Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-11-08


| two companies of insurgents and killing
several Filipino officers. The Americans
suffered no loss.
Greeting From Negroes officials.
Gen. Otis today sent the following cable
gram to the War Department. transmitting
the salutation to the President of the execu-
tive officers of the new government of the
Island of Negroes:
MANILA, November T. 1899.
"Adjutant General Washington:
The following received from Negroes,
dated today:
% TO the President of the United States:
The civil governor counselors, Judges
and secretaries who constitute the new
government of this island in taking pos
session of their offices this day have the
high honor of affectionately saluting your
excellency, and trust that in the Inaugural
ton of this form of government. based upon
the liberal and democratic institutions
which have made that great republic so
grand and prosperous, new era will open
up to this region which will enable it to
reach the legitimate goal of its aspirations
"'MEMECIO SEVERINO.'
"(Signed) OTIS"
Departure of the 39th.
Gen. Shafter, at San Francisco. has noti-
fed the War Department of the sailing of
the transports Olympia and Pennsylvania
fl ON Portland, Greg, with the 39th Volun-
teers, and two companies of the 45th Vol
unteers, and recruits. These transports
were delayed at the mouth of the Columbia
about twenty-four hours by rough weather.
The Grant Sails From Manila.
Gen. Otis has informed the War Depart
ment of the sailing of the transport Grant
from Manila on the It'll instant for San
Francisco.
Soldiers Under Sentence of Death.
The four cases of court-martial death
sentence of soldiers in the Philippines,
which reached the War Department by
yesterdays Manila mail, are awaiting
action by the President The men under
sentence are Private Otto r. Conine, Cor
pCral Geo. Damphoffer and Private Peter
Bennett, all of Company B. 10th Infantry,
and Private VIM. E. Scarborough, Com
pany b, Sd Infantry. These cases will have
to go to the Secretary of War, and thence
to the President for approval. Executive
action cannot be forecasted but it is gener-
ally understood that in case the sentences
are not considered by the President, it is
more than likely that the attorneys for the
convicted men will be able to find some
technical flaws in the proceedings as will
prevent the imposition of the extreme PEN
atty. 1t is understood also that Gen. Otis
approval Of the sentences was coupled with
a recommendation for mercy. The general
had the right to approve or dfsapproYe the
sentence in toto, but not to mitigate It, AZ
The Capture of POrac.
Late mail advfces received at the War
Department from the Philippines show that
the long-looked-for advance of the left
wing of the north line has at last taken
place. with the result that the town of
Porac and its surrounding territory are in
the hands of the Americans This result
was accomplished by three distinct opera
tons, by which the left of the line was
brought parallel to the right. which rested
on the town of Angeles. Two distinct col
|
self but merged into one before reaching
their objective point. The advance of Gen.
MacArthur3 column was a running fight
from the start. Little resistance was en-
countered, however, and the only delay was
occasiorsed in taking the artillery across
the streams in the line of march. Porac,
while very well entrenched, was very poor
ly defended. The artillery was engaged
briefly, and the town was taken with prac-
tically no determined fighting on the part
of the insurgents.
Rate of Exchange.
The rate of exchange in Manila recently
jumped up with rapidity that caused
somewhat of a sensation on the market.
Heretofore merchants and others who had
American gold in exchange for Mexican
or Filipino silver have been able to secure
only SOP, and at one time the banks
threatened to pay less than 81 for one
American dollar AT that time Maj.
Charles Mcclure, the chief paymaster,
stepped IN ana projected the soldiers, WHO
are all paid in gold. by announcing that
his office would exchange two pesos for one
gold silver or paper American dollar: This
enabled the merchants to continue the ex-
change of two for one, as formerly, and
the rate of exchange again resumed its
normal condition at the banks. Maj. Nc
Clure took up the question with the au-
thorities at Washington, and to such adj
vantage that the soldiers and the mer-
| chants were enabled to receive S2.oo Mexi-
can for an American dollar, whether paper,
gold or silver. Later S2.06 was paid with
every indication that the rate would rise to
S207 AS a result of the efforts of Maj.
Mcclure, the private soldier in the field is
now able to exchange his monthly pay of
S156O American for -St2. ID Mexican or Fill
pino money, where formerly he received
but S31.50.
Word comes from Manila of the promo
ton of First Lieut.. William Brook of the
| 4th Cavalry to be a major in the 18th In
| fantry and First Lieut.. Robert j SeWen of
| the Tth Cavalry, son of Senator w. j. Sew
| ell of New Jersey, to be captain and
quartermaster
Liberation OF Prisoners.
| recent copy of the Gaceta de Filipnas
Aguinaldo's official organ, received at the
War Denartm contains a manifesto in