The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-06-16
AMERICAN PRISONERS
FED ON RICE WATER
More of the Horrors of the Present
Campaign in the
Philippines.

Special Cable to The Can and the New York
Herald Copyrighted, 1899, by James Cor
don Bennett.
MANILA, June 10 (by carrier pigeon
from Las Pinas).-Spanish prisoners
who fled into the American lines from
linus report that the enemy has re-
treated into the mountains
The rebels brought to linus the bodies
of 100 killed and 300 wounded as the re-
suit Of the recent fighting between Las
Pinas and BacOor.
The Spaniards further say that the
Filipino forces are demoralized and
without ammunition. and that many
rifles have been thrown into the river
The Mayor of linus delivered the
town up to General Lawton, saying
they desire peace and to b. friendly
With The Americans. He declares; that
peace would now exist were it not for
AguinaldO's cut-throat band.
CaVite NiejO is reported to have been
deserted by the enemy Thousands of
noncombatants are entering the Amer
lean lines The official report shows
that 121 bodies of insurgents have been
buried since the recent enga gements,
and the American soldiers are still
finding bodies
The contemplated reception to the
Americans at linus was spoiled by the
advent of an insurgent colonel, who is
said to have threatened to have the
populace killed if they did not leave
Few stayed in the town. The Four
teenth Infantry and one battery of ar
tillery are now garrisoning the place
The people are regaining confidence and
returning in spite Of threats.
Tons of concealed saltpeter and thou
sands of pounds of Anticipated artillery
ammunition and brown powder were
discovered in the powder house. Large
quantities had been thrown into the
river. The panic stricken insurgents
have given up several Of their best de
fensive positions in their wild flight
southwark. Cavite Niejo, Agninaldos
home. Noveleta and the entire region
where the FilpinOs once thrashed the
Spanish, have been deserted. after the
one battle at Zapote River.
The Americans captured from the
Relief are said to have been forced to
live on rice water and salt by order of
Baldemero Aguinaldo, brother Of the
dictator. They were under detention
as prisoners in linus for four days
IL
out food and Major General Otis has
ordered the distribution Of rice and beef
10 the inhabitants Many people still
refuse to credit the stories Of the as
sassination of General Luna bv the
guard at Aguinaldo's. headquarters.
though the reports to the effect are
most circumstantial and from good
sources. Rumors of assassinations and
disasters from the rebel camp are so
frequently printed in the local papers
S VIZ. 'ffS Ge4 come ne 10 De regaTdead
the Governor of Cebu has been killed
by natives because of his friendship to
Americans. A prominent commercial
man. with exceptional means of learn
ing of the Filipinos' movements. claims
TO know General Luna is still alive
adding that if he is dead. and if his
death occurred a month ago, people
would have expected a collapse of the
revolution 10 follow
The failure Of the Filipinos to follow
up the peace negotiations strengthens
the impression that their overtures
were merely to gain time and in order
TO lure the Americans TO show their
hands.
The Independence, a revolutionary
organ, of May 20, a copy of which has
just been obtained, prints an interview
with General Luna showing the argu-
ments he used to keep up the spirits of
his followers. He represents the Fill
pino cause as prospecting because the
Americans have gained only a hun
dredth part of Luzon by hard fighting.
and says the women and children till
ing the fields within the American lines
give the proceeds Of their work in sup
port of the Filipino army. He is said
TO have further remarked:
More Americans will be killed by
ambuscades, surprises and disease than
in battles. 1 detest war but We can
not accept peace at any price but in
dependence. The Americans suffered
for their own independence, and, in
their own hearts, they appreciate why
We aSiG