New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-12-03

did formerly The probability Of night upris-
ing in the city Of Manila revolves simply on the
question as to whether the Filipinos nere are
loyal to the United States Government. IL there
are many who are not, It is possible that they
may be on the outlook for an opportunity 10
institute a general massacre, but 1t is dououui
IL this opportunity ever presents itself. MAMMA
is we'll garrIsoned and we'll guarded; the cur
few law is rigidly enforced. 1t would take
more insurgents. more arms and ammunition ana
more sand" than IN the opinion OF most
people can be called into requisition mere by
The leaders Of such a movement to have any
effect.
II Is absurd TO lay any stress on the skirmish-
ing at Bacoor and linus. There were some lives
lost. but in almost every case 1t was the re-
suit OF carelessness on the part of the victims.
There was no trouble in making the insurgents
fee before the skirmish line, with the exception
Of one occasion when the enemy had sworn to
fight until they were killed and they did hold
on longer than usual. There were rounded up
in the various villages. several hundred insur-
gents. These according to orders from head
quarters. were promptly released, and are now
probably either back in the insurgents ranks or
following peaceful avocations. Why it is neces-
sary to go 10 the trouble of taking any prison
ers at all, is question which occurs TO many OF
timent. even among those who have previously
reserved their opinions. that the war is too
humane. This is rather hard thing for a
Christian individual to say but It is neverthe-
less true War never be anything but bar
barous and brutal. but there is more barbarity
In allowing It TO drag itself over a long period
of time than there is in nstituting more severe
and brisk measures and bringing It TO close
LBNIENCY TO INSURGENTS.
The insurgents do not understand that any
thing In be done from a motive OF
humanity The American way of dealing with
them has msled them from the beginning II
has inspired them to hold out, and II has en-
abled them TO hold out. I am far from advo-
eating any unnecessary cruelty, but It would
not be cruel TO deport prisoners to another ISL
and and keep them under guard II 1t Is impos-
sioe to do so here, instead Of allowing them TO
go free after being taken in the very act NJ
instruction. They do not go on their way re-
to!cing with grateful hearts toward the humane
power that has dealt with them so leniently
The provinces about Manila are more interest
ing just now than the city itself for It is here
that the results and plans Of the coming cam
paign may be canvassed. trip across the bav
TO Bacoor discovers the headquarters Of the
division under General Grant There is a regu-
lar ferryboat small and dirty steamer which
makes the trip 10 Bacoor and back twice a
day sometimes stopping at sParanaque. Ba-
coor Is, speaking roughly, about halfway be-
tween Manila and Cavite, and lies directly on
the shore. which gently curves around the bay
between these two places. BY land II is a dis
lance OF seventeen miles. and part Of this may
be made on hard, sandy beach All Of this
southern coast Of Manila Bay is low lying and
the green Of the trees and the jungle comes
down close 10 the waters edge. The towns
which are situated at intervals along It's banks
are almost entirely concealed by this dense
verdure. The Americans have held the places
this side OF Bscoor. between It and Manila Be-
yond-between Bacoor and Cavite-has been in
surgent territory. Perhaps II has not been
realized at home that the insurg ents held terri
tory When the firing at Bacoor uas
going on the other day, the smoke was visible
from Fort San Antonio, which is Just beyond
Malate' ward OF Manila. which runs along the
shore. Moreover. from this same fort NAV he
seen. 10 the westward a large expanse Of rebel
territory which runs practically I'D 10 Manila
At least, It would be very unsafe for anv bu, a
large force Of Americans TO wander tbrongh
there
GETTING ASHORE AT BACooR
The most conspicuous feature Of the town Of
Bacoor. as you approach 1t from the water, is
the church which stands about fifty feet from
che waters edge. and which is filled with holes
and covered with scars which commemorate
Dewey's victory. The nipa huts are seen nest
ling among the trees along the shore for some
distance IN either direction. 1t is hard to esti-
mate the population Of any Of these native
towns but II is said that the inhabitants Of
BacoOr number over ten thousand. In these
frontier towns the population is likely to be
fuctuating. When the insurgents in the
held. IL is appreciably less, for many are fight