The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1899-03-21
AT MANILA.
The War Has Just Begun-Inability Of
Americans To Estimate Plans, ResOur-
ces And Numbers Of Filipinos.

Hong KONG, March 17r-The follow
ing general view of the situation is
from a correspondent Of the Associated
Press at Manila, and has evidently not
been subjected to censorship:
''The most remarkable feature Of the
situation is the inability of the Ameri
cans and residents to estimate the mum
bers, resources and plans of the Filipi
nos. Prominent generals think that
two or three disastrous battles will
break their spirit and make them sue
for terms. A majority of the E lglish
and other residents are of the opinion
that the determination of the Tagalos
is the only guarantee of peace, that
they can easily be whipped if they give
battle, but that they will dodge a meet
ing with the Americans in force.
Some people think that they will
risk battles at Malabon and Paranaque,
where they are strongly entrenched,
and that if they are defeated they will
resume bush whacking and keep it up
as long as any of them are left.
United States Consul Williams says:
" I don't expect to live to see the end
of the war;
The rebels shift about so much that
it 1s impossible to estimate their mum
bers
1.-The correspondent questioned sew
eral generals as to the number OF the
rebels, and the replies ranged from 90
600 to 100, 900. The estimates of the
quantity of arms possessed by the
rebels are equally uncertain. The best
authorities say 80, 900. 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, and 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 Mindanao, and that they will
be obliged to subdue them.
The extent of the support which the
other Luzon tribes are giving Aguinal.
do is a mystery. It is known that sew
eral regiment were under arms before
the outbreak, but the majority of them
are supposed tc be jealous of the Taga
los, who are reported to be treating the
other tribes in the fashion of the Span
lard, dominating the island and hold
ing 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 them, makes
the rebels think they are winning vic
tories.
1.-The O :iental character is 80 decep-
tive that the residents of Manila are
ignorant as to whether their own ser
wants sympathize with the rebels or
not. 1t is known that a rebel organi
cation exists in the city, and the evi
dence is growing that there was a
widespread plot to assassinate the
Americans, the signal being the com,
mencement of hostilities. The servants
were instructed to kill their employers
but they were terrorized by the VEN
geance dealt out to offenders, and they
weakened. Every Tagalo would have
cut his employers throat if he had
dared, or at least this is a current say
ing.
The faIthlessness of the natives ie
illustrated by the action of the com
missioners who came here to offer the
allegiance of the Island Of Negros. II
is now known that they were in friend
IL communication with Aguinaldc
while here.
The rebels have been resupplied
with ammunition and are using smoke
less powder.
NEARLY every house here displays
foreign flag for protection, whether il
is entitled to it or not. Ali flags except
the Spanish flag are seen. From the
} native huts hang white towels o.
shirts.
, The natives working in the feldr
} plant a white flag on a bamboo as
protection against being mistaken FOL
active rebels.
Every hut bet tween the city and tn
American line is a heap of aches.
The residents are the chief sufferer
from the present state of affairs. FooC
commodities have doubled and trebleC
in prices, and many lines Of bushes
are at a sEandstill.
CATER z o'clock in the evening
i. death like silence prevails in the city
/. except for the footsteps of the sentrie
or their challenges as an occasiona
Lcizilian ia halted. Every sentry call