Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-04-19
Manner Of Their Treatment By the
FilipinOS in Doubt.
FIRST AMERICAN Loss OF SORT.
Men Taken While Rcscuing n Span
ish Force Surrounded by Insur-
gents-RebeIs May Not Consent to
an Exchange.
an Exchange.

| WASHINGTON. April 1S.-The Navy
Department has given out the following
dispatch from Admiral Dewey:
Manila, April 1s-Secretary Of the
| Navy. Washington: The Yorktown visit
ed Baler. Luzon, east coast of Luzon. L.
l., April 18TH for the purpose of rescuing
| and bringing away the Spanish forces,
| consisting OF eighty soldiers. three Off
GERS. and two priests, which were sur
| rounded by 1900 insurgents. Some of the
insurgents, armed with Mauser rifles.
by natives. Lieutenant j. Gilmore,
while making ambushed. were
fired upon and captured. Fate unknown,
as insurgents refused to communicate af-
| terward. The following are missing. The
officer previously referred to, Chief-Quar-
termaster w. w. Walton, Coxswain J.
Ellsworth, Gunner's-Mate II. j. Hygard,
| Sailmaker's- 's-Mate Vendgit. Seaman W. II.
Rydners and G. w. Woodbury., Appren-
tices ID. Wavenvllle and p. W Peterson,
Ordinary-Seamen +. Brisoles. o. McDon-
aid. and Landsmen L. T. Edwards. L. An
dersen, J. Dillon, and c. \. Morrissey.
(Signed DEWEY"
MUCH EXCITEMENT.
The dispatch from Admiral Dewey
| caused much excitement in naval circles
as soon as its contents became known. 1t
was received late in the day, and con-
siderable delay was occasloned by the
blindness Of some of the cypher words.
1t was impossible to completely decypher
it. and the asterisks indicate the unintel-
ligible words.
Lieutenant Gilmore the officer referred
to as captured. is well known in Wash
ington. having been stationed here for
some time. His wife and family live here.
lie was born i'm Philadelphia. July 10. 1885,
and was appointed a naval cadet from
Arizona in September. 1871. He reached
his present grade Of lieutenant I'm 1891 His
main service has been on the Mononga-
hela. Nesuvius. and Machias. besides con-
siderable service on board other vessels.
Just a year ago he reported to the st
Paul. then commissioned as an auxiliary
cruiser. and served on that vessel. under
Captain Sigsbee. throughout the war. On
January l4th last he was ordered 10 the
hospital-ship Solace. which was about to
|
assigned by Admiral Dewey to the York
town.
THE MISFORTUNE GREAT.
The capture Of the Yorktown's men was
discussed with much feeling I'm naval cir
cles. The misfortune was felt with added
keenness as the navy. has prided itself
thus far on immunity from reverses. The
Admirbps dispatch OF to-day was the first
knowledge the department had that the
Yorktown had gone on this special mis-
sion TO relieve the Spanish garrison M
Baler. That the capture should have been
effected while the American forces were
on a mission Of mercy toward the Span
iards. rather than I'm the prosecution Of
campaign. led TO the belief that Spain
would have no further ground for ques-
tioning the good faith with which the
Americans were seeking to relieve the
conditions of the Spanish prisoners.
Although the dispatch gave no indca-
tiOn that Lieutenant Gilmore and his men
had lost their lives, yet great anxiety was
aroused by the mystery surrounding their
fate while in the hands Of an uncvllized
enemy.
FIRST CAPTURE OF AMERICANS.
This is the first capture Of any Amer-
cans, military or naval. so that II IS un-
known how the insurgents will treat our
men.
II civilized methods were pursued. an
exchange could be quickly effected. as
General Otis has a large number Of Fill
pino prisoners. but the insurgents have
been averse thus far TO exchanging Span
ish prisoners, and this raises a question
as 10 what they will do with the York
town men. The purpose Of officials here
Is TO spare no effort 10 secure the speedy
release OF our men.
EFFORT TO END THE WAR.
MANILA. April 1S-6I5 p. MA num-
Der of prominent and wealthy Filipinos |
are organizing a committee 10 take steps |
TO bring about. IL possible. an understand |
ing between the rebels and the Ameri- |
cans one branch OF this committee in |
tends 10 ask the United States-Philippine !
commission 10 make a statement as TO |
what terms will be offered the rebels. If |
the latter will surrender. Another branch |
Of the committee will approach Agui- |
naldo with the terms, and will endeayOr |
to persuade him 10 accept them.
II Is considered doubtful. however. II |
any members Of the committee will dare
to personally confer with the rebel leader. |
The committee includes several persons
recently condemned to death by Agui- |
naldo for petitioning him TO cease fight
ms.
BOARD OK WAR CLAIMS.
Maior-General Otis has appointed a
board. headed by Colonel Crowder. TO
deal with war claims. Many such claims |