The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1899-03-22
Truth About Situation
in the Philippines.
style of Warfare That is Cal.
culated to Wear Out Our
Soldiers.

Soldiers.
Hong Kong, March 1.-THE fol.
lowing general view of the situation
is from a correspondent of the Asso-
ciated Press at Manila, and has
evidently not been subjected to cen
sorship /:
The most remarkable feature of
the situation is the inability of the
Americans and residents to estimate
the numoers, resources and plans of
the Filipinos Prominent generals
think that two or three battles will
break their spirit and make them sue
for terms. A majority Of English
ard other residents are OF the opinion
that the extermination of the Tagalos
is the only guarantee of peace that
they can easily be whipped if they
give battle, but that they will dodge
a meeting with the Americans in
force.
s Some people think they will risk
battles at. Malabon and Paranaque,
where they are strongly entre1ched,
and that if they are defeated they
will resume buehwhackiDg as long as
any Of them are left.
United States Consul Williams
saws 81 don't expect to live to see
the end Of the war
The rebels shift about so much that
it IS impossible TO estimate their
numbers. The correspondent ques-
toned several generals as to the
number of the rebels ard the replies
ranged from 0,O00 to 100000. The
estimate of the quantity Of arms
possessed by the rebels are equally
uncertain. The best authorities ssy
sc, ,0uo. Large sections of the armed
natives are ignorant of the use Of
their weapons
The country beyond the American
lines is rice fields, cane and rush.
The rebels are familiar with every
inch of it, aud it sffords fine hiding
places.
The residents say the Tagalos are
unanimously rebels, and they predict
the Americans will be resisted in the
islands Of Mindoro and Mindanao and
that they will be obliged to subdue
them.
The extent of the support which
the other Luzon tribes are giving
Aguinaldo is q mystery. 1t IS known
that several regiments were under
arms before the outbreak, but the
majority of them are supposed to be
jealous of the Tagalos. who are
reported to be treating the other
tribes in the fashion of the Spaniards,
dominating the island and holding all
the Offices
Reports from the rebels are to the
effect that the recent tactics Of the
Americans il retiring to their estab-
Iished lines after pursuing, makes
the rebels think they are winning
victories.
The Oriental character is so de-
ceptiye that the residents of Manila
are ignorant as to whether their own
servants sympashize with the rebels
or not. It 10 known that rebel
organIzation exists in the city, and
the evidence is growing. that there
was widespread plot to assassina.e
the Americans, the signal being the
commencement of hostilities. The
servants were instructed to kill their
employers but they we're terrorized
by the vengeance dealt out TO offend.
ers, and they weakened. Every Tag
alo would have cut his employers
throat if he dared-or at least this is
current saying
The faithlessDess of the natives is
illustrated by the action of the com.
missiouers who came here to offer
the allegiance of the island ofNegros
1t is now known that they were in
friendly Communication with Agui.
naldo while here.
THEY GET AMMUNITION.
Tie rebels have been re supplied
with ammaDision aud are us:ag
srneseless powder.
Nearly every house here displays
foreigo asg for protection, whether it Is
eusitied to it or not. All flags except
the Spauisb flag are seen From the
native huts hang white towels or shirts
The natives working 10 the fields
plant a white fsg 90 bamboo as
protection against being mistaken for