The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-10-19
A MESSAGE 10 MANILA
IT'S. AUTHENTICITY is A MAT
TER OF DOUBT.
ANOTHER REPORT REGARDING Pillar
Plan 10 Break Through the Lines at Manila and
Seize Otis and The Arch Bishop,
Probable Object of this
Report

Manila, October 1S.-S:55 A. NJ
General Otis has received messages pur-
porting to come from the insufgent
General Pho Del Pillar, offering to sell
out his army and to deliver Aguinaldo
into the hands Of the Americans. AL
though he is not satisfied that this of
fer is authentic. it is not improbable.
The policy of General Otis is firmly set
against buying any surrenders.
Pic Del Pillar offers for the sum of
100000 to refrain from attacking Ma
Mia with his army; for the sum of $3.50
900 to surrender his army after sham
battle. both sides firing into the air and
for the sum of 100000 he says he will
procure the overthrow OF the insurrec-
ton and the capture of Aguinaldo, Ia.
terno and the other leaders.
In the course of the communication
he refers TO Aguinaldo in contemptuous
terms, indicating that strained relations
exist between them.
Reports are being received from the
districts occupied by the enemy that the
Filipinos believe that Pho Del Pillar has
an audacious plan to break through
the American lines into Manila and
seize General Otis and the Archbishop.
Possibly these rtinors were started with
an idea of helping him TO make a deal
with the Americans.
1t is unnecessary to say that the
Americans would welcome an attack of
that sort. There has been much specu-
lation of late regarding the whereabouts
of Pic Del Pillar. The recent attack at
La Iona is credited TO his men. 1t is
believed That he is now in the vicinity
OF San Mateo Valley with force of
from 1890 to 1900 men,
Ten former Spanish soldiers who were
captured by the Filipinos. and for a time
acted as officers and members of a
Filipino artillery regiment located in
the vicinity of Santa Rosa, in the la
guna de Bay district determined to sur
render the artillery to the Americans.
The plot was discovered by the Filipinos
who killed seven of the conspirators,
the other three making their escape to
Manila
1t appears that when the surrender
was determined upon the Spaniards
delegated one of their number to pro
coed to Manila and to propose to Gem
eral Otis to surrender, after a pre-ar-
ranged mock battle. about twelve pieces,
including Krupp and Nordenfeldt rapid
fire guns, well supplied with ammunition
from the Lipa Powder factory, in ex-
change for certain sums to be paid the
Spaniards who were to be pardoned
for carrying arms against the Ameri-
cans and to be transported to Spain.
The delegate left Santa Rosa and.
accompanied by three Filipinos, entered
the American lines at Calamba. The
Filipinos did not proceed far, deciding
to await his return at a given time.
As the delegate was detained in Ma
Mia longer than they had expected
they grew suspicious and returned to
Santa Rosa.
The plot was then revealed and the
remaining Spaniards were attacked. The
gunbeait Napidan, coasting near Santa
Rosa. perceived two men on the beach
hurredly embarking in a canoe and
pushing out toward them, she took them
on board. and they reported that the
Iilipinos on discovering the plot to sur
render the artillery had cut the throats
of seven of their Spanish companions
and that theyA themselves had barely
escaped with their lives.