The Butler weekly times. (Butler, Mo.) 1881-1918, 1899-03-23
IT ESCAPED THE CENSOR.
Situation at Manila as Seen by
a Newspaper Man.

Is trou. correspondent present at
Mauila and has evidently not been
subjected to censorship:
The most remarkable feature of
the situation is the inability Of the
Americans and residents to estimate
the numbers, resources and plans of
the tilipiDos. Prominent generals
think two or three disastrous battles
will break their spirit and make
them sue for terms a majority of
the English and other residents are
OF the opinion that the determination
of the TaGalOs IS the guarantee of
peace. that they can easily be whip
pei # they give battle, but they will
dodge meeting with the Americans
in force Some people think they
will risk battle at Malabon and Par
naque, where they are strongly en-
trenched, and that if they are defeat
ed they will resume bushwhackiDg
as long as any of them are left.
United States Consul Williams
says: L don't expect to live to see
the end Of the war
The rebel7 shift about so much
that it is impossible to estimate their
numbers.
The CORE spondent questioned
several generals as to the lumber Of
the rebels and the replies ranged
from 10000 to 100000. The esti-
mates Of the quantity Of arms pos
s ssed by the rebels 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
lines is rice fields, cane and brush.
The rebels are familiar with every
inch of it and it affords fine hiding
places. The residents say the Tag
aIos are unanimously rebels, and
they predict the Americans will be
resisted at Mindorn 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 mystery 1t is known
that several regiments were under
arms, but the majority of them are
supposed to be jealous of the Taga
los, 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 in retiring to their estab-
Iished lines after pursuing, makes
the rebels think they are winning
victories.
ORIENTAL NATURE IS DECEPTIVE.
The Oriental character is so de-
cepsive that the residents of Manila
are ignorant as to whether their own
servants sympathize vi b the rebels
or not
It is shown that rebel organi
zization exists in the city, and the
evidence is growing that there was 8
wide spread plot to assassinate the
Americans the signal being the com
mencemept Of hostilities. The ser
wants were instructed ID kill their
employers, but they were ter
rorized 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 current saying.
The faithlessness of the natives is
illustrated by the action of the COM
missioners who came here to offer
the allegiance of the island Of
| Negroes. It is now known that they
were in friendly communication with
Aguinaldo while here.
The rebels have been resupplied
with ammunition and they are using
smokeless powder.
Nearly every house here displays
foreign flag for protection, whether
| il be entitled to it or not All flags
except the Spanish flag are seen.
From the native huts hang white
/ towels or shirts. The natives work