The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-02-24

Satisfactory Conference with Commits
sicners from the Ncgros-NidcspreaA
Ineendiarfsm In Mantla-Fighting In
the Strcets-Many Insurgents KtlieA

INV ShNSsSks1y hosuE& &Cnhs
Manila, February 2?-while the guns
on the city walls and those on board
the ships OF Rear Admiral Dewey's
fleet in the bay fired n salute in honor
OF Washington's birthday, four COM
missioners from the island OF Negroes
had an interview with Major General
Otis and informed him that the Amer
lean flag had already been raised over
that island and that it's inhabitants
were ready, anxious and willing 10 ac-
cept any proposition the Americans
might offer. The insurgents have been
driven from the island entirely
Although the Iloilo rebels have given
the people OF Negros much trouble. es-
pecially in the matter OF financial as
sistance demanded by the rebel leaders,
the inhabitants OF Negros have per-
sistently held aloof and now, through
the commissioners, announce that they
want the advice and help Of General
Otis. The latter assured them that the
Americans would provide an accepta-
BILE government, and in the meantime,
he instructed them not to pay Ike
ItDSlS any lHluB. .NSBToS
sioners were delighted with their re-
ception.
The United States cruiser Charleston
is coaling here, preparatory To start
ing on cruise. The gunboat Benning-
ton arrived here today from the island
Of Guam. The transport st. Paul has
, arrived here from Iloilo, but she did
not bring any news Of Importance.
Hong Kong, February 22.-Aguinal-
do has issued a manifesto accepting
the situation caused by the "unexpect-
ed provocation OF the Americans" while
lamenting the hostlities which. he says,
he tried to avoid by every means" in
his power. making humiliating con-
cessions and tolerating insults and out
| RACES of the army OF occupation
| against the people OF Manila"
He adds that he is prepared to sacri-
| fee everything to maintain the integ-
rity OF the national honor, calls upon
all Ito witness the good faith and
| honesty" of his intentions and COM
] plains that he has been treated as n
rebel because 1 defended the national
! interests instead OF American prepos-
| ferrous pretensions."
The rebel leader further alleges that
| the country is unanimously I'm his sup
| port; that the people will perish rath-
er than accept the odious American
dominion" and alleging that even the
corrupt Spanish dominion is prefera-
ble.'
The Philippine commission is con-
sidered by Aguinaldo TO be a farce and
Otis, DENLY, Dewey and Secretary
| Harden are classed as pronounced an
| nexationists," the last being charged
with having "maliciously DETAINED" the
| Philippines in newspaper reports. He
is classed as being especially obnox-
ious to the Philippine government"
Finally Aguinaldo expresses the wish
to proclaim to the world and officially
| dispel the false rumors that Germany
. or any other power has rendered as
| sistance, moral or material" to the
Philippines, adding nor have the Phil
| ippinos solicited it,
ATTEMPTS TO BURN MANILA.
Manila, February 1880 a. m.-Im-
| mense damage has been done by fires
| which are believed to have been start
J ed by insurgents last night. The fire.
department has experienced great DIFF.
fcult In fighting the flames. owing to-
| defective apparatus. II Is reported
that the natives have damaged the ap-
| paratus.
There was some fighting In the streets
during the night, but the Americans
| quickly quelled the uprising. A number
i Of the insurgents were killed and sey-
| eral American soldiers were wounded.
| A large market place was among the
first to burn. Between 600 and 700 res
licences and business houses have been
DESTROYED. Some fires were started at
| several points simultaneously and.
spreading with great rapidity, resisted
all efforts to control them. Hundreds
| or homeless natives are huddled I'm the
| streets, making the patrol duty of the
Americans very difficult.