The silver blade. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1895-1903, 1900-03-10
AFFAIRS IN THE PHILIPPINES.
Plot I'm Secrecy-Native Omcers He.
lieved to De Agents OF the lnsur.
rsctiOn-American Armies Busy
section From Manila to Dagupan
Has Been Cleared.

Manila, March 6-Reports reach the
! Associated Press from various sources, in
eluding army officers and the heads of
commercial houses with agents throughout
the islands, of continued activity among
the insurgents, who are endeavoring to
keep alive the armed opposition to the
United States, and are planning to con-
tinue the insurrection with guerrilla war
fare on larger scale when the rainy sea-
son begins. A person holding position
second only to that Of the governor gen.
sral, tells the Associated Press he is con-
vinced the insurgent organization has been
remarkably rehabilitated during the past
month, particularly in the northern prov
inces. He says the insurgents have a Sc
cret organization even in the strongest
garrisoned towns, atfording perfect means
OF communication, and that the machin-
cry is managed from Manila, some of
the leaders being Flipinos pretending to
be supporters Of the American admins
tration, many Of the municipal govern
ments installed by the army forming part
of the machinery.
Two correspondents of leading American
weeklies who have been travelling for
month in Bengutt and nocos, with letters
to insurgent chiefs, going alone SO miles
from garrisons, and being everywhere hos
pitably received, say the people make no
secret Of their sympathy with the insur-
gents. Though admitting that the Filipino
soldiers abuse them, they still protect
these soldiers from the American scouting
parties. They claim to have communica.
ton with Aguinaldo. palermo, In the
northern mountains of Luzon, is full Of
civil and military officials of all ranks OF
| Aguinaldo's government, who were cap.
tured or surrendered, and who were
brought here and released on promises
to refrain from agitation.
While many of the insurgent municipal
officers were continued in office on taking
the oath Of allegiance, residents who are
acquainted with them have little faith in
their adherence to their promises. All the
leading citizens of Tarlac, capital of the
province of that name, numbering IL per-
sons, have been arrested and charged with
plotting, and two insurgents have been
captured at Malabon with discriminating
papers and $4,000 collected from the ma
tives Some of the municipal governments
seem loyal and efficient. On the other
hand. an American general declares he
believes the majority in his province are
agents of the insurrecti3n.
"A fresh issue OF insurgent pamphlets
is being circulated asserting that the
American promises of good government
oosly Cor n.o1
ploitation of the Philippines, quoting Sen
ator Beveridge's speech and an editorial
from Washington newspaper headed,
"Let Us Be Honest"
The trial of the guerrilla charged with
murder is finished and it is believed the
commissions verdict will be guilty. In
dictments against others have been pre-
pared.
No report has been received from Gen.
eral Bates expedition. He has probably
moved inland, where communication with
him is impracticable.
| The army throughout the island of Lu-
zon is working hard, securing the country
for insurgents and killing a few daily.
The section from Manila to Dagupan has
been thoroughly cleared, the scouting par
ties being unable to find any insurgents.
General Funston and Colonel Keenan,
took 200 men through the mountains to
Baler, on the eastern coast, without meet
ing any insurgents. But they are active
along the northern coast from Dagupan
to Aparri. Occasional reports come of an
American soldier being killed or disap-
pearing. In the southern provinces the
insurgents continue to harass the Ameri-
can garrisons by night demonstrations.