Abilene weekly reflector., 1899-11-23
A MIDNIGHT ATTACK.
Capt. Byrne Tells About Destruction
Of a Bandit Village In Negros.
REVENUE COMMISSIONERS DECISION
The President and the Secretary Of War
Discuss the Latter's Annual Report
An Order About Private
Postal Cards.

Washington, Nov. 91.-The war de-
partment has made public report
Of Capt B. F. Byrne, Sixth infantry,
giving an account OF the attack and
destruction Of bandit village in the
La Carlotta district, island of Negros,
last July. The account is very inter-
esting chapter of the American occupa-
tion Of the Philippines. This band Of
marauders was intrenched in the fast
nesses of the mountains. They were
well organized and armed. All precau-
tions had been made against an attack.
On all sides which it was supposed
could be reached by troops the camp
was guarded by block houses Capt
Byrne with something over 100 men
went out to destroy this bandit camp.
He was aware that 1t was necessary to
surprise them and this could only be
accomplished by approaching from the
side which was deemed impossible Of
ascent. The march was difficult and
the approach to the camp was per-
formed in the night. 1t was reached
in the early morning and at once at
tackled. The bandits largely outnum-
bered the Americans and were fighting
from behind cover. For two hours
there was very desperate engagement
and only the pluck and valor of the
American soldiers enabled them to
secure the victory. The number OF
bandits killed largely exceeded the
American force, while there was no
means of ascertaining the number Of
wounded. Finally those who could
get away escaped, leaving all their
property behind them. The village
was destroyed as was the property
that could not be carted away. The
men had climbed a mountain side at
night; they fought without their
breakfasts against superior odds and
upon an almost unknown ground.
DECISIONS BY REVENUE cOMMIssI oNER
Washington, Nov. 2l.-The commits
sioner Of internal revenue has rendered
a decision in which he holds that every
bank Except savings bank coming
within the provision Of the statute) is
required to pay special tax, though no
capital is employed in its business. A
political tax was to be paid
for every branch bank or separate
place at which the business of banking
is carried on. The commissioner has
also decided that where the distribu-
tion Of legacies or distribu tive shares
requires documents taxable according
to other provisions of the act Of
June 1S, 1898, the documents should be
stamped regardless Of the payment of
a legacy tax. A decision, too, was
made that an executor or trustee
should rot pay the legacy taxes on life
interests or interests for given period
annually. The whole tax in such in
terests must be paid at one time.
DISCUSSED WAR sEcRErARY's REPORT.
Washington. Nov. 2l.-The secretary
Of war spent over two hours with the
president yesterday discussing his an
nual report, on which report will be
based some Of the most important sec
tons Of the presidents message to con-
gress 1t is understood that this sec
tion Of the message will be held open
AS long as possible awaiting develop
ments in the Philippines which may
change the status Of the situation al
most any day. The other sections Of
The message are nearly completed, but
10 finish the message before congress
meets will call for large amount Of
hard work. ..