Evening star., 1901-12-12
Likely That Iusurrectc Fiend Will
Swing for His Grimes.
CAPILE EUDES AMERICAN TROOPS
Native Priests, ii -the Philippines
Said to Be DssloyaI.
EPIDEMIC OF SMALLPOX
Special Correspondence of The Evening Star.


rectos A 'hike' was ordered all along the
line and every available soldier, except the
sick, lame and lazy" participated in the
roundup. It reminded me very much Of a
California rabbit drive. as the troops start
ed from points on the ocean and met at q
designated point inland.
Quite number Of slow insurrectos were
caught in the net. Company I was the
luckiest, as it caught the notorious Cap
tain Mariana and a second lieutenant Of
artillery named Genarda, together with
fifteen bo1o men. This Mariana is a blood
thirsty villain, and I think that he will
swing. as there are many charges Of fiend-
fsh acts committed by him and his gang
He is very communicating Filipino.
without sign of intelligence in his wrin-
killed. face and cruel-looking little eyes.
When captured he had on the poorest Of
native dress, was barefooted and had on an
old battered derby hat. I have noticed
that when Filipino begins to rise in the
world he adopts the stiff hat, which he
wears the year round. until adversity comes
his way. These hats have only about an
inch brim. which is poor protection against
a boiling sun. Still 1t is the style, and the
Filipino is just as foolish In that respect as
his more enlightened brethren in other
parts Of the globe.
Capile EIudes Capture.
But am off the trail The main object Of
the general move was the capture of Capile,
the leader of the insurrectos on this island,
but his system of scouting and communica-
ton was too much for US, as not sign of
him was found. For months his rendezvous
has been within days march of this place,
yet we knew 1t not until he had flown. He
is said to be near here at this writing, but
1t is an impossibflity to locate him, as the
natives will not give us any information
whatever.
The captured lieutenant Of artillery tells
me that he has five modern rapid-fire guns
ton. but why he doesn't use them is a mys-
terry. 1t is probably good thing for us
that he has no good men behind them. We
have no artillery in this section.
Some Of the enlightened natives have
informed the writer that most likely the
larger amount of insurrectos have fed to
the islands of Samar, Mirfaanao and Dina
got all of which are in signt of this island
and can be reached by sman boats.
The Island of Dinagot Is in plain sight
from here and can be reached by steamer
the steamer Victoria informed me that
there was not an American on the island,
which is of good size, He also said that
the Spaniards never had any troops on it
while In their possession; that the govern
ment was represented by two padres
There are several large towns on the ISL
and and the soil is very fertile. The cap
tain says the natives are very hard to man
age.
From all accounts the army in the Philip
pines Is to be cut down, Yet there are not
enough troops to occupy one city on such
large island as Dinagot.
Native Priests -Disloyal.
The native priestsiton This island are
greatly to blame for-the prolongation Of
the trouble, as 7 do not believe that there
are a half dozen of them loyal to the Unit
ed States. and I think the majority of them
appear to be aiding the insurgents.
Under our rule they cannot fear anything
as far as the government of the island is
concerned, whereas II the insurgents
should win (Which will never come to pass
they would be all powerful.
About three weeks ago the writer with
a detachment happened to be In the village
Of Hinundayan. which is short distance
from here. An invitation to breakfast by
The priests are noted for serving good
meals. He treated us royalty and We en-
joyed the repast very much. During the
meal he told us with great pride that he
had never seen an fnsurrecto in his VII
lage; that the men were all hard-working,
law-abidfng citizens and had no time for
insurrections: that he had heard there were
insurrectos in the mountains, but they
never came Into his village.
Three days ago the presidente of that
village was caught In the act of writing
to the insurrectos, In which he stated that
considerable money and provisions were
to be sent to them. 1t has now come to
light that the village is hotbed for in
surgents, and that the smiling priest Is
one of the ringleaders. How sweetly he
lied to us. rT-'
The last expedition, which lasted twenty
days, while hard on the insurrectos, was
one OF the ringieaders.
Epidemic of Smallpox.
We have detachment. of nineteen men
In the town OF Hfnunangan under the COM
mand Of a corporal This small body has
done good work and, with the assistance Of
the native police. has rid that section Of
the insurgents. The town Is now suffering
from siege Of smallpox and some of our
men are down with the dreaded disease.
l was over there about ten days ago
and was startled at the sight of large
numbers Of children running around the
streets. their bodies covered with eruptions
The hospital corps man told me the town
was full of it, and that he had no medicine
for 1t. nor means for vaccination. He said 1t
was useless to try to isolate the infected. as
the disease was so general. Upon my re-
the condition of things and doctor was at
once dispatched to the scene with medi-
cines and vaccine material.
I have noticed quite a number Of children
In this town broken out, but since the
general vaccination of the natives do not
see 80 much of 1t. The people do not seem
to think 1t Is anything to be afraid Of.
although l understand they are burying
We buried our first man last week. His
name was Augustin j. Dwyer. whose home
was In Lawrence, Mass, He died of Bright's
disease, and his sufferfngs during the last
week Of his life were diEhffuE We buried
him with all the military hanors. He was
Catholic, but the iiatise priest refused to
participate. 2s1 slt to,s 81 gIot
Hemp on tie RoomaL.
The hemp business -on the island has
taken great boom. and the largest price
for the product ever nkaown is being re-
ceived- The majority1ef the ports on. this
bay are closed, but 1the7 steamboat men
manage to- get permission to get out
the hemp. and the countrytis fairly groan-
ing with the burden Of fstlveT dollars. What
chance the soldiers had here to make
fortune with little capital When we ar
rived here last May hemp could be pur-
chased In unlimited quantities for 50 Mexi-
can. peso. 1t Is now worth Sc.
The Chinese have made fortunes here in
the past four months, They have bought