The National tribune., 1902-01-02

give the same weapon TO dozen Fill
pinos, and the American will put them
all to flight This is why they never
stand up against the rushes of our troops
i'll battle and why the fighting has been
reduced TO mere bushwhack sniping in the
districts where the Americans have been
any length of time.
In Samar, where the recent surprise at
tacks upon small American detachments
have occurred, the explanation Of the fact
that bOlonen We're bold enough 10 rush
into the American camp, even when out
numbering their intended victims five to
one, is the fact that these men had not
before come into actual contact with the
troops. They are tribcsmen who have
not had the lighting experience of the ma
tiycS in LuZOn and have been deceived by
the same stories the insurSent leaders told
the natives in LuZon as long as they could
make them believe them, TO the effect
that the Americans could not fight and
that one Filipino could whip two Of them.
The fact that they lost four men 10 the
Americans one III these attacks has
opened their eyes, and it is safe to say
that the gueTlillaS Of Samar will soon ap-
preciate the beauties of lonS-ramgc sniping
and keep respectful distance from camp.
The Filipino is q very pugnaciOus and
quick-tempercd individual. He is quick
but when he makes 4 slash with it his
instinct is TO run before the other fellow
can slash back again. The good old Saxon
style of standing mp TO the fight and give
and take blows is something foreign to
his nature. lie simply cannot stand up
to the line. This explains the reason why
in every battle the fight has been over III
Il few minutes after the Americans got
into position where they could reach the
Filipin0s personally. 1t also explains wig
no plot for an uprising, of which there
have been scores, has been successful. The
nerve 10 execute them j.; not cOmmcnsu-
rate with the cunning 10 conceive them.
Pumposity and prctcnsc are prevailing
characteristics. This leads them to make
elaborate plans they themselves must
know they will not dare 10 execute. There
need never be feared Il successful upris-
ing in Manila, yet there may be looked for
continual plotting and reStlesSness, for
that Is an unalterable Filipino trait.
UPRISING OF FEB. ~, 1889.
Along ;hesc lines WAS the great upris-
ing OF Feb -. 1899, planned by the Kati-
punaU Society which is the backbone of
the insurrection, and all that there is now
left Of it. Companies had beaI organized in
the city and armed with bolOs, while a
large number Of men had MauScr rifles as
well concealed in tEei. houses.
The general plan was for the city to be
set on fire IN several places, and in the
confusion and excitement that was expect
ed to cnSue the Kntipunans would start
out upon their mission of death 10 every
foreigner in the city-men, women and
children. Advantage was 10 be taken Of
tie situation, also, for AglIinaldOs troops
TO break through tn" cXprcted weakened
lines around the city, following M the
attack TO hc made by detachment Of
several hundred of his soldiers, who en-
tered the city from MalahOn, five miles
TO the north, by making their way through
the unguardcd marshes along the shore Of
the bay. These men numbered about 300,
and We're the regularly organized, uni
formed anG drilled men Of the insurgcnt
army. Il WAS their part of the plot to
create the first diversion of the fighting
and form a raIlying point for the Kati-
ulInan organizations in the city in their
work of slaughter. They entered the Tondo
district after dark, and remained concealed
until the time was ripe for them TO make
their demonstration.
in pursuance OF these plans fires were
started early in the northwestern part of
the city, and the troops patroling that
section were called ont to subdue them.
1t was soon discovered that the fires were
incendiary, as they were started in sew
eral places and at repeated times The
Fire Department was called out. This
docs not mean much in Manila, or did not
at that time. The city had some small anti
quated machines about the size of a good
sewing machine, but these were out of
business. There was, however, a steamer
belonging to what was known as the Eng
lish company. This was simply COM
pany supported by the foreign merchants
for their own protection The engineer
was an Englishman, but the firemen
were all Eilipinos. This machine was
taken 10 the ire and did the best II
could. which was, not much. However.
the Minnesotas, who were responsible for
that section Of the city, with the aid of
Tie engine. succeeded in subduiDg the fire.