Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-01-18
LATE PHILIPPINE NEWS.
TogaIos Suffering ChapeIie's p. essence
Causes sti'-0tIs's Last Report.

Manila, Jan. 17.-Col. Kobbe, with
the 4sth Infantry. sailed on board the
transport Hancock today. with gun
boats escorting. The objective of the
force is probably the important islands
of Samar and Leyte, which the insur-
gents hold.
The American blockade ard the
levies CT the Tagalog army have
caused great suffering among the peo-
pie and hundreds Of persons are in an
almost starving condition. The Taga
log General Mauricio recently landed
at Negroes from the island of Panay
and requested conference with Col
Byrne. He proposed that the insur-
gents be let alone and permitted to
wear side arms and uniforms in the
towns until the war in Luzon was end
ed when they would surrender. Col.
Byrne refused to agree to this. how
ever, and said they would be consid-
cred as bandits and shot if they We're
found armed. Col. Byrne surprised
the insurgent camp. the same night,
and scattered the Filipinos, killing &c
of them. including a general
The presence here of Archbishop
Chapelle. the apostolic delegate to the
Philippines. is greatly stirring the
Catholics of all nationalities The
Filipinios have gained the impression
that Mgr. Chapelle came as the joint
agent of President Mckinley and the
Pope to reinstate the friars in their
former power. One cause of the ex-
citement is a statement which the Do
press. that Mgr. Chapelle in visiting
the head of the Order told them that
he favored the retention of the broth
erhood and that President Mckinley
shared his views. which We're that IF
the fliars returned to their parishes
they would be considered elements of
good order and therefore, American
agents.
Mgr. Chapelle denies the accuracy of
these statements and Catholics of all
sections are petiticaing Mgr. Chapelle
and Major General Otis against the
friars returning to their parishes, re-
peating the charges OF oppression, ex-
tortions, etc. which they say caused
the revolutions of 1896. The Filipinos
ask that they be given priests not con-
nected with the brotherhood.
Delegations from various surround
ings are visiting the provincial COVER
nors for the purpose of making the
same request and prominent Manila
Catholics are cabling the Pope On the
subject The people say the friars
will be driven out if they return to
their parishes and that there will be
continual trouble if the administration
attempts to protect them.
To queI the excitement, Major Gen
eral Otis consented to the publication
in the local newspapers of a statement
which he had made to a delegation of
FilipinoS as follows: IF the church
authorities assign friars to churches
where they are obnoxious to the people
they will not be compelled to accept
them. The individual liberty Suaran-
teed by the American constitution will
not be denied the Filipinos and the
government will not force upon them
any ecclesiastical denomination con-
trary to their wishes.
Washington. d. c.. Jan. 1.-THE fol-
lowing cablegrams We're received by
the war department from Gen. Otis
today:
Manila, Jan. 11.-SchNan' troops
are in possession of Batangas province