The silver blade. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1895-1903, 1899-03-25
FIGHTING on NECROS ISLAND
THREATEN TO MAKE TROUBLE.
Twenty ThOusand Natives ON the Fight
Planters Are Alarmed-They Ask Aid
OF Gen. Miller-Quiet In Manila-Rebels
May Observation-Disclosures Arrive.

May Attack-ketnfOrceme Arrive.
Manila, March 22.-Reports of fighting
in the island Of Negros, without any par
ticulars, have reached Manila. The trans
port India is leaving now for Negros with
one battalion Of the First California.
A scare is reported in the island Of Ne
gros. Upward of 60 refugee Spanish
planters have arrived at lloilo and state
that a native tribe, 10000 strong, living
on the Montescos river, 20 miles south Of
Bacolada, threaten to destroy the hacien.
das and crops. They have few firearms
but are mostly equipped with spears and
bows.
The Spaniards requested arms from
General Miller TO defend themselves and
their property.
There is no change in the situation here.
The wounded men are recovering.
While apparently inactive since Sun.
day, really the opposite has been the
case with the American forces.
Reorganization, entailing many changes
has been in progress since the abandon
ment OF the flying column. General
Wheaton and General Hale's brigades
have not been assigned, but the Oregon
regiment, the Minnesota regiment and
the Twenty y-second regiment have been
concentrated at the camp on the Lunette
at the water front in readiness for imme.
diate transportation when the plans Of
the military leaders have been formu.
lated.
Aguinaldo May Attack.
Our troops are entrenched and the Eit'
uation is practically unchanged. The in
surgents have refrained from making any
attack recently and it appears the rebels
are saving their ammunition for decis
i've movement.
According to prisoner captured by
our troops, Aguinaldo has announced that
he will personally conduct the reserves
20 days unless the Americans withdraw
in the meantime. The concentration ol
rebel forces in the vicinity Of Malolos
gives color to the statement OF the pris
oner.
Advices received from Cebu by coast
ing steamer say everything is quie'
there.
The United States transport Sherman
from New York February 3, has arrived
here. Two sailors and two privates dice
on the voyage and one man was drowned
in the Mediterranean.
More Reinforcements.
Washington, March 22-Additiona
reinforcements reached General Otis a
Manila this morning as is indicated by thu
receipt OF dispatch from General OtiI
saying that the transport Sherman hat
arrived with the troops in good condition
These three vessels will add about 5OOl
fresh regular troops to the military force
n the Philippine islands who are expectet
to aid materially in the plans which con
template the complete subjugation Of thu
insurgents before the opening Of the rain.
season about the middle OF April.
Address of the Commission.
The address to the natives Of the Phil
ppine islands, drafted by the American
commission, in behalf Of the United State
government, and embodying the views o
the president, has been made public
Alter being translated into all the nativ'
dialects, it is to be disseminated through
out the archipelago.
The Spanish Prisoners.
Major General Otis and the other mem
bers of the Philippine commission will de
eide whether or not the ransom of tn
Spanish prisoners held by Aguinaldo i
to be permitted. AS result Of representa-
tions Of Ambassador Cambon and the Ma
tional Red Cross, showing the deplorabl
condition OF the prisoners, General OH
will be empowered to act after advisin
with his associates on the commission.