New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-03-18
OCCUPATION OF BULAN AND DoNsoL.
A SHOW OF RESISTANCE AT ONE PORT.
SOLDIERS WELCOMED AT THE OTHER.

Sorsogon Jan 2l.-Coonel Howe and the four
companies of the Attn were no sooner established
at Sorsogon than General Kobbe gave orders for
the occupation of Buan and Donsol. Bulaa is
twenty-five miles south of SOrsogon, and Donsol is
thirty miles above it. They are both small coast
towns.
Early this morning preparations under way
TO transfer Companies a and D of the fifth from
the Hancock to the Helena for conveyance TO
Donsol and for Company go aboard Nash
vile for Bulan Each outfit had 70 take along
stores and rations for thirty days and there was
much hurry back and forth the Hancock much
confusion and much work in efecting these trans
fers. The warsnips were impatient to get off. Their
launches ran nimby through the feet Offering
their aid. and through megaphones came queries
like this The captains compliments 10 Major -.
and when will his men and stores he on board us?
We all ready 10 leave" Finally. by o'clock.
the Helena and the Nashville were loaded and
steamed away from the fleet anchorage the Helena
heading north for Donsol and the Nashville turning
toward Bulan.
The Helena has broad decks and much room for
the storage of She brought down SO of the
lost Charleston's crew from Camaguin last Novem-
Der, and these hundred soldiers of the 18th
found ready accommodation board A soldier IS
ready and able sleep a all times and in all
places. and in this he is fortunate On the Helena
the volunteers sprawled in the shade and talked of
where they were going and of the chances for a
fight. Some played with pet monkeys, others dis
cussed matters with the Helena's crew. but many
OF them slept. At 1890 o'clock the Helena served
them hard tack and coffee-it long time since
early breakfast-and at Il o'clock off Donsol,
and the men were about TO learn whether their
landing would be opposed or not.
DONsOL SEEN FROM THE SEA
Through glasses could be seen men and women
leaving the carrying bundles of household
goods with them. This looked like resistance The
beach trenches were lined with peering faces ana
the only flag over the town Spanish. Donsol
appeared as few zinc rooted warehouses and some
lon f4-nc 3
jungle on the coast. The beach is white and lined
with fish weirs, drying and dugout canoes
Behind the thirty miles is wonderfully
symmetrical shaped volcano. 5000 feet high
A perfect cone from all sides Mayor be seen
from far out at to-day It looks misty and
cool and the clouds stretched across its face keep
1t in shadow
One company Of soldiers was loaded into the
Helena's small boats. This action was Immediately
followed by much activity behind the trenches.
whereupon the leaders of this expedition decided
upon another OF action. The Helena's
launch, with Major Wise and Lieutenant Kobbe
on board, in for the beach towing a small
rowboat. When close TO the fish weirs the launch
stopped, and the rowboat. manned by three Fiji
pinos and carrying big white flag OF truce landed
in front of the trenches Meantime the Helena
had cleared for action, and the soldiers still on
board were sent TO cover, and those already in the
small boats waiting just astern Of the
tug Nunez. The British gunboat Glover had come
in from the south. and lying-to a few
hundred yards outside the Helena 1t is doubtful
If she recognized from the shore other than
an American ship-there was little breeze. and her
big white ensign hung down Hmply-sO those
shore thought themselves confronted with two
warships, and debated the ACCESSIBILITY Of resisting
them with the twenty rifles at their disposal.
The boat with the flag OF watched
closely. There was a conference with three white
figures the beach, and then she pulled back TO
the launch and the launch started for the Helena.
The trenches on shore were still lined with curious
wit ir1rar aver
our vessels made. They until o'clock this