Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-06-12

Correspondence of the Associated Press.)
MANILA, May 15.-ApDlinario Ma
Lini, the premier of Agrinaldos cab
met, who is not only the most able
among the leaders of the instruction,
but almost the only one whose honesty
has never been questioned, has prob
ably finished his career. his friends
believe that he is dying. Mabini re-
mains in an American prison IN Ma
rila because he has nowhere else to
go. Before the revolution he was a
wealthy man as riches are rated in the
Philippines, but all his money was in
vested in the cause of independents.
Recently Gen. Otis offered to release
him from the prison in the walled city,
where he has been housed comfortably
since his arrival in Manila, on condi-
ton that he would not take advantage
of his liberty to incite trouble.
But l have not changed my convic-
tons" said Mabini.
The general explained that was not
required. Then Mabini said that he
was entirely destitute and preferred to
remain in prison Afterwards, when
his health was plainly failing, Gen.
Otis offered him a carriage for a daily
drive. Mabini refused it, replying that
81 cannot accept favors from the
Americans"
Mabini is a paralytic, although
young man. The strain of his hight
with Aguinaldo from Tarlac was
severe one. and now he cannot even
rise from his chair without help.
Those who know him predict that he
will last but few months He re-
mains extremely loyal to his dreams OF
an Independent republic for the Fill
pinos, but more practical men IKE
Buencamino scott at him as an ldealist
who cannot accept conditions.
The Manila papers are printing much
about the trouble incident to building
the great government ice plant ana
cold storage warehouse which has been
under way several months without re-
markable progress. The architect OF
+he building. Mr.. Edward Barrath, OF
Chicago. and Mr.. Frank Strong, for-
merly an engineer of the navy, were
sent to Manila by the quartermaster
general to act as supervising arcnllect
and consulting engineer. Gen. GUS de-
tailed Major Roudiez, of the army, 10
have charge of the work. There was
constant friction between the major
and the civilian engineers. Finally,
Mr. Parratb rendered his resignation.
Major Roudiez returned it with the
statement that the resignation was not
accented but that Mr.. Barrath was
discharged by him. He also discharged
MIR Strong. These gentlemen appealed
to Gen. Otis, who declined to CONSIDER
the question. They have returned 10
the United States to lay the matter pc
fore the War Department, claiming
that the Manila authorities, especially
Major RoudieZ. had no authority 10
discharge them. The American Work
men employed on the building are pro-
testing because they are compelled 10
work ten hours day in a tropical
country. The local papers are protest
ing because the cost of the building,
half a million, is charged to the reye-
nues of the islands. They argue that
# should be paid for by the United
States because ID is to be used solely
for the storage of army supplies.
The Filipinos are addicted to the
preservation of their records, no matter
how unimportant Down in Alpay
Drovince our troops recently found the
yearly financial statement of the renel
government. While it is thought It's
figures are untrue. it is interesting as
an example of how the rebels DO busl-
ness and maintain their prestige
among their people In the balance
sheet for 1S99-1900, the insurgent min
lister of finance states that during the
year 1867 the expenses of the Span
ish government in administering af-
fairs amounted to SIT 474,020 Mexican,
but thanks to the capacity of the revo-
lutionary leaders the total expenditures
of the insurgent government for last
year only amounted to $6,342, 407. All
this economy was effected while the
Manila custom house, most lucrative
source of income, was in the hands OF
the Americans. 1t was promised that
as soon as the rebels gained possession
of Manila, which would be in few
weeks, they could manifestly reduce
the rate of taxation. In the mean
time money was needed and it was in
cumbent on all good patriots to pay
all the tax collectors asked of them.