The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-03-21
An Unknown Qual'tlV
= to the Americans
Likely 20 Prolong the War an Inden.
mite Period-Their Number Various
ly Estimated by Dur Generals Prom
10000 Co loo, OOO-E1termination Of
the Tagales the Only Guarantee Of
Peaee-Treaeherous Character Of the
Natives

observation-disclosures Character Of the
Natives
Hong Kong, March 1.-THE follow
ing general view of h situation Is
from a correspondent OF the Associat-
ed Press at Manila and has evidently
not been subjected 10 censorship:
7 The most remarkable feature OF the
situation is the inability OF the Amer
leans and residents 10 estimate the
numbers, and plans Of the
Philippines. Prominent generals think
that two or three disastrous battles will
break their spirits and max them SUE
for terms. A majority Of the English
and other residents r OF the opin-
ion that the determination OF the Taga-
los is the only guarantee OF peace: that
they can easily pc whipped if they give
battle, but that they Will dodge a meet
ing with the Americans in force. Some
people think they will risk battles at
Malabon and P~aranaque, where they
are strongly entrenched, and that IL
they are defeated they will resume
bushwhacking 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 mum
bers. The correspondent questioned
several generals as to the number Of the
rebels n the replies ranged from 20, 900
TO 100, 900. The estimates Of the guam
tity of arms possessed by the rebels are
equally uncertain. The best authori-
ties say 10000. Large sections of the
armed natives are ignorant of the use
Of their weapons.
The country beyond the American
lines is rice fields, cane and brush. The
rebels are familiar with every inch of
it n it affords fine hiding places.
The residents say the Tagalos are
unanimously rebels and they predict
the Americans will be resisted at Min
doro and Mindanoa and that they will
be obliged to subdue them.
The extent of the support which the
other Luzon tribes are giving Agui-
naldo is a mystery. 1t is known that
several regiments were under arms be-
fore the outbreak, but the majority Of
them are supposed jealous Of the Tag
alos, which are reported to be treating
the other tribes in the fashion of the
Spaniards, dominating the island and
holding all the offices.
Reports from the rebels are to the
effect that the recent tactics of the
Americans in retiring to their estab-
lished lines after pursuing makes the
rebels think they are winning victories.
| The oriental character is SO deceptive
that the residents Of Manila are igno-
rant as to whether their own servants
sympathiZe with the ebels or not. 1t
is known that a rebel organization ex-
lists in the city and the evidence is
growing that there was a widespread
plot to assaSsinate the Americans, the
signal being the commencement of hos
t%ilities, The servan were instructed
to kill their employers; but they We're
/ terroriZed by the vengeance dealt out
to and they weakened. Every
Tagalo would LAY cut his employers
throat if he dared, or at least this is a
current saying.
The faithlessness of the natives is IL
Illustrated by the action of the commits
sioners who came here to offer the al
legiance Of the island Of Negros. 1t is
now known that they were in friendly
communication with Aguinaldo while
here.
The rebels have been re-supplied with
ammunition and are using smokeless
powder.
Nearly every house here displays a
foreign flag for protection, whether il
is entitled TO it Or not. All flags ex-
cept the Spanish flag are seen. From
the native huts hang white towels OF
shirts. The natives working in the
fields plant a white flag on a bamboo
as a protection against being mistaken
for active rebels.
Every hut between the city and the
American line is a heap of ashes.
The residents are the chief sufferers
from che present state of affairs. Food
commodities have doubled and thrilled
in prices, and many lines of business
are at a s~tandstill. After z o'clock in
h evening a deathlike silence prevails
in the city, except for the footsteps OF
the sentries or their challenges as ar
occasional civilian is halted. Each sen.
try Calls upon the passing civilians &c
explain their business. The shutters
are all closed for fear Of shootings oc-
curing in the streets and the cafes
restaurants and stores are also closed
Uniformed Spanish officers in the pub.
lie places ~sneeringly say 1T would be
different if we were in control"
AS an instance of the ervou ten.
sion prevailing, it is cited that wher
h sunset gun was fired on Sunday Z
whole regiment encamped at the Lunets
jumped for its arms as IL at a word o
command.
About 800 new saloons have beer
opened here since the American occu
patton, with the result hat man,
drunken soldiers are to be seen In tn
streets. The officers, however, say tn,
conduct of the soldiers is better thai
those OF other nations under simila.
circumstances.
The chief topic of conversation a
present Is the delay in assigning Majo
General awt to a command. Every
body expected that he was to tax
command Of h troops Inc he is cage
to get TO work. but he has been a spec
tator of all the weeks fighting and hi
staff and ~10-year-oId son have bee
exposed to the hottest fire.
There is an impression that Japanes
firms are supplying the rebels witt
arms The japanese papers are urg
ing japanese mediation
Manila, March 17.-17 p. m-Compan.
G, of the Washington regiment. ma
captured $50 additional prisoners nea
Taguig and also seized some ammuni
ton. Most Of the rebels arms wer
hidden or thrown into the river.
The engineers threw a temporar
bridge across the Pasig river for tn
artillery and commissary tains.
Palmetto Still Under Military Guar
Palmetto. Ga, Mrch 1.-THE funeral
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