The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-06-16
DEATH OF LUNA DOUBTED
AMERICANS RECONNOITRE IN
DIRECTION OF MUS.
SPANISH PR s0NeRs JOIN OUR TROOPS
Belief that Filipino Peace Negotiation Was a
II. Trick 10 Gain Time. Luna Compared
Our Struggle for lndepen-
dence 10 Theirs,

Manila, June 15.-5:50 p. m.-Captain
Gable. of General Wheaton's staff. with
three companies of the Twenty-frst
regiment reconnoitered in the direction
of linus. The rebels, who were appar-
emily expecting an attack retired, leav-
ing behind them twenty Spanish prison
>ers who joined the Americans.
The rebels have probably gone to the
mountains along the lake.
According to native stories, the rebels
carried 100 dead and 800 wounded
through Bacoor after the recent battle.
The natives are now flooding into
Bacoor. and it is probable there are
many soldiers in plain clothes among
them. The whole section is practically
without food, and Major General Otis
has ordered the distribution of rice and
beef to the inhabitants.
Many people still refuse to credit the
story of the assassination of General
Luna by the guard at Aguinaldo's head
quarters, though the reports to that eff
feet are most circumstantial and from
good sources. Rumors of assassinations
and disasters from the rebel camp are
so frequently printed in the local papers
that they have come to be regarded
with Indifference. The latest is that the
Governor of Cebu has been killed by
natives because of his friendship to
Americans.
A prominent commercial man with ex-
ceptional means of learning of the Fill
pinO's movements claims to know Gen
eral Luna is still alive, adding that if he
We're dead and if his death occurred a
month ago people would have expected
a collapse of the revolution to follow.
The failure Of the Filipinos to follow
up the peace negotiations strengthens
the impression that their overtures We're
merely to gain time and in order to lure
the Americans to show their hands.
The Independencia, revolutionary
organ of May Goth, a copy Of which has
just been obtained, prints an interview
with General Luna showing the argu-
ments he used to keep up the spirits Of
his followers. He represents the Fill
pino cause as prospering. because the
Americans have gained only hundredth
part of LuZon by hard fighting" and
says the women and children tilling the
fields within the American lines give
proceeds of their work to support the
Filipino army. He is said to have furth-
er remarked:
More Americans will be killed by
ambuscade, surprises and disease than
in battles.
Il detest war, but we cannot accept
peace at any price but independence.
The Americans suffered for their own
independence, and in their own hearts
they appreciate why we resist them.'
THINK TWILL SOON BE OVER
Washington. June 15.-The War De
partment officials feel greatly encour-
aged over the dispatch from General Otis
today and think that the heavy fighting
will soon be over. Information which
has been received indicating that the
source. of supply of ammunition and arms
for the Filipinos has been located and
that this supply viii now be cut off. it
is said. will result in disaster to the Fill
ipino army.
AN AMIGO KILLED AT CEBU.
Washington, June 15.-rhe War De-
partment bulletins the following
Manila. June ID.
'Adjutant General. Washington:
prominent Filipino, friendly to Amer
leans, assassinated at Cebn. Fnhabi-
tants that locality urgently requested
American protection i'm stronger force.
Have sent battalion Tennessee and two
guns from Iloilo, which insllres peace
Hughes now i'm charge of affairs in that
section.
(Signed) .sOT1S.