Semi=weekly graphic., 1899-09-16


 Ours Captasa ot British MsrosAns
 Steamer Gass the Fiax to Natives to
 Raise fer Protection. V
 On the departure of the Spaniardn the inhabitants of some of the SuIu Islands, notably Palawan. Balbabac and kulion, applied for British protec- tion. and Capt. Pfort of the British steamer Labusn. visiting Paiawan in response 70 the urgent request of tho natives, handed to the latter British flag, to be used in case If emergency On the matter being reported to Sir Charles Mitchell, governor of the Straits, and subsequently, to ths for etgn office. the latter teiegraphed to Singapore orders that the British flag should atonee be hauled down. and ac- conding to adyiees just received in Isoo. don. fl. M. s. Archer was dispatched : to Port Royaiist. Palawan, to haul down the flag From tho report of Capt. Pfort 1t appears that it was only on seeing the really critical state Of aFaieS that he gave the flag to tho ns tiYe5, The I4sbuan called at Port Roy alist Palawan. on February l. and found the people in great consterns~ ton. The Spaniafds had lett three months previously. saying that the Americans would take over the gov ernment in three days. On leaving. the Snaniards turned adrift, without food, NI x.n an n. diers The conyicts, too. were set at liberty. and all arms and ammunition having been removed the people were entirely at the mercy of the disbanded soldiers and freed conyicts. who loot cd and piilaged the whole country. On his arrival Capt. Pfort was asked by inc head man there if ths governor of Sandakan would sfford them protsc. tion, and he, in reply, suggested that letter in that senss should be dis patched to the governor Of Sand&kan. Capt. Pfort also handed to them Brit ish merchant ensign with Instructions to inform anyone seeking to moiest ish protection. He aiso gave to them this letter: "BS it known unto sil mes that I, Captain Pfort, master of the Brit sh steamer Iabuan, having arrived al this port aud found tho people dc sirous Of British protection. hays thia day given to the president Of this port British dag. which have instructed him 10 use aud call upon all men to rs- spect the same untli such time as Hoe Britannic Majesty, Queen Victoria. notiaes her pleasure regarding ths pro. lection Of this port and the Island of Pslawan in general" After leaving Port Rogsiist the Lsbuan called at Curaray and Jllandak ports, on ths northwest coast of Palawan, and found 1, similar condition of things, the people being in terror in ths mountains. Pro cae6ing tO Kulion, an island seventy miles north Of Pslawan, Capt. Pfort found local republic set ID under Aguinsldo. Prom this place he took on board his steamer a number Of Tefu gees. The dispatch from Lord Sails bury to Sir Charles Mitchell in refer- encs to Capt. Pfort's action simply or dared the flag to be hauled down. aad added that the British government dis approved of Capt. Pfoyt's action. Her majesty government stated that Pala wan and the adjacent islands, being portions Of the Philippines, beGame by virtue Of conquest, American territory.
 \ War Epigram Lanchscn.
 New York Herald: The newest idea s,. xii con, the intellectual feature of tbs affair being the repetition by each guest Of some historic motto of ths recent conaict with Spain Among these apt quotations from the utter ances Of naval and military heroes were these:
 Excuse me, sir; I have to report that the ship has been blown up and is sinking. Bill Anthony.
 Suspend Judgment Sigsbee.
 We will make Spanish the court language of Hadss. - Evans
 Remember ths Maine '--Schley
 Don't hamper me with instruc tions I'm not afraid of the entire Spanish fleet with my ship. Clark.
 tTo hell with break akfast: let's finish 'em now "A gunner on board one os the vessels
 "shafter is fighting. not writing. - Gorbin.
 Don't cheer nov; these poor devils are dying Philip.
 T want to make q public acknowi- edgment that I believe in God. the Father Almighty Philip.
 "The Maine is avenged Watu- wright.
 Don't get between my guns and tha enemy '' Dewey