The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-06-09

| Moro troops are needed in the Philip
| pines, says Capt. ". n. Ferguson who
| was passenger on the steamer Roanoke
| from Manila. and who II now In the city.
Moreover. Capt. Ferguson. who talked
personally with Maj. Gen. Lawton just
before his departure for this country. de-
ciares that q ID the unanimous opinion OF
the officers under Gen. Oeis that perma-
nent peace will not be secured until twice
the number OF troops now on duty in tho
Philippines are supplied
Ag1inaldo. although defeated and n
hiding. has still q strong influence In MA
nila, says Capt. Ferguson. His hold on
the Ffiipinos has not yet been broken. de-
spite the fact that In one after another
crushing defeats they have lost thousands
Of soldiers.
Capt. Ferguson visited the firing line
during his stay in Manila. whittier he went
on the last trip OF the transport Roanoke
He closely observed conditions. and tells
q most interesting story OF matters In the
city and the Philippines. He says:
"Aguinaldo IL extortfng large sums OF
money every day from the wealthy FIJI
pino bankers and merchants OF Manila
This may seem strange when II Is remem-
bered that the city II occupied by our
troops and that the frowning guns OF the
be seen in the bay from the business
streets. Yet II 10 true, and today the reb-
Ell leader is getting much Of his supplies
Of money from the Filipino merchants and
bankers.
How can this be- Easy enough. Agui-
naldo has his secret agents at Manila
They speak softly and in secret to the
wealthy Filipino victim They tell him
that Aguinaldo will yet win and that his
duty to his race and his country demands
that he furnish money to keep the SOL
diers armed and clad In their fight with
the American troops.
Naturally, the Filipino would rather
keep his money. and he infinitely prefers
American dominion and control OF the ISL
ands to the troublous reign Of Aguinaldo.
But what II he refuses to pay? He Is al
most certain to wake up some night and
md crafty. sneaking little villain OF
Filipino In his bed chamber and have
knife sent into his heart. He knows that
II he IL not stabbed In his sleep he will
be murdered in his Office or perhaps on
the street. He Is told and believes that
Aguinaldo's loyal Fflipinos surround him.
Undoubtedly Aguinaldo has enissaries
among the ostenstbly friendly natives in
Manila. They are unknown to the Ameri-
cans: When one II caught he is given
xxuinaido naintains an influence Tess in ma Ma
Mia and secures 4 considerable amount Of
money. sa
line OF troops thirty miles long, stretched
over such a country a. surrounds Manila.
1t Is the old story of the campaigns
against the Apaches. Gen. Otis will have
to corral the separate bands of insur-
gents before the fighting will cease How
impossible il Is to do this with the small
number OF men in the islands has been
fuiiy told In the dispatches. Yet one can
not realize II here. He must see the fir
ing line and go over the country to I'M
derstand how thin and fragmentary such
line OF troops becomes when scattered
over a vast stretch Of country.
lit Ia no wonder that In FcYpA e
mighty hard work successfully pursuing
the rebels after he had whipped them. He
is firmly convinced that more troops
should be sent than have been provided
Tor. There Will be no peace until 20 go
good fighting men are available for duty
In the Philippines. At present a large per-
centage OF the command In the islands is
away from the firing nne from sickness.
wounds or on other duty. Under such
circumstances pursuit and capture of the
rebels is out OF the question"
Capt Ferguson. who was formerly mas
ter OF the sailing vessel Sacramento, says
that the regiment doing provost guard in
the city maintains order with a strong
hand ns TIE Ellipinos are In mortal terror
when ship was discharged by bands Of
Fflipinos In the harbor they were inso-
lent and rehellious. and would attack a
European with knives X they were given
what they considered an undue amount of
work 10 do.
Now. when band OF stevedores IL
brought out to lighter a ships cargo they
are in charge OF a soldier, who orders
them around with impunity. and who
boots them about and enforces his orders
with thu butt OF his gun. This treatment
Is now received by the swarthy little ma
,ives with humility. When they are re-
turned to tho city after a days work. II
| II Is after the hour when the provost guard
is IN possession OF the streets they're
afraid to go to their homes for fear OF
being shot. and sleep In the warehouses.
| Thus perfect order Is maintained by a
| single regiment OF American troops In a
city Of 10000 people. the majority of
whom are natives.
Capt Ferguson sails on the Roanoke FOR
| Cape Nome tomorrow