The Mena star., 1899-03-08

MemDerT or the NOmtDlsRiOu at Manila
 Their Duties Advisory-The Military
 Government tc Re Continued.
 Manila, March 8.-The engagement of yesterday in which 80 rebels were killed near the reservoir, was renewed this morning. After the insurgents had been driven eff last night from in front of Mariquinao they came back 300 strong and cut off company of the First Nebraska volunteers. This morning Gen. Hale sent out three com- panies of the Nebraska regiment and two companies of the Second Oregon to dislodge them. The enemy, who were holding strong position among the rocks, fired excellent volleys at the advancing Americans, but the lat ter, by a flank movement. drove the Filipinos over the hills No sooner was this fight well under way than water works, knowing that the forces there had been weakened by sending troops to Mariquinao, attacked the water works in the rear. Their ob- ject was to cut off the pumping sta tion, but they did not succeed. The fire was heavy and our small loss was due solely to the bad craftsmanship of the Filipinos The enemy's dead numbered 20. Returns now in show five Americans wounded.
 The insurgents are placing guns in position at various points. The opin- ion of all the prominent men in Ma nila is that the military force of the insurgent oligarchy must be broken before stable government can be es- tablished in the islands At daylight this morning the enemy were discov- cred trying to mount gun across the river from San Pedro and the Sixth ar tillery promptly shelled the rebel bat tery. Temporarily stopping work, the enemy poured fusillade of mus ketry across the river, but gunboat moved up and cleared the banks of the stream with rapid fire guns. App parently the Filipinos have secured new supply of smokeless ammunition recently, as there has been notice able difference in their firing during the last few days.
 
 Washington, March S.-Renewed 8. in- terest in the situation in the Philip pines is awakened by the establishment at Manila of the civilian memb bers of the commission which has been desig- mated by the president to represent him in the archipelago. The specula- tion regarding the duties of this com mission and the authority it will have in the colonial government, are set at rest by the publication of the order is- sued by the president to the secretary of state. It will be noted that the mil itary government of the islands under Gen. Otis will be continued without interference until congress makes other provisions and that the commis- sion's powers, while important, are very largely advisory. The order says:
 In the performance of this duty the commis- sioners are enjoined to meet at the earliest possible day in the city of Manila and to an- nounce by public proclamation their presence and the mission ntrusted to them. carefully setting forth that, while the military govern ment already proclaimed is to be maintained and continued so long as necessity may require efforts will be made to alleviate the burden of taxation to establish industrial and eommer- cial prosperity and to provide for the safety of persons and of property by such means as may pc found conductive of these ends.
 The commissions will endeavor, without in- reference of the military Authorities of the United States now in 2 vrol of the Philip pines, to ascertain what amelioration in the condition of the inhabitants and what improve ments in public order may be practicable, and TOT this purpose they will study attentively the existing official and political state Of the vari- ous populations, particularly as repards the iorms of local government the administration or justice the collection of customs and other taxes. the means of transportation md the need of public improvements.
 The temporary government of the islands IS intrusted to the military authorities and will continue until congress shall determine other wise
 Insofar as immediate personal changes in the CIVIL administration may seem to be advisable the commissioners are empowered to recom- mend suitable persons for appointment to tnese offices from among the inhabitants or .ne Islands who have previously acknowledged tneir allegiance to this government