Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-03-18
TENSION At MANILA,
Extreme Nervousness Prevails
Throughout the City,
ELUS|VENESS OF THE ENEMY
II Is Difficult 10 Estimate Their NumbcFS,
Resources, or Plans.
DIFFERENT VIEWS as TO THE WAR
Consul Williams Says lie Doesn't
Expect to Live to See the End of
It-Prominent Generals Think Fill
pinos VIII Soon Sue for Peace.

! correspondent Of the Associated Press at
Manila, and has evidently not been sub
| jected TO censorship:
The most remarkable feature Of the
| situation Is the inability OF the Americans
and residents to estimate the numbers
resources, and plans OF the Fiipnos
Prominent generals think that two or
three battles will break their spirit and
make them sue for terms. majority
OF the English and other residents are OF
the opinion that the determination OF the
Tagalos is the only way Of securing
peace; that they can easily be whipped
If they give battle but that they will
dodge a meeting with the Americans in
force.
Some people think they will risk bat
ties at Malahon and Paranaque. where
they are strongly entrenched, and that
if they are defeated they will resume
bushwacking as long as any of them are
left. United states Consul Williams says
Il don't expect to live to see the end Of
the war"
The rebels shift about so much that 1t
is impossible TO estimate their numbers.
The correspondent questioned several
generals as to the number Of the rebels,
and the replies ranged from 2oo00 to lOO,-
900. The estimates Of the number OF
arms possessed by the rebels are equally
uncertain. The best authorities say 3d.
Ol9. Large sections Of the armed natives
are ignorant Of the use Of their weapons.
COUNTRY FAVORS REBELS.
The country beyond the American lines
is rice-nelds. cane, and brush. The rebels
are familiar with every inch Of 1t, and it
affords fine hidingp places.
The residents say the ragalos are
unanimously rebels. and they predict that
the Americans will be resisted at Min
dora and Mindanoa, and that they Will
be obliged TO subdue them.
The extent OF the support which the
old Luzon tribes are giving Aguinaldo is
a mystery. 1t is known that several regi-
ments were under arms before the out
break. but the majority Of them are sup
posed to be jealous Of the Tagalos, who
are reDOrtel 10 be treating the other
tribes in the fashion of the Spdniards,
dominating the island and holding all the
offices.
Reports from the rebels are 10 the ef-
feet that the recent tactics OF the Amer-
cans. in retiring 10 their established lines
after pursuing, makes the rebels think
they are winning victories.
DECEITFULNEsS OF TAGALos.
The Oriental character is so deceptive
that the residents of Manila are igno-
rant as to whether their own servants
sympathize with the rebels or not. 1t is
known that a rebel organization exists
rfHtFY 4NnsnF
there was a widespread plot to assassi-
nate the Americans. the signal being the
commencement of hostilities The ser
wants were Instructed 20 XIII their en-
plovers. but they were terrOrzed 10y the
vengeance dealt out TO Offenders. ana
they weakened. Every Tasalo would have
cut his employers throat If he had dared
or. at least. this is current saying.
The faithlessness Of the natives Is Illus
trated by the action of the commissioners
who came here TO offer the allegiance OF
the Island of Negros. 1t is now know
that they were In friendly communication
with AguinaldO while here.
The rebels have been resupplied with
ammunition and are using smokeless
powder.
FOREIGN FLAGS FOR PROTECTION. y.
Nearly every house here displays
foreign flag for protection, whether II
is entitled to it or not. All flags except
the Spanish flag are seen. From the ma
tive huts hang white towels. or shlrts'
The natives working in the fields plant
white flag on bamboo, as Il protection
against being mistaken for active rebels.
Every former hut between the city ana
the American line is heap oil ashes'
The residents are the chlei SuHt,'is
from the present state Of affairs Food
Lodi
price. and many lines OF business are al
n standstill. ,n
After 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 i
halted. Each sentry calls upon passing
civilians To explain their business. Inc
shutters are all closed for fear or shoo'-
ines occurring in the streets. ana 'he tne-
aires. restaurants, ana stores are "'so
ciosed Uniformed Spanish officers in the |
nublic places sneeringly say: II "o"i"
he different If we were in control
THE PREVAILING NERVOUSNESS.
As an instance Of the nervous tension |
,,r,,,otiing il IS cited that when the sun
scr GUN was fired on Saturday a whole |
reginnent encamped at the Junea jumped |
co.. its arms. as if at a word OF command.
About 900 new saloons have been opened
bera since the American occupation. win |
The result that many drunken solCierS
are 70 be seen in the streets. 1he onlceIs'
however. say that the conduct of the SOL
diers H. better than would be the condnct
~ soldiers OF other nations under similar
circumstances.
WHY HAS LAWTON no COMMAND
The chief topic Of conversation at pres
ont is the delay in assigning Major-G Gene
rai Tov,ton TO command. EVefyD""N
exnectcd that he was 10 take coIiii".u
of the troops. ard he is eager 10 sel ~
work, but he has been a specl"toi y, 80
the weeks fighting. and his stan anu ~ W
year-old son have been e@poseu " ''''
rber, Il an impression that japanese
c.. ora sunplying the rebels with arms
49, r..n ''' ta,.onese papers are urging Japanese
~ MORE REBEL PRISONERS.
.p Accompany G, Of the washington
=, I,,,ort M has captured 10 additional
I,vs.,m r,'ao,s near Tagug. and also seized
sa,,,e ammunition. Most OF ihe iepe,s
arr,s were hidden or thrown INTO inc
river. . ,a,ono,arv bridge
- ,he Pasig river for the artiieiy
and commisslry Trans
,,., College building burned.
,.,,oNr : 4, March 1I.-NeWS |