The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1899-10-07
|ASURGENT PRISONS OPEN
AFTER MONTHS OF WAITING.
Fourteen Of the Brave Boys Return ts
Their Own Line--were Treated Mor-
Like Guests Than Prisoners-Fate NJ
Lieut. Gilmore stiu Undscaaed.

Manila, Sept. 3l.-This has been an
eventful day with the northern outposts
Of the American army at Angeles Ear
ly this morning the Filipino peace com
mission appeared. The American prison
ers followed Then commission of
three Spaniards to negotiate for the re
lease OF the Spanish prisoners departed
up the railroad with a Ietinue of ser
wants and buffalo carts carrying their
baggage.
AT san Fernando the train carrying the
commission and prisoners to Manila met
a special carrying Major General Otis and
Generals l-awton, Bates and Schwan to
Angeles on tour OF inspection.
A party OF correspondents and photog-
raphers waited in the trench OF the Amer
lean outpost before the wrecked bridge
across the river separating the two armies
and at 3 O'Clock a group came down the
track waving handkerchiefs on a bamboo
and halted before the brigade. A bugle
then sounded the Attention and Major
Shields Of General Wheaton's staff and
five soldiers with raised handkerchiefs
picked their way across the bridge. The
Filipinos introduced themselves: "Gener-
young man of 81, veteran of the Spanish
rebellion; Lieutenant Colonel Orino and
Major Ortis, the latter of German blood
and speaking English fiuently. There
soon appeared second party OF IL
Americans, marching between two files
OF insurgent soldiers. They looked the
picture OF health aud were dressed in new
Filipino uniforms of blue gingnam and
were carrying monkeys and other pres
ents from their Filipino friends.
Then Joe Wheeler, being anxious to see
the tihpinos, forded the river with cor
porai. General Wheeler shook hands with
che tilipinos and there was a general ex-
change of greetings, while the photograph
ers piled their vocation across the track
The tile of barefooted Filipino soldiers
curiously surveyed the line OF stalwart
American sentinels whose physique CON
trasted strongly with the little brown
men, who looked too little for their guns.
General Wheeler, who had no official con
nection with the incident, returned to Gen
eral MacArthur and General Wheaton,
who appeared at the other end of the
bridge. The commissioners and prison
ers forded the river, dismounted and sa-
luted. General MacArthurs first inquiry
was for Lieutenant Gilmore's party and
General Alejandrius replied vaguely that
"they were in the north"
Treated Almost IA Guests.
The prisoners unanimously praised their
treatment. One man said; "We have been
given the best the country afforded, fine
houses for quarters, servants, good food,
plenty Of wine and a money allowance.
Aguinaldo visited US and shook hands-
Three Of the boys refused to shake hands
with him"
Judging from the stories of the prison
ers they have been honized by the Fill
pinos. They report that five sailors Of
Naval Cadet Woods party arrived at Tar
lac Wednesday. Though small Importance
il attached to their judgment, they agree
in saying that the Fihpinos all say that
they 'are tired OF war, but viii fight for
independence TO the last"
The released soldiers also say the idea
! OF independence has taken a firm hold on
the Filipinos and they threaten, if con
quered, to eXterminate the Americans by
assassination. Aguinaldo seemed popular
among all the people the prisoners met
They say the country is full of rich rice
| crops. All the prisoners have stories of
interesting experiences Those captured
at Caloocan were marched along the rail.
roads at night through towns occupied by
the Americans.