The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1899-04-20
NAVAL MEN TRAPPED.
Landing Party Captured by
Rebels in Luzon.
GONE TO RESCUE SPANTARDS.
Anxiety in Washington as to the Ameri-
cans Fate-Admiral Dewey Sent the
News-Commlssioners of Fnipinos Pro-
posed to Try to Arrange Peace.

WASHINGTON, April 19.-The navy de-
partment gave out the following dis
patch from Admiral Dewey:
"MANGLA, April l8.
Secretary Of Navy, Washington!
1.-THE Yorktown visited Baler, Luzon,
east coast of Luzon, p. l., April 10, for
the purpose Of rescuing and bringing
away the Spanish forces, consisting of
so soldiers, three officers and two priests,
which were surrounded by 400 insur.
gents. Some of the insurgents armed
with Mauser rifles
"By natives. Lieutenant J. O. Gil.
more while making am
bushed were fired upon and captured.
communicate afterward. The follow
ing are missing: The officer previously
referred to, Chief Quartermaster w
Walton, Coxswain J. Ellsworth, Gun.
ner's Mate II. J. Hygar, Sailmaker's
and O. w. Woodbury., Apprentices ID.
w. A. Venville, A. j. Peterson, Ordin-
ary Seamen f. Brisolese, o. B. McDon-
derson, j. Dillon and o. Morrissey.
"[Signed, "DEwEY."
The asterisks denotes portions of the
dispatch which could not be deciphered.
That the capture should have been
effected while the American forces were
on mission of mercy toward the Spans
iards, rather in the prosecution of a
campaign, led to the belief that Spain
would have no further ground for ques-
tioning the good faith with which the
-
condition Of the Spanish prisoners.
Although the dispatch gave no indica-
tion that Lieutenant Gilmore and his
men had lost their lives, yet great anXi-
ETY. was aroused by the mystery sur
rounding their fate while i'll the hands
of an uncivilized enemy. This is the
first capture Of any Americans, military
or naval, so that 1t is unknown how the
insurgents will treat our men. If civ
ilized methods were pursued an OK
change could be quickly effected, as
General Otis has a large number of
Filipinos prisoners, but the insurgents
have been averse thus far to exchanging
Spanish prisoners, and this raises a
question as to what they will do with
the Yorktown's men. The purpose of
officials here is to spare no effort to
secure the speedy release of our men.
MANILA, April ia number of
prominent and wealthy Filipinos were
organizing a committee to take steps to
bring about, if possible, an understand
ing between the rebels and the Ameri-
cans. One branch of this committee in
tended to ask the United States Philip
pine commission to make a statement as
to what terms would be offered the reb-
els if the latter would surrender.
Another branch of the committee will
approach Aguinaldo with the terms and
will endeavOr to persuade him to accept
them. 1t was considered doubtful, how
ever, if any members Of the committee
would dare to personally confer with
the rebel leader.
The committee included several per-
sons recently condemned to death by
Aguinaldo for petitioning him to cease
fighting.
Major General Otis has appointed
board, headed by Colonel Crowder, to
deal with the war claims. Many such
claims have been filed, aggregating
millions of dollars, particularly as a re-
suit Of the Iloilo fire. Major General
Otis, who has hitherto handled these
claims, is unable to devote any of his
time to them now.
General Lawton ordered Colonel
Whalley Of the Washington regiment,
who is lieutenant in the regular army,
to command General Kings brigade
during the latter's illness.