Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-08-31
Report Regarding Aguinaldo's Pur-
pose Disbeleved.
SPY INTELLIGENCE AS TO INSURGENTS
Establishing Local Government on
luzon Island.
SUPPLIES FOR NATIV e s

FORWARD movement IN CaNlte province anu
an attack upon our forces at linus differs
widely from advices received in private let
ters from officers on Gen. Otis staff. One
of these states that the insurgents in Cavite
province have been thoroughly whipped"
much more so than those north of Manila.
The writer states that the insurgent de-
moralizatio is so great in the south that
Aguinados chief general in Cavite prov
ince has indicated desire to surrender if
he can obtain the consent of his chief. The
letter is dated last month, and has just
been received here.
Another letter from one of Gen. Otis
staff officers states that the commanding
general has much greater facilities for OBJ
tanning correct information to the status
of the insurrection than Is commonly
known. and that his spy system ramifyng
the insurgent camps makes it clear to those
in authority in Manila that the natives are
anxious to secure peace and return to
their usual vocations.
The opinion is expressed that the best
n.ears of bringing about this end is to
hurry forward reinforcements and then in
augurate a short. sharp and vigorous cam
Iaign during November.
These letters have been brought to the
attention of Secretary Root and other high
officials and have been favorably comment
ed upon as offsetting the reports current
of late.
Local Government in the Islands.
Gen. Lawtons course in extending munic-
ipal government in the Philippines is ex-
planned in detail in Manila newspapers
which have just been received at the War
department. They state that the general
has made tour OF many towns along the
lire of his division, including Santa Anna,
Pandacan end San Felipe, and has estab-
lished il each a complete system Of civil
government. The Inhabitants OF the towns
are to have entire charge of affairs, ac-
cording TO Gen. Lawtons system. The gen
eral called before him the principal men
of the towns. and after pointing out the
general purposes and desires of the Ameri-
can government had these natives desig-
nate mayor. vice mayor and head men for
the various wards The mayor chosen for
Santa Anna is Rafael Rivera at Pandacan
the mayor is Bernado Lozado; at San Fe-
Ipe, Buena Domingo.
General Lawton explained to the inhab-
itants that the United States government
Gid not wish TO NEEDLE at all with the local
aHairS of the people, and they were told
10 proceed with tax levies, TO start schools
and public improvements and to establish
Such civil offices they fit. The peo-
pie were told that the tax money was to be
expended at home, and none of it was to be
contributed to the military government
General Lawton also established the first
civil government at Balaag, Senior Guerrero
being installed as captain general. Similar
local govern ments have been put In force
In Bacoor, Paranac and Los Pinas.
Troops at San Francisco
Dispa tches We're received at the War De-
partment today from General Shafter, at
San Francisco, announcing the departure
and arrival of troops at that port as fol-
lows:
transport Grant arrived last night with
1st North Dakota. 1st Idaho. 1st Wyoming
Volunteer Infantry and Battery a, Wyo-
ming Light Artillery. Further report will
be made later"
Transport City of Puebla left at m
yesterday for Manila with the following
military passengers: Capt. Devere, 25d In
fantry; Chaplain Preeland. Second Lieut..
GOWN. Sd Cavalry; Mould. 10th; Ripley
"a; Shares. 2lst Infantry; acting Assistant
Surgeons Weaver and Simpson. two enlisted
men, Hospital Corps and the following cas-
uals and recruits:
Casuais-Artillery, 1st. one; Sd. one; 9th,
one Infantry, 9Th, cne; 1ith, one; 22d, one;
&:d. one.
Recruits-Artiilery. Sd. two; 9Th. twenty
eight Infantry, Sd. seven; 9Th, six; 9th,
ten; 18th, sixteen; 18th. one; 14th, fourteen;
nth. forty-seven; 18th, eleven; Goth one
hundred and fifty-five: 2lst, one; 22d ten.
sd. sixty-four; 2+th. forty-five: 18th, forty
two; ith Cavalry, one hundred and eighty
three
Acting Assistant Surgeon MacLean under
orders for Honolulu. Nine officers and 631
enlisted men. SHAF'TER
Supplies for the InsurSents
The officials Of the State. War and Navy
departments have been devoting good
deal of time lately to the consideration of
means whereby the Philippine insurgents
may be deprived Of the great assistance
they now receive through the admission of
supplies of food and the admission of
their valuable products. There is
much difficulty in finding a way to do this
without interfering injuriousy with legiti-
mate trade and raising some ugly interna-
~ to.
ard. in fact, such thing has happened
for a merchant ship carrying the American
flag to enter an insurgent port and sell
food supplies at greatly enhanced prices
taking out in return cargocs of hemp. to-
bacco and other raw material AT an enor-
nous profit. The insurgents are substan-
tally aided by this trade. yet so far the
means have not been found to prevent it.
Merits of the Troopships.
The merits of the United States armv
transport service have so far commended
themselves to the French government that
Captain Vignal, the military attache o. the
French embassy, has been instructed to
make investigation of the plans of our
transports. with a view of Improving the
service of French ships. He has had con-
ference with Colonel Bird of the quarter
masters department. who has charge of the
transports. and has asked permission to
copy the plans Of the American vessels. As
these plans are generally known. there has
been no objection to the request.
Sending Animals to Manila.
new plan has been adopted regarding
the shipment Of animals to the Philippines
Heretofore animals shipped by way of
Honolulu have been given a weeks rest at
that place. The ships have been idle mean
while. waiting in the harbor. II is now
proposed to ship the animals to Honolulu
unload and return to San Francisco. With
another load the ship will proceed to Homo
lulu and then pick up the first load and
proceed on her way TO Manila leaving the
second load To be taken later Another
plan that is being considered is to have
ship run between San Francisco and
Honolulu only, and three between Homo
lulu and Manila. The department is ex-
periencing some difficulty with the horses
which have been shipped from the east TO
the coast. They have not stood the jour-
ney very well. and have taken cold and
suffer from distemper. The horses need
very careful attention. No difficulty has
been experienced with the old. reliable
mule. who seems at home everywhere and
can stand anything.