Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-02-23
ACRES OF BUILDINGS BURNED.
Last Night One of Terror to Resident.
of Manila,

OF Manila.
MANILA, February 3D. $50 am.-Last
night was one of terror to thousands Of
the inhabitants of Ma Mia, the rebels MAX
ing good their oft-repeated threats to the
extent of burning acres of buildings,
wounding an officer and three men by fir
ing through windows during the excite
ment.
At s o'clock an incendiary fire occurred
in block of brick buildings occupied by
Chinese, on the Gale Lacoste, in the Santa
Cruz district.
A stiff breeze was blowing. and the in
hammabiiity Of the structures caused the
blaze to spread with alarming rapidity.
The city fire department was hopelesslv
incompetent, and the English volunteer
brigade from Santa Mesa was summoned.
and, with modern engine pumping ade-
quate streams from the canal. succeeded
after four hours work in getting the blaze
under control
Meantime the entire block and the great
or part of two others across the street
were completely Quilted.
Natives Move Their Goods.
The Chinese and natives lined the adj
jacent streets. while hundreds more. fear
ing a general confagratfon, removed their
furniture and other portable goods in every
direction. within a radius OF d quarter of
a mile, when the alarm was first given
Gen Hughes personally superintendent
the police arrangements. The whole city
was thoroughly patrolled and guards were
doubled Every available man was dis
patched 10 the region of the fire.
lmpediments were placed in the way of
the hremen and the hose was cut 1--WE diff
ferent times. This resulted in all the ma
uves being driven Oft the streets. those in
the immediate vicinity of the blaze being
eorralled In vacant lots and guarded until
the excitement was over
In many instances the natives were inso-
lent 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.
Danger From Electric Wires.
The danger from live electric light wires
necessitated the closing of the circuit I'm
the burning region, and the only light I'm
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 natives are thickest, and when the fire.
men and soldiers attempted to work a regti-
lar fusillade of rifle and revolver shots was
fired from the windows and roofs of the
buildings
The firemen. escorted by soldiers. pro-
ceeded to clean out the houses while the
fire was unheeded. The 18th Minnesota
Were reinforced by attachments from the
Sd Infantry, the I'd Oregon, the Sd Artil-
lery and the 10th Pennsylvania Bullets
flew in every direction i'm almost every
street In the Tondo and Binondo districts
causing the most intense excitement
Capt. Robinson of Company c, 18th Min
nesota, and three men were wounded.
Panic Among Hotel Guests.
Many timid persons. imagining that the
rebels had effected an entrance through the
American lines and We're advancing into the
city, hurried franticalIy from their hotels
and houses. only to be stopped at the first
corner by guard. The sounding of a ma
tive bugle call, Immediately preceding the
firing, lent color 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 dis
trict. sweeping away rows of houses and
devastating acres of territory.
The damage was inestimable. With day.
light punitive measures We're decided upon
and the Americans, though tired after their
sleepless nights work, soon cleared the dis
trict of every native after a slight resist
ance.