Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-08-05
OPERATIONS At zAMBoANGA.
Report of Commander Very of the
Gunboat Castine.


The following report of operations at
Zamboango has been received from Conf
mander Very of the gunboat Castine:
United States Naval Force on Asiatic
Station.
L. s. s. Castine, zamboanga. P. T..
May 80. 1899.
Sir: On the oath the Spanish left. 1
main Considerable enthusiasm on board
Leon XIII, all the officers and women ap-
plauding. and the soldiers shouting viva"
Same day l heard from a steamer arrived
from Sulu. that our troops are coming, so
although l have no orders so to do, l de-
cided to remain to support their landing.
The insurgents moved in. Immediately af-
ter the Spanish moved out. They have not
yet shown the insurgent flag.
Sunday, the 18th, the Princeton ar
rived boarded her and gave all the in
formation had, to the United States Sem
ator on board. She left at am. for Sulu.
That same afternoon 1 captured six boats;
Loaded some of them with provisions and
miscellaneous plumber from Zamboanga.
Four of these boats had belonged to the
purchased gunboats probably the Ell Cano.
One OF them is a very large copper-bot-
toned shore boat. about the size of sail
ing launch The sixth was probably the
captain of the ports boat being marked
c. P. on the bow. The occupants of the
boats escaped, with the exception of three,
into the mangroVe bushes. after running
the boats upon the reef. From the three
d
ton concerning the situation ashore I
have the six boats with me ready to deliver
them whenever directed. The large launch
would be useful at Cavite for transporting
stores.
| received a communication asking if
would receive commission of distinguish
ed individuals to discuss questions of in
terest to both parties. 1 replied at once:
L have your letter of this date. asking
that [ will receive a commission of per-
sons of distinction of this province, to treat
of various questions Of common interest to
both parties In reply 1 take pleasure to
invite one and all of the persons of dis
tnction of this province to call on board
the Castine, where they will be well re-
cetVed. But | have authority to make
treaties. | have no right to discuss any
questions which in your opinion may have
arisen between the two alleged parties. /
am here to obey orders, which are imper-
alive and these include prohibition of all
traffic where the authority of the United
States is not recognized and sustained. IN
I'll L see the flag of the United States fly
ing in Zamboanga, and until I know that
the display carries with it recognition of
the authority of my government, / shall
continue to use the power which is con-
hded 20 me to enforce instructions received
from higher authority"
This l addressed to Mr.. Nestors Ar
quiza, Zamboanga. P. L." who however
signed the letter written in Spanish and
addressed to me EN- nombre de la Junta
de Gobierno, Ell Jefe Militar de la plaza,
Nestorio ArQuiZa.' The commission, I pre-
sumo it is, arrived just as l was getting
under way to board this steamer. and they
are now on board waiting to have a talk
with me- Respectfully
SAM. W. VERY,
Commander U. 8. Navy. Commanding.
The Commander-in-Chief, L. S. Naval
Force on Asiatic Station.