The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-03-18
SITUATION AT MANILA.
to Learn the Strength of
the Insurgents.

Impossible co Learn Lne SCIeuSCA VI
the Insurgents.
Hongkong, March 1.-THE following
general view of the situation is from
correspondent of the Associated
Press at Manila and has not been sub
jected to censorship:
The most remarkable feature of the
situation is the inability of the Amer1-
cans and residents to estimate the num-
bers, resources and plans of the Fill
pinos. Prominent generals say that
two or three disastrous battles viii
break their spirit and make terms.
The English and other residents are
of the opinion that the determination
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 American
forces. Some people think they will
risk battles at Maiabon and Varanque,
for they are strongly entrenched, and if
they are defeated, they will resume
bushwhacking as long as any of them
are left.
United States Consul Williams says:
Il 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 num-
bers
The correspondent questioned several
Of the generals as to the number of
the rebels and the replies ranged from
10000 to 100, 600. The estimates of the
quantity of arms possessed by the reb-
els are equally uncertain. The best
authorities say 10000. Large sections
of the armed natives are ignorant of
the use of their weapons.
The country beyond the American
picket lines is rice fields, cane and
brush. The rebels are familiar with
the hiding places. The residents say the
Tagalos are unanimously rebels and
they predict the Americans will be re-
sisted at Mindoro and Hindanao, and
that they will be obliged to subdue
them.
The extent of the support which the
other Luzon tribes are giving Aguin-
aldo is a mystery. 1t is known that
several regiments were under arms be-
fore 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 officers.
Reports from the rebels are to the
effect that the recent tactics of the
Americans in retiring to their estab-
lished lines after pursuing, makes the
rebels think they are winning victory.
PLOT AT MANILA.
The oriental character is so decep-
tive that the residents of Manila are
ignorant as to whether their own SER
wants synpathize with the rebels or
not 1t is known that a rebel organiza-
ton exists in the city and the evidence
is growing that there was a. widespread
plot to assassinate the Americans, the
signal being the commencement of hos
tilities The servants were instructed
to kill their employers; but they were
terrorized by the vengeance dealt out
to offenders and they weakened. Every
Tagalo would have cut his employers
throat if he dared, or at least this is
a current saying.
illustrated by the action of the commits
sioners who come here to offer the al
legiance of the island of Negros 1t is
now known that they were in friendly
communication with Aguinaldo while
here.
The rebels have been re-supp1ied with
ammunition and are using smokeless
powder.
Nearly every house here displays a
foreign flag for protection, whether it is
entitled to it or not All flags except
the Spanish flag are seen- From the
native huts hang white towels or shirts
The natives working in the fields plant
a white flag on a bamboo as a protec-
ton against being mistaken for active
rebels. Every hut between the city and
the American line is a hemp of ashes
The residents are the chief sufferers
from the present state of affairs Food
commodities have doubled and trebIed
in prices, and many lines of business
are at a standstill. After Z O'clock in
the evening a deathhke silence prevails
in the city, except for the footsteps of
the sentries, on their challenges as an
occasional civilian is halted. Each SEN
try calls upon the passing civilians to
explain their business. The shutters are
all closed for fear of shootings occur
ring in the streets and the theatres,
restaurants and stores are also closed.
Uniformed Spanish officers in the pub
lie places sneeringly say: 'It would be
different if we were in control
AS an instance of the nervous tension
prevailing, It is cited that when the
sunset gun was fired on Sunday whole