The Hawaiian gazette., 1899-07-18
mANIlA'S LATEST
Release Of Spanish Prisoners
About Arranged For.
GENERAL WHEELER TO the FRONT
Spanish Survivors at ssIev Lior
txsd -Ceusvsi Luus's Asssssin
Goes Free.
GENERAL WHEELER TO the FRONT

spduien 'ouIlissioueTs, VIII went W
Tarlac for a conference with AguinaI-
do regarding the surrender of the
Spanish prisoners In the hands of the
Filipinos, returned here last night.
Chairman Del Rio OF the Commission
said the release Of all the prisoners
had been practically arranged for, but
It would be necessary to consult the
Spanish Government before the agree
ment could be ratified. He declined
to give the terms OF the arrangement
or to say whether these contemplated
a ransom. He asserted. however, that
Aguinaldo had already issued decree
for the release Of the civilian officials
and the sick soldiers.
The Commissioners. with the rem
nant Of the Spanish garrison of Baler,
on the east coast Of LuZOn, and num-
ber Of civilian prisoners, were escorted
by Filipino soldiers from Tarlac to the
American outpOsts at San Fernando
and came to Manila by the night train.
The heroes of the long defense OF
Baler, where the Spaniards resisted an
insurgent siege for more than q year,
formed picturesque band. Lieuten-
ant Martin. the only surviving officer,
marched them through the streets.
There were only twenty-five and most
OF them are mere boys, in faded blue
cotton uniforms and red shirts. They
were barefooted.
A crowd OF Spanish men and women
embraced them, weeping and shouting
their praises. They tell remarkable
story. 1t appears that the Captain
several times proposed to surrender,
but the soldiers refused. Finally, some
months ago, he tried to raise white
flag. Thereupon Lieut.. Martin killed
him with his own sword.
Their food supply gave out entirely
a week ago and they surrendered to
the Filipinos with all the honors of
war. They were allowed to keep their
arms and they say they marched from
Baler with Filipino escort and carry
| ing guns through several insurgent
camps. everywhere being cheered and
feted.
WASHINGTON. July 6.-Brigadier
General Joseph Wheeler was today Or
dered to report to Gen. Otis at Manila
for service in the Philippine islands.
The sending OF Gen. Wheeler to Ma
1 Mia completes the list Of brigadiers
now necessary in the Philippines and
puts an end to all rumOrs that Harri-
! son Gray Otis of California will return
to service in the field. On the contrary,
: 1t was settled while the latter was here
: that he would be shortly mustered out
! OF the service.
NEW YORK, July Ga Sun cable
from Manila says: Spanish Commits
sioners report that the American pris-
oners held by the insurgents have been
sent to Vigan, in llOcas Sur province
on the northwest coast of LuzOn.
MANILA. July THE Spanish col
ony here are lionizing the survivors
; of the Spanish garrison of Baler. on
the east coast of Luzon. who returned
here last night with the Spanish Com
missioners sent to treat with the Fill
pinos for the surrender of the Spanish
prisoners. A dozen banquets have
been arranged in their honor and a
subscription has been started for their
relief. Lieut.. Martin, the only surviy-
, ing officer of the garrison, denies the
story that he killed Capt. Morenas. the
Spanish officer who commanded al
Baler, because he tried to raise white
! flag. Martin says the Captain died o
, beri-beri.
The transport Churroca is to take
Gen. Bates to the Sulu islands on &
! diplomatic mission. He will arrang,
, Il basis for friendly understanding
, with the Sultan of Sulu. who claims I,
be friendly to Americans. Under the
i. Sultan's treaty with Spain he received
"A subsidy.
Gen. Wheaton is to take commant
). of Gen. Hale's brigade at San Fernan
do. Gen. Hale Is returning to thu
United States with the Colorado Regi
ment.
MANILA, July Z. 1880 =. M.-Th'
trial at Cabunatuan of the slayers o
Gen. Luna. the Filipino leader, wht
, was assassinated by the guard of Ag
. uinaldo's residence. Is ended. The ac
cused were acquitted on the ground o
self-defense. The testimony Shove,
there was a conspiracy on the part o
y Luna and other officers to kill Agui
!. naldo and make Luna dictator. Luna
death seems to have strengthened Ag
p uinaldo's leadership for the time
: Lunas supporters are now outwardl,
loyal TO Aguinaldo.