Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1899-03-02
The TORCH IS USED.
Immense Damage Done by lncen-
diary Fires at Manila.
HUNDREDS OF HOUSES DESTROYED.

The Authorities at Washington Decide 70
Push the Campaign Ia the Philippine
Proclamation by AguinaIdo-Our
Flag Hoiated Over Negros.
Manila, Feb. %. Immense damage
has been done BY fires which are be-.
lieved to have been started by insur-
gents last night The fire department
has experienced great difficulty in
fighting the flames, owing to defective
apparatus. 1t is reported that the ma
tives have damaged the apparatus.
There was some fighting in the streets
during the night, but the Americans
quickly quelled the uprising. A num-
Der Of the insurgents was killed and
several American soldiers we're wound.
ed. A large market place was among
the first to burn. Between 600 and 700
residences and business houses have
been destroyed. Fires started at
several points simultaneously and,
spreading with great rapiditv.'
resisted all efforts to control
them. Hundreds of homeless natives
are huddled in the streets, making
patrol duty Of the Americans very
difficult. The night was one of terror
to thousands Of the inhabitants Of
Manila, the rebels making good their
oft-repeated threats to the extent OF
burning acres of buildings, wounding
all officer and three men by firing
through windows during the excite
ment With daylight, punitive meas
ures were decided upon and the Amer.
leans, although tired after their sleep
less nights work, soon cleared the
district Of every native after u slight
resistance.
WILL PUSH THE CAMPAIGN.
Washington, Feb. 90. The authori-
ties here are giving close atte ntion to
the daily developments in the military
situation in the Philippines and have
decided to push the campaign against
the rebellious followers of Aguinaldo
with energy Every casualty report
that comes from Gen. OTIS notes the
wounding or killing of some of the
American troops by what are prac-
tically sharpshooters on the other
side. The insurgents apparently have
learned that they cannot hope to cope
with American troops on anything like
even terms in regular set battle and
from now on they are expected to rely
upon the harassing tactics they have
practced for the past ten days.
The main body of the insurgents has
now fallen back well out of the line of
effective range of the gunboats, but as
the American troops have been obliged
to extend their lines in order to pro.
tect the waterworks and to take ad.
vantage of the natural Typographical
defenses of Manila, the troops are ex-
posed to the fire of these guerriIlas
without an opportunity to retaliate,
for the enemy fees before an advance
in force.
This was, after all, about what was
expected by the war department
officials and that was why, in sending
endorsements to Gen Otis, they
made it point TO send as many as
possible of the regular troops, who
had been used to Indian fighting in
the bad lands of the west. Gen. Law
ION, who goes out to take command of
,hese troops, is an old Indian fighter,
and soon after the troops arrive,
within two or three weeks, forward
will begin and II heavy blow
De struck that will keep the insurgents
luiet during the rainy season, if it
ioes not bring aoout their immediate
1t is felt to be necessary
% do this in order to avoid the hard.
ships to which the American troops
would be exposed during these tor.
'ential rains, which will make life in
outside intrenchments almost imposs-
Bile for civilized troops
MANIFESTO BY AGUINALDo.
Hong Kong, Feb. &-Aguinaldo
has issued a manifesto accepting the
situation caused by the unexpected
Of the Americans" while
amcnting the hostilities which he
,ays he tried to avoid by every means
n his power, making humiliating con
'essons and tolerating insultsand out.
ages Of the army of occupation against
he people Of Manila He adds that
ic is prepared to sacrifice everything
% maintain the integrity of the ma
jional honor calls on all "to witness
he good faith and honesty" of his in
entions and complains that he has
)ecn treated as rebel because de-
ended the national interests instead
If becoming the tool of the American
,reposterous pretensions.' The rebel
eader further alleges that the country
s unanimous In his support, that the
people "wi,l perish rather than accept
he odiops American dominion" and
tnat even the corrupt span.
Ssh dominion is preferable
OUR FLAG n0lsTED OVER NEGROs.
Manila Feb %, While the guns on
The city walls and those on board the
ships of Admiral Dewey's fleet in the
bay fired salute on the anniversary
If Washington's birthday, four com.
nissioners from the island of Negros