The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1899-08-04
FIRST AUTHENTIC LETTERS
FROM PRISONERS.
The Filipinos Illtreated the Captured
Americans-Starveda and Beaten-Suf-
fering From Disease-Clothed in Rags
Special Correspondence of The star.

Special Correspondence of The star.
MANILA, June live remained in
San Isidro three days and everyone
rushed to the Jail to see where the
American prisoners had written their
names in a cell with a charred stick
and in another cell with white chalk.
Four letters were found between loose
bricks, members of Company l secur-
ing two of them Other letters from
a Spanish prisoner who had been left
behind by the Filipinos.
These prisoners were Lieutenant Gill
more of the Yorktown and those cap
tured with him at Baler on April l, AL
bert Lowenshon formerly a quarter
master on the steamship Zealandia, II.
Huber of the hospital corps who was
captured while out beyond the lines
taking photographs, and some soldiers
of various regiments who had been cap
tured at different times. San Isidro
was the Filipino capital for a while,
and when the capital was moved a
short time before we got there. the
prisoners were taken away. These let
ters contained the first news that had
come from them except through Fill
pino peace commissions" These peace
commissions always represented that
the prisoners were being well treated,
and General Otis cabled that they were
to the United States. But these letters
showed that they were not, but were
very badly treated
l have just learned that General Otis
censor would not permit these letters
to be sent to the United States, but
continued the representation that the
prisoners were being well treated. So
l send you copies that l took of two OF
them, both from Lowenshon, who Slves
more details than anyone else. though
Of tbo latt I
Gilmore, and is of the same tenor
Lowenshon's letters are as follows:
SAN ISIDRO. May l. 1S99-To Com
modore U. S. N.-Dear Sir: Through
the kindness of the bearer, Senor Ro-
wan Ray, we are enabled to send word
through the lines and acquaint you of
our presence here. Lieutenant Gilmore
and seven men of the Yorktown, four
soldiers and two civilians comprise our
number. We are about to march for
the mountains. For Gods sake can
nothing be done for us? We have been
starved, abused and treated like ami
mails. The bearer has been a true
friend to us and deserves the best con-
sideration of every American. Respect
fully.
ALBERT LOWENSHON.
SAN ISIDRO, May 1.-Prisoners from
Yorktown: J. c. Gilmore. L. S. N; w.
M; j. Ellsworth, coXswain; s. Edwards,
S. d. s.; s. Brisoloz. O. g.; A. Peterson.
apprentice; F. Anderson, landsmau;
captured at Baler, April II. A. d. Brice,
+. Honneyman, Navada cavalry, cap
tured January 80 A. Bishop Third ar
tillery April 12 II. Huber hospital
corps, and j. O'Brien, civilian, January
81. We are about to march to the
northward, where we do not know Up
to Gilmore's arrival we had been treat
ed in most barbarous manner-starved,
beaten and bound. But since the ad-
vance of the United States troops our
treatment has been little better. We
have been living on cents a day, and
most of us are nearly naked. The
Spaniard has been treated even worse
| than we, being tortured i'm the stocks
and starved. Some hundreds are dying
of dystentery and other diseases, but,
| whether incapable or not caring, the
| government does nothing for these. If
| it had not been for Senior Rowan Ray
and his cOuntrymen, we should possi-
| bly, have starved to death on the re-
treat from Malolos.
ALBERT LOWENSHON,
! Formerly Q. NJ. S. s. Zealandia