The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-12-11
Released Spanish Prisoners Make
Charges In Manila.
HIS WORD NOT KEPT
THEY WERE DELIVERED TO THE
INSURGENTS AT SUBIG BAY.
Two Spaniards Declare After They
Had Surrendered to Captain Cogh-
Ian On Condition That They Were
Not to Be Delivered to Insurgents
They Were Handed Over.

Manila, Dec. IL, 4:SO p. M
Colonel Julio del Rio. who is
among the released Spaniards that
have just arrived here, gives an
interesting version of the famous Irene
incident in Subig bay, in July of last
year. He was formerly in command Of
the Spanish troops in the Olingapo
district. His narrative is corroborated
by Senior Rafael Roseollo. a wealthy
Spanish merchant, who also fell into
the hands OF the insurgents.
Both declare that the Spanish sur
rendered to Captain Coghlan OF the
United States cruiser Raleigh, on an
express agreement that they were not
to be given up to the Filipinos, and
they assert that the Spanish govern
ment has promised TO press their
claims against the United States for
their long Imprisonment.
According to their story, 1000 IN
surgents were besieging Olingapo,
where there were two companies of ma
rines and a battalion of artillery to-
gether with many civilians. The Ger
man cruiser Irene entered the harbor
to take the women and children on
board. AT this juncture the insurgent
steamer Filipinas, flying the insurgent
flag, started to leave. The Irene threw
shot across her bow, claiming the
right to stop her. as Germany had not
recognized the insurgent flag. The Fill
pinas then raised a white flag and de-
parted. When she returned she was
flying the insurgent flag and was ac-
companied by the United States war
ships Concord and Raleigh. The Irene
was then leaving the harbor with nom
combatants.
Without the least warning" says
Colonel Del Rio and Senior Rossello,
the American warships began to bonn
bard us, firing about twenty-five shots.
Seeing that resistance was useless, as
our guns had never been mounted, we
raised the white flag. Captain Coghlan
came ashore with several officers, and
it was expressly stipulated that the
surrender was TO the Americans alone.
Captain Coghlan was asked to promise
that the Spaniards should not be deliv-
cred to the insurgents, and when he
had given his pledge the entire garrison
surrendered.
THE Americans sailed away on the
evening of the 7th, leaving the gar
rison practically unarmed. They re-
turned on the Sth. Meanwhile the in
surgents had repeatedly fired upon the
town. Captain Coghlan Immediately
ordered the Spaniards to embark on
the Filipinas. When they protested
he said. that although in the hands of
the insurgents. they would be treated
as American prisoners.
Mine civilians, all merchants, were
placed on board the Filipinas, and de-
spite their protests, were kept impris-
oned on the vessel at Olingpo until
their recent release"
Senior Rosello. who is chiefly respons-
IDLE for the foregoing statement, adj
mitsr that, except for one attempt to
rob the merchants, for which Aguinai
do punished the officers of the Filipinas
by reducing them, ell were well
treated.
Colonel del RIO. il, separate state
dent. says:
Captain Coghlan gave his word that
our capitulation would be accepted as
il was made: that is. TO the Americans.
He promised that we should not be
given into the hands of the insurgents,
and believe he was sincere.
Later the Concord Went to Cavite
for Instructions, returning with an or
der frcm Admiral Dewey that we were
TO be handed over TO the insurgents"
Colonel del Rio and Senior Rosello de-
clare that the Irene left her anchorage
at o'clock in the morning and the
American warships arrived at half past
10. passing the German cruiser as she
was leaving the bay. They express
surprise al the popular belief that the
Irene slipped her cable on the appear
ance of the Concord aad Raleigh.