The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1899-02-09

ANEW 4OnA, leu. IA special IrON
Manila, dated 1:2O p. M, says: The
attack by the Filipinos ON the Ameri.
cans last night has probably taught
them lesson they will be long forget
ting. This lesson may result in the
betterment of the anamolous situation
here caused by the delay of the Ameri-
can senate in ratifying the treaty OF
peace. The delay undoubtedly had
the effect of encouraging Aguinaldo
and his supporters, whose agents in
the United States have kept them
we'll Inferred of the station at Wash
ington. The natives have also had an
excellent opportunity of learning the
difference in the fighting qualities of
the Spanish and American troops, and
their enlightment has been great.
| AMERICAN CASUALTIES SMALL.
| Fourteen American soldiers were
killed in action. One died during the
firing from a disease made worse 10y
excitement. Eighteen Americans
were wounded seriously enough to be
taken to the hospital. A number of
Others received slight injuries.
PRE(IPITATED BY THE FILIPINOS.
The fighting was not the result of
anything aggressive on the part of the
Americans, but was precipitated by
the action of native soldiers, who re-
fused to obey the order of a sentry who
challenged their passage of his post.
Two natives advanced to an outpost of
the First Nebraska regiment, who are
stationed 10 the northeast of Manila.
AS they approached the sentry, the
latter ordered them to halt. They in
solently refuse to do so and continued
to advance. The sentry again called
upon them to halt and as they paid no
attention to the order. he leveled his
rifle and fired upon them.
THE PLAN WAS PRECONCEIvED.
The action of the natives leads to the
supposition that their refusal to obey
the sentry was part of a preconceived
plan. No sooner had the sentry fired
than the Filipinos, who were occupy
ing blockhouse No. 7, fired a gun,
which was evidently the signal for an
attack to be made on the Americans.
The Nebraska regiment was encamped
in the vicinity of an outpost, where
the shooting occurred, and it was upon
this regiment the first attack was
made.
THEIR RECEPTION SURPRISED THEM.
Immediately after the firing of the
signal gun, the FiIipinOs moved aginst
the Nebraskans. They were not pre-
pared for the reception they got. They
thought they would take the Ameri-
cans by surprise, but in this they were
grievously disappointed, finding the
Americans ready for any contingency.
The fighting spread on both sides, until
there was extensive firing going on at
all the outposts.
| OUR TROOPS GLAD TO GET A CHANCE.
Our troops, who had been expecting
trouble, were glad to have an opportunity
to square accounts with the natives whose
insOlence Of late was becoming intOlerable
and responded with all alacrity and vigor
to the fire of the Filipinos, which was
heavy. The enemy occupied the trenches
they have been digging for some days
past in plain view of the Americans.
ADMIRAL DEWEY GETS TO WORK.
In the meantime Admiral Dewey had
not been idle. During the night it was inn
possible for him to use shells, as his firing
would have been as dangerous to the Am
orleans as to the natives. He gave orders,
however, that as soon as 1T was light en-
ough to allow the positions Of the enemy
to be determined with accuracy, the
! cruiser Charleston and the captured gum
boat, Callao, should take hand in the
game. At daybreak the two warships
took positions and opened fire on the en-
emy north Of the city. Later the monitor
MonadnOck was ordered to attend to the
r'ilipinos to the south of Manila. The pO-
sition of the enemy was accurately located
A. hi q info
them. 1t is reported that the losses of the
natives by bombardment were very
, heavy.
AMERICAN LAND FORCES IMPLICIT GREAT
Il LOSS.
The American land forces were also in
f1icting heavy losses on the enemy. rms
morning they commenced vigorous ad-
vance ali along the line. The enemy at
tempted to hold their positions. but the
| Americans would not be denied and soon
the natives were being pressed back in
every direction. The Americans main
tanned steadily their advance, driving the
enemy from and capturing the villages OF
San Juan, Del Monte, Santa Ana, San Pc
dro, Macati, and Santa Mesa and Lomla.
WASHINGTON REGIMENTS RECORD.
The engagement proved a veritable
slaughter OF the FilipinOs, hundreds be!ne
killed. Gen. Kings brigade, including
numerically strong force OF the enemy
and yelling wildly, drove them heller
,, ak elter into the Pasig river where, in
!, frenzy of terror, they were drowned like
! rats.
AaUINALDo's SECRETARY ARRESTED.
RI was known to the American officers
here that the private secretary OF Agul
naldO was in the city seeking lnIormaton
that might benefit the Filipinos, but little
check was put on his movements unu
the fighting occurred, when ne wa,
, e snv. The outlook for him is bad, as mill
: tarv instice now will be swift and certain
1 MANY WOUNDED IN THE TRENCHES.
| when orr troops took the trenches tina
D had heen occupied by the natives they
: found many wounded in them. Over lO
: ~ these were taken to the American nos
o nitals. where they were treated by I'M
I American doctors.
= HEAVY NATIVE LOSS.
e The slaughter was terrible ana Tn
: -onnd was covered with the bodies
slain Filipinos. They showed no lack
!, courage. but faced the whitening nre
! The American soldiers and died ngnLlne
Bodies of hundreds OF them wsaG v Msn
d PIE old Fourteenth Infantry, 80 ioni
r stotionad ut Fort Vancouver, sustalne'
:, 80 hao v;ast loss of life during the battle
G Slv estimates place the Filipino Iosse
Z m to date at 1900 dead, ., 5O0 wounqe'
/ and 5000 taken prisoners: Inc IoDe
forces have been driven DacA 'ei iAi.s'S'
{. THE AMERICAN Loss.
The first reports Of the fighting were
tha effect that few of the American. q q
had been killed, but when Inc e orro1" ths
b pOIIS t ro3 80 r,,Ir men lost their hves