The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-02-23
Several InSurgent FiIipinOs Killed
and a Number of General Otis's
Men wounded.
MANY PEOPLE NOW HOMELESS
MAKING THE PATROL DUTY OF THE
SOLDIERS DIFFICULTY.
Conference Between Otis and Repre-
sentatives of the Loyal Inhabitants
OF the Island of Negros.

MANILA, Feb. %. $50 q. m.-Immense
damage has been done by fires which are
believed to have been started by insurgents
last night The fire department has ex-
perienced great difficulty in fighting the
reported that the natives have damaged the
apparatus. There was some fighting in the
streets during the night, but the Americans
quickly quelled the uprising. A number of
insurgents were killed and several Ameri-
can soldiers were wounded. A large market
place was among the first to burn. Between
six and seven hundred residences and busi-
ness houses have been destroyed. Fires
were started at several points simultaneous
ly and spreading with great rapidity re-
sisted all efforts to control them. Hun
dreds Of homeless natives are huddled in
the streets. making the patrol duty of the
Americans very difficult.
Later-Last night was one of terror to
thousands of the inhabitants of Manila, the
rebels making good their oft-repeated
threats to the extent of burning acres of
by firing through windows during the ex-
citement. At o'clock an incendiary fire
occurred in a block of brick buildings oc-
cupied by Chinese on the Gale Lacoste, in
the Santa Cruz district. A stiff breeze was
blowing and the iniammability of adjoin-
ing structures caused the blaze to spread
with alarming rapidity.
The city fire department was wholly In
competent and the English volunteer brigade
from Santa Mesa was summoned and with
a modern engine pumping adequate streams
from the canal succeeded, after four hours
work in getting the blaze under control.
Meantime the entire block and the greater
part Of two others across the street were
completely gutted.
The Chinese and natives lined the adj
jacent streets while hundreds more, fearing
a general conhagration, removed their fur
niture and other portable goods in every
direction, within radius of quarter of a
mile when the alarm was first given.
General Hughes personally superintended
the police arrangements. The whole city
was thoroughly patrolled and guards were
doubled. Every available man was dis
patched to the region of the fire. Impede
ments were placed in the way of the firemen
and the hose was cut five different times.
This resulted in all the natives being driven
off the streets, those in the immediate vi
clnity of the blaze being corralled in vacant
lots and guarded until the excitement was
over.
In many instances the natives were in
solent and paid no regard to the orders
given them and the soldiers were compelled
to use harsh measures. The butts of their
rifles and their bayonets were freely ap-
piled.
The danger from live electric light wires
necessitated the closing of the circuit in
the burning region. and the only light in
certain parts of the city was that furnished
by the blaze.
Shortly after midnight another big fire was
started in the Tondo district where the ma
tives are thickest and when the firemen and
soldiers attempted to work a regular fusil-
lade of rifle and revolver shots were fired
from the windows and roofs of the buildings
The fremen escorted by soldiers pro-
ceeded to clean out the houses, while the
fire was unheeded. The Thirteenth Mime
the Third Infantry, the Second Oregon, the
Third Artillery and the Tenth Pennsyl-
vania.
Bullets flew in every direction IN almost
every street in the Tondo and Binondo dis
tricts, causing the most intense excitement
Captain Robinson. of Company c, Thir-
teenth Minnesota, and three men were
wounded.
Many timid persons, imagining that the
rebels had effected an entrance through the
American lines and were advancing into the
city, hurried frantically from their hotels
and houses. only to be stopped at the first
street by a guard. The sounding of the ma
tive bugle call preceding the fire lent ru-
NOR to the story.
Thousands of Chinese crossed the bridges
and plazas under fire. hurrying with their
bundles to the Chinese consulate.
All night long the fire spread through the
Tondo district sweeping away rows of
houses and devasting acres OF territory.
The damage was inestimahle With day.
light punitive measures were decided upon,
and the Americans. though tired after the
sIeepless nights work, soon cleared the dis
trict Of every native after a slight resist
anee.
LOYAL FILIPINOs.