Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1899-12-16
wars ALARUMS.
Party Of GusrriI|as and Assas-
sins Captured in Philippines.
Speedy Death viii BE Their Fate
Gatacre's Report Of Recent Fight
in Transvaal-Cabinet Discusses
San Domingo Problem.

Manila, Dec. 13.-Colonel Smith. with
a detachment of the Seventeenth in
fantry, surrounded ana captured in
village near Malasqui party of
guerillas who had made their head
quarters there. The party included the
band which assassinated seven officials
at Malasqui for friendliness to the
Americans.
All are insurgents who became bandits
when the disintegration of the Filipino
army began. They kept the country
around Malasqui in a state of terror for
several weeks and committed 25 mur-
ders in less than that number of days.
When they were caught they were
promptly sent to General MacArthur's
headquarters at Bayambang by train.
It Is expected that they will be speedily
tried and either shot or hung as an eX-
ample.
The whole country north of San
Fernando and between San Fernando
and Manila. except within the perma-
nent line Of troops around the city and the
closely patrolled stretches Of railroad,
swarms with similar bands. Probably
they will be increased by men from
Pillars army many Of whom are maxi
ing their way south to join the insur-
gent force in Cavite province. These
people, for the most part, succeeded in
lodging General Grants. Colonel Bells
and Colonel Hoods troops, who are
securing the country for them. They
Inxyo 70 tIni tNo oh I
missary wagons and to picking up SOL
diers who leave their commands. Every
day some wagon train is fired upon or
some soldier disappears. General
Wheeler's secretary, Mr.. Garrett, was
disarmed and slashed by boloman al
most within sight of headquarters, his
assailant pursuing him almost into the
headquarters building.
The policy Of these ruffians is to make
the country nhabitable for Ameri-
cans and to frighten natives into re-
framing from giving any assistance to
the Americans, as we'll as to compel the
inhabitants to support the insurrection.
Frequently they raid and loot towns.
The brother of the president of linus
went outside the town the other day to
harvest some rice. He was captured by
his compatriots, accused Of being spy
and executed.
Only small proportion of the insur-
gent arms have been surrendered, and
the problem of suppressing this guerilla
warfare Is anything but easy of solution.
Some of the American officers think it
worse than fighting Indians, owing to
the difficulties of the country and the
trouble Of locating the enemy, who re-
sort. when hard pressed, to the amigo
dodge and hide their guns.
Some of the Americans favor the is
suance of proclamation declaring all
natives found with arms to be bandits,
punishable as criminals, instead of being
treated as prisoners of war.
London, Dec. 13.-The war Office has
received the following from Forestier-
Walker at Cape Town, under date of
Monday, Dec. IL:
Gatacre reports as follows: 1.-THE idea
to attach Stormberg seemed TO promise
certain success, but the distance was
underestimated by myself and the local
guides. A policeman took us around
some miles, consequently we were
marching from $3.50 p. M, TO 4 a. M, and
We're landed in an impossible position
do not consider the error Intentional.
The Beers commenced firing from the
top of an unscaleable hill, and wounded
good many of our men while in the
open plain. The Second Northumber-
landers tried to turn out the enemy, but
Roi ho Tris f,,ciltorc uni1o1
kopje near and held on, supported by
the mounted infantry and Cape police.
The guns, under Jeffreys. could not
have been better handled. But regret
to say that one gun was overturned
in q deep nullah, and another sank in
quicksand. Neither could be extricat ted
in the time available. Seeing the sit
uation, sent a dispatch rider to Mol
teno with the news. Collected and
withdrew our forces from ridge to ridge
for about nine miles. The BOer guns
were remarkably we'll served. They
carried accurately 5000 yards. am
holding Bushman's HEX and Cyphergat.
Am sending the Irish rifles and the
Northumberlands to Sterkstroom to re-
cuperate. The wounded proceeded to
Queenstown. The missing Northum-
berlands number 366, not 306, as pre-
viously reported"
It is just two months since the Trans
vaal ultimatum was delivered. Nine
engagements have been fought, and the
British have lost 566 killed; 2O27 wounded
and 1877, missing or prisoners.
Washington, Dec. 1S.-The cabinet
meeting yesterday was devoted almost
wholly to a discussion of the political
and financial conditions in Porto Rico.
The matter was brought up by Secretary
Root, who stated that a communication
had been received from the governor
general of the island enclosing petitions