the Amer
leans, the signal being the commence
ment of hostilities. The servants we're
instructed to kill their employers; but
they were terrorized by the vengeance
dealt out to offenders, and they weak
ened. Every Tagalo would have cut
his employers throat if he dared-or
at least this is current saying.
The faithlessness of the natives is IL
lustrated by the action of the commits
sioners who came here to offer the al
legiance of the island to Negros. 1t is
now known that they were in friendly
communication with Aguinaldo while
here.
The rebels have been re-supplied
with ammunition and are using smoke
less powder.
Nearly every house here displays a
foreign flag for protection, whether it
is entitled to it or not. All flags ex-
cept the Spanish flag are seen. From
the native huts hang white towels or
shirts.
The natives working in the fields
plant a white flag on a bamboo as a
protection against being mistaken for
active rebels.
Every hut between the city and the
American line is heap of ashes.
The residents are the chief sufferers
from the present state of affairs. Food
com modities have doubled and trebled
in prices, and many lines of business
are at standstill.
After 7 o'clock in the evening
death-like silence prevails in the city,
except for the footsteps of the sentries
or their challenges as an occasional
civilian is halted. Each sentry calls
upon the passing civilians to explain
their business.
The shutters are all closed, for fear
of shootings occurring in the streets
the theatres, restaurants and stores are
all closed. Uniformed Spanish officers
the in public places sneeringly say: "It
would be different if we were in con-
troll"
AS an instance of the nervous tension
prevailing, it is cited that when the
sunset gun was fired on Sunday,
whole regiment encamped at the
Luneta jumped for its arms as if at
word of command.
About 300 new saloons have been
opened here since the American occu-
patton, with the result that many
drunken soldiers are to be seen on the
streets. The officers, however, say the
conduct of the soldiers is better than
those of other nations under similar