Evening star., 1902-03-10
One Soldier Killed and Three
Were Wounded.
DEATH BY STARVATION
FRIGHTFUL FATE THAT BEFEL
DETACHMENT OF MARINES.
Deserted by Native Scouts, They Wan
dered Without Food for Days
in the Philippines.

Special Correspondence Of The Evening Star.
GUIUAN. Samar. P. l.. January 27. 1901
Since my last letter we have had several
skirmishes within a days march OF this
place. We can get one within twenty-four
hours any time we want 1t. We had one
man killed two days ago. His name was
John Bates and his home In Philadel-
phia. He was shot in the head and died
instantly. This makes three men wounded
and one killed since we arrived on this is
land two weeks ago. Several natives have
been killed in return, but no arms cap
tured.
A small gunboat came in yesterday and
reported that General Smith had granted
Lukban, the insurgent leader on this is
land. two weeks time to gather all his
troops with view to surrender. 1t has
been understood among the soldiers that
Lukban wanted to surrender some time
ago, but after the Balangiga massacre
General Smith refused to consider any
overtures, and notified him that he would
not accept any surrender, but would fol-
low him and kill him and all of his men.
It Is said that Lukban also put IN pro-
viso that the American deserters who are
on his staff be permitted to go free. OF
course. the general would not entertain
his proposition, as killing Is almost too
good for these ours. There are said to be
quite a number of them.
Caught Across the Dead Line.
We surprised a native last week across
the dead line. He was fishing in a small
creek. and when he spied the advance
guard. down into the creek he plunged.
He thought /. he had not been seen.
When the men reached the spot all they
could see was a little bunch Of hair stick
ing out of the water
He was dragged out and questioned as to
his reasons for being across the line, but
he would only humble. He was turned
over to the native scouts with instructions
to make him talk. There is one scout
named Capile who Is noted for bravery
and vicousness. The first thing Capile
did was to strike him across the neck
with large bolo. Still the native would
not talk. Another vicious hack at the
other side of his neck changed his mind
and he talked freely.
He said the native priests and the off,
Gals OF this town are aiding the insur
rectos In many ways. The priests live in
part of our quarters, and must say that
they look anything but spiritual advisers.
They are out some place every night and
return about 10 o'clock. When the natives
see them coming they act like frightened
sheep and run for their houses. II they
are caught by surprise, too late to run,
they go down on their knees and kiss the
priests hands
The gunboat brought in the news Of the
detachment Of thirty-fve marines that
had been lost on the island so long. They
were in Tacloban, Leyte, when the unfor-
tunates were brought in They say it was
| one Of the most pitiful sights Of their life.
Ten Of the men had starved to death and
the balance were living skeletons. They
were also covered with sores.
The men say their native scouts deserted
them. and they walked in a circle for days
and days. They became so weak for want
Of food that they were forced to throw
away their rifles, first removing the bolts.
They then dragged themselves assisted by
two sticks each, until rescued by q de-
tachment from our regiment. Those poor
devils can write book on hardships that
would be true.
We hear rumors that they are breaking
bue we hope it is not true. There is not
one-third enough soldiers on this island to
cope with the insurrectos. Our small COM
mand has territory Of 25 miles square to
from 5000 to 10000 armed insurrectos in
this territory. We have less than one hum
dred fighting men. notice that In the
late Manila papers there are reported to
be less than q dozen of the rifles taken
from Balangiga TN the hands Of the In
surrectos In this section.
Fired Upon From Three Points.
fired upon at Sal Cido from three separate
points. Old-timers give conservative es-
innate OF at least thirty rifles among our
attackers. Major Waller Of the marines,
who distinguished himself in China, has a
battalion north Of us. and he is doing great
work They captured a stronghold in De-
cember, which was at the summit Of per-
pendicular cliffs They went up with the
assistance of bamboo ladders Campbell
the Colt gun expert, told me Of that ex-
redition, in which he figured SO conspicu-
ously.
They surprised small camp in the noun
tainS and, before the natives discovered
them. Campbell had his gun trained on
a large building in which all the people
were gathered. apparently for meeting.
He says he pumped away for about ten
minutes. during which time very few of
the people got out alive.
The marines made rush on the build
ing and. they say the sight inside was
frightful. The cead were piled on dead
Some Of them had a dozen wounds and one
woman had fully hundred. Those guns
are deadly effective and think there should
be more Of them.
Natives to Help Government.
A large number of natives Of this island
have signifed their intentions to help the
government suppress the insurrection
They made the first move in this town Of
Guiuan three months ago. One morning
Lieut.. King. then in command, was sur
rrised to find about 200 natives lined up
IN front Of headquarters. They were. armed
with knives and clubs. They said that they
wished to accompany him on an expedition
that was to start that day.
Lieut.. King was doubtful Of their sin
cerity. He feared treachery, as 1t was only
short time after the Balangiga massacre
He permitted them to accompany him, how
ever. and In his report he credits them with
valuable assistance. General Smith was SO
pleased at this attitude Of the natives that
he granted them permission to bring large
quantities Of rice here to be distributed by
the presidente. A boat load came In yester-
day and as I write there Is a long string Of