The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1900-05-22
OUR NEW POSSESSIONS.

Attorney General Griggs has asked
the House Judiciary Committee TO
draft law covering puniShments In
cases such as the Cuban embezzIements.
The committee of the Democratic
Union party in Havana Cuba, will urge
members not TO vote at the elections on
the ground Of unfairness in the ar
rangements for the elections.
Eighty scouts Of the Fortieth Volun-
teer Infantry we're ambushed in Min
danao by Filipinos. who were repnlsed,
with fifty.one killed. Two Americans
we're killed and three wounded.
Mai. John o. Gilmore and 100 men
OF the 43rd Regiment were ambushed
May 26, near Pumbugan, Samar. Sew.
entv. five Of the enemy were killed ana
there were no American casualties.
In the Oatarma fight, Island Of Samar,
NAV IS. about 700 Of the enemy at
tackled the men Of the 43rd Infantry
The Americans killed 200 Of the rebels
by actual count. Only three Ameri-
cans were wounded.
U 8. prison officials of Bilibid prison,
at Manila, are under investigation on
a charge OF exchanging and releasing
prisoners, and receiving brides. Bilibid
prieon, she largest In the Orient, con.
tains thousands Of prisoners It 10 al
legged that. prisoners were freely ex'
changed that natives with money were
allowed 30 employ substitutes to serve
their terms, aud that various other
forms Of corruption existed.
W. H. Reeves, Deputy Auditor Of
of Cuba, made a confession and
gave up "a. 500 given to him by O.
r. Nicely. General wood and the pos
tai inspectors refuse to disclose the ma.
ture of the confession. Gen. Wood says
the report from Muncie. Ind. that
nearly 5000. 900 worth of stamps have
been printed there and sent for distri-
button to Cuban postoffices, is a canard.
IL is believed that the amount Of defal
cations will fall between 800 600 and
1926. 600. Another charge against Nicely
is that he has defrauded the customs out
OF several thousand dollars. 1t is con-
sidered that the evidence against Nicely
is complete.
The War Department sent to the
Senate an itemized statement in regard
90 receipts and expenditures Of all sorts
In Cuba, including salaries and allow
ances to officers. This statement 10 an
extension Of a condensed one supplied on
February 10Th. IL shows that the total
receipts from all sources in Ouoa foi
the year 1890 were SIC, Si6. $50 and ex-
penditures 81. 421. 7l9. The allowances
80 military officers are shown in detail
The So, 600 which was said to have been
paid for o house for General Ohaffee
was actually expended by the quarter.
masters department for building foI
It's own use, General Ohaffse occupying
portion Of the building for his mill
tary headquarters as provided for In the
army regulations.
A proclamation purporsiDg to have
been issued by Aguinaldo and dated
NAV 4. from Pollllo Island, one Of the
Philippine group, is circulating in Ma
Mia. IL says the Commission appointed
bv President Mckinley was appointed
without the authorization Of Congress
and that hence il cannot treat Of.
ficislly. It urges the PHILIPPINES not &c
surrender their arms at che instigation
Of the Commission and on promises
which Congress may not ratify, and also
urges the Filipinos TO enthusiastically
welcome the Commission when II ar
rives In the towns and provinces, ask
ing boldly for the form Of government
shey most desire, as the Americans per-
NIT freedom Of speech. The proolama-
tion CLOSES with asking the Filipinos TO
still strive for liberty and Independence
and again warns the Commission
against deception.