Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1899-11-02
SPANISH PRISONERS.
Commissioners State That the Fill
pinos Ill-Treat Them.
CHRISTMAS BOXES FOR SOLDIERS.
American Troops Have Slight SkirmIshes
with the FiIlpInos-- Rations for Use
In the Phillppines-Vessels En-
Route to Manila.


lieve the wants Of several thousand
military and civil Spanish prisoners,
returned to Angeles yesterday. The
commissioners report that they spent
most Of the time in Tarlac and the
vicinity, where there are some 2,7OO
sick Spaniards in the hospital. The
F'ilipinos ill-treat and ill-feed them, re-
fusing to surrender them, as well as
the other Spanish prisoners, in the hope
of compelling Spain to recognize the
independence of the island. From
Tarlac to Bamban, about two-thirds Of
the way, the commissioners travelled
by train on the Manila-Dugapan rail-
way. The remainder of the journey,
from Bamban to Angeles, they made on
foot and escorted by handsomely
mounted Filipino cavalry. They were
received between the outposts by a
member of Gen. MacArthur's staff
and were brought by train to Manila.
There are IA American prisoners,
they say, at Tarlac. all of whom are
well-treated Lieut.. j. c. Gilmore, of
the United States gunboat Yorktown,
who fell into the hands of the insur-
gents at Baler, on the east coast of
Luzon last April, where the Yorktown
had gone on special mission to re-
lieve the Spanish garrison, is at Bingat.
The commissioners have brought a
letter to Gen. Otis from a relative Of
the murdered Filipino general, Luna,
who wishes to avenge the assassina-
ton by Aguinaldo's officers and who
asks a personal interview with the
military governor. According to the
commissioner statement, Aguinaldo,
who is still at Tarlac with 5000 troops,
wishes to continue the war, although
he has high opinion of the American
officers and soldiers. Gen. Lawton he
calls "El General de la Noche" (the
night generaD, because the commander
has attacked him so often in the dark
ness that he never knows when TO look
for him. Aguinaldo is said to be well
supplied with arms and ammunition
and he is able to get plenty Of rice
from the northern provinces.
With the Spanish commissioners
came a large number of women, the
families Of eight prominent Filipino
army officers, who recently applied to
Gen. Otis for permission to send their
families to Manila. Upon the receipt
Of the military governors reply, the
nature of which has not been disclosed,
the women and children started under
escort from Tarlac for the American
lines. When they arrived yesterday
Gen. Macarthur compelled them to
halt about mile beyond our outposts,
where they will remain while their
credentials are being examined.
CHRISTMAS BOXES FOR THE SOLDIERS.
New York, Oct. 3i.-At the army
pier in Brooklyn yesterday corps Of
men were busily engaged receiving and
recording the wagon loads Of boxes
which came in from all parts Of the
country for the United States soldiers
in the Philippines. The government
furnishes free transportation and many
persons are taking advantage Of the
fact to send Christmas boxes to their
relatives and friends in Manila. There
were packages and bundles Of all sizes,
each carefully labeled and in most
eases stamped "Christmas box" in large
black letters. Not only were there
packages from individuals, but many
firms sent packages and among these
was large package Of literature for
sick soldiers. 1t is expected that the
transport Thomas, which sails on Sat-
urday with the Forty-seventh regiment,
will take most Of the 5000 packages
now at the pier. After her departure
other gifts will be forwarded by the
Meade, Logan and Crook, when their
respective sailing dates are settled.
ENCOUNTERS WITH THE INSURGENTS.
Manila, Oct. 3l.-Three companies of
Col. Bells regiment have had two en-
counters with the insurgents near
Labam and scattered them. The in
surgents left four officers, and eight
dead on the field and the Americans
captured three prisoners and several
guns. On the American side one man
was killed and two officers and six men
were wounded. Capt. French took a
accommodating party beyond Labam
after he had met the enemy and was
reinforced by Maj. Bishop, with two
companies. The insurgents brought up
cavalry reinforcements and there wss
a second ngnt uu1ng'wnrcn rnelr reau-
err, Mai. Salvador, was killed and many
were wounded and carried away.
Maj. Balances battalion Of the
Twenty-second infantry entered Ca
bauatuan yesterday, meeting with no
resistance, The natives welcomed the
Americans shouting "Viva los Ameri-
canos" The insurgent troops fled to
che mountains. N.
Col. Bell has been given free hand
around Bacolor. lie has 50 mounted
men securing the country daily and
they are killing many Filipinos in
skirmishes.
RATIoNs FOR USE IN THE PHILIPPINES
Washington, Oct Sl-0rders were
issued by the commissary department
yesterday for the purchase of $4,000
standard emergency rations This is
only intended for the use OF parties
temporarily beyond the reach of their
line of communication when 1t is i'm
possible for them to get the regular
army ration. The supplies in question
will be purchased in New York and
sent Mt once to San Francisco for use