July 2, 1898
the port was practically in the hands of the Americans as a piece of impertinent and un- Justified interference."
"Mind you,” he said in conclusion, "I am not saying anything against Germans as Germans, but against, the methods of a government which if they were those of any other under similar con. ditions I would criticise most severely. Mark my word, that the presence of the German fleet here bodes some kind of unpleasantness, and it may come sooner than is expected. I hope Captain Chichester, in whom I have great con fidence, has fally informed our Admiral, and that a British squadron will not be slow in ap- pearing on the scene."
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORF.
arms.
away all the courage and spirit of the Spaniards so that about 1,000 of them laid down their Eugene Blanco, who has proved himself on The insurgent leader was Colonel other occasions to be a daring fighter. living in a little town in Pampangas eur- Captain-General Angustin's family are rounded by the rebels and at their meroy. fluence has been brought to bear on General In- Aguinaldo to return them to Manila, but he says that they are not yet actually in his hands be kindly treated. and if they are taken prisoners they will Augustin has offered $25,000 for the head of As long as General
system of logic by which he can expect the Aguinaldo it is a little difficult to arrive at a rebel leader to show him any particular courtesy.
While these remarks are pointed and some what severe, they were said to me in good faith by a man of quality and standing, who of course under the circumstances could not permit the use of his name. I am not in a position to ex-larger and finer house in Cavite, formerly Aguinaldo has removed his headquarters to a press an opinion myself, but if what I have occupied by the Spanish Governor of the heard other men say is any criterion sentiment is province. Every precaution is taken to protect very strong among Britishers and Americans him against possible assassination or poisoning against the German display of naval force. by spies or hired desperadoes.
The German warships now here are the Kaiserin Augusta (Admiral von Diedrichs), Kaiser, Princess Wilhelm, Irene, and Cormor- an, with one transport bringing supplies for the squadron.
It is reported on good authority that they will be supplemented by the Deutschland, with Prince Henry, and the Gefion. I think it doubtful if both come, but it would not be surprising if one did. If the Prince actually visits Manila he may bring the Deutschland, if she can stand the trip from Shanghai or whatever port she last leaves in good condition.
Speaking of the Deutschland reminds me of the Castilla of the destroyed Spanish squadron. The only wooden vessel in the battle of Manila Bay was the Castilla, 3,342 tous, built at Cadiz in 1881, with an excellent and formidable bat- tery of breach loading Krupp guns, but with a hull that has done no credit to her builders, as recent events have proved. The war vessel, only sixteen years old, has been towed about as a floating battery simply because the working of her engines has caused her to leak so badly that it has been impossible to send her to sea under steam. I have made a careful examina- tion of the wrecked hull of this vessel, as she lies aground in Cavite Bay burnt to the water's edge. Everything points to "jerry" construc- tion. The whole of the bulwarks and sides are burnt down to below the main deck, leaving a thick row of her iron fastenings right round the vessel, which are only six inch spike nails, with an entire absence of bolts either iron or copper except where they have gone through knees.
The miserable construction of this vessel is no doubt the cause of her being incap- able for useful active service except in the cruel manner in which she was employed-to place a crew on board and leave them as a tar- get for certain destruction by the enemy. Few Spaniards that have ever fought have been at greater disadvantage than the brave crew of the Castilla.
Farther details of the great fight of May 1st filter through from the high officials of Manila as time passes. It now appears, &c. cording to authentic information in the hands of Consul Williams, that out of 491 men on the Reina Cristina 364 were
killed; only 127 left the ship An officer who was aboard and now in prison tells me that one could not step a foot in any direction on her decks without coming in contact with pieces of flesh for dead bodies. Such was the power of the American gung and the skill of the Ameri-
can gunners.
General Monet, the distinguished Spanish Governor of Pampangas province, has fallen in battle, shot through the head and heart while bravely leading his forces in a fight against the insurgents. All honour, I say, to his memory. I admire a brave man whether American, Spanish, or Britisher; and here is the first high Spanish military officer who has preferred to die rather than be made an easy prisoner by his foes. He was shut up in San Fernando with 1,200 Spaniards. They were surrounded and beseiged by nearly an equal number, of insurgents. Seeing starration staring them in the faces they made a determined effort to break through the rebel lines and reach Macabebe, led by General Monet. In the action that followed he was killed. This took
supply of provisions, which will be used to The Kwong Hoi arrived recently with a large stock a store in Cavite. It was risky to cross the China Sea in such a river craft, but Capt. liner. Mackenzie says that she stood it like an ocean The most welcome part of her cargo it is not probable that much profit was realised was ice, but so much of it melted en route that from its importation.
than food supplies.
The insurgents themselves need rifles more they have about 7,000 armed men in active At the present writing
the field within the next ten days. operations, and hope to put 10,000 more into
into Cavite harbour, so as to receive the pro- The American squadron has moved further tection afforded by Sanglay point in the south-west monsoon; not for the big ships craft, launches, &c., that are in use day and themselves but for the multitude of smaller night and form the "mosquito" fleet.
on Monday, the 20th, in honour of Queen All the men-of-war in the Bay were dressed Victoria's Accession day, and presented a flags and bunting showed to best advantage. beautiful sight. The breeze was strong and the At noon salutes were fired and what with the European squadron at one end of the Bay and the American at the other banging away, it was easy to imagine that a battle was in progress.
The weather is delightful. Cool breezes blow sleep. The health of the American squadron is all day, and the nights are always favourable to excellent and the men are in the best of spirits, eagerly awaiting the arrival of the Charleston and troop ships. Everything is in readiness for oidents may arrive at any moment during the the latter. They are now due and barring ac- next six to eight days. They will be given a hearty welcome by the American forces already here and trained in battle, who are longing for another contest.
A constant loot-out is kept by the Americans for torpedo attacks, aud it would seem impos- sible for any small craft to approach them at night without being destroyed before any damage could be done."
The news from inside the city indicates that the Spaniards are making plans to offer vigorous resistance to both the insurgent and American forces. New forts are being erected and old ones strengthened. Rifle pits are being prepared and great piles of sand bags ..re being placed in front of weak defences. Food is exceedingly scarce, and the insurgents have cut off com. munication with the interior. Fighting is still going on at different points around Manila. On Monday night a severe engagement 00- curred at Maytubig to the south of Manila. About 490 insurgents aftacked the Spanish fortifications holding nearly 2,000 men. The latter were so frightened that they summoned reinforcements. When the insurgents stopped firing fully 5,000 more Spanish and native auxiliaries had arrived on the scene. In other words, fully 7,000 Spanish troops were required to drive back the plucky rebels.
Many new officers and assistants for Aguin- aldo arrived on the Kwonghoi from Hongkong. The full staff of General Aguinaldo now in Cavite are Jose Lebarda, Juan Arevolo, L. L Zinlcita; Eugenio Plona, Lazaro Makapagal,
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Eduardo Lanera, Julio Infante, Severino Roten, Benito Natividad, and Jose Leyba.
for a few hours rear the flagship, delivered mails The Esmeralda arrived on Monday, anchored and despatches, and then steamed over to the anchorage off Manila. They will probably load Chinese for Amoy. The British bark Crown Chinese aboard. The J. Y. Troop left recently of Germany is ready to sail for Amoy with 1,000. after unloading her coal. The Honolulu is still bere with some 400 tons in her hold, which is being gradually unloaded as required.
pected back on Friday morning or Thursday The Zafiro has gone to Hongkong, but is ex-
Baltimore will have returned with the Charles- night. Before this letter reaches Hongkong the ton and troop ships.
The latest intelligence points to another big the next ten days. battle of combined water and land forces within
quoted at the beginning of this letter, another Since my interview with an Englishman British man-of-war has arrived, and there are rumours rife that two or three more may Americau will be sorry, follow. If so his hopes will be gratified and no
strous stories about the Americans, and do not The Manila papers continue to publish mon- hesitate to employ the most contemptuous epithets, all of which are whetting the appetites these uncalled for insults. of the Americans to get even with them for
The Bonaventure has arrived and was wel. comed by Americans as well as Britishers. It will arrive in a few days. Now that the effect is reported that two or more British men-of-war desired is created the Germans are sending away two of their men-of-war, according to statements of their officers.
HONGKONG SANITARY BOARD,
kong Sanitary Board was held. The chair was On the 30th June a meeting of the Hong-
President (the Hon. F. H. May, Captain- occupied by the President (Dr. J. M. Atkinson, Principal Civil Medical Officer), the Vice-
W. Brewin (Acting Registrar General); and Orinsby (Director of Public Works), Mr. E. Superintendent of Police), the Hon. R. D.
Dr. F. Clark (Medical Officer of Health).
MINUTES.
The minutes of the last meeting were adopted as a correct record.
THE INSANITARY PROPERTIES QUESTION.
The PRESIDENT, in moving the adoption of the order of the day-the report of the Board on the Insanitary Properties Commission's report--said he would state that the reason why the report had been somewhat delayed was that the Board felt that it required most careful consideration, as it was one of the most important matters which had been brought before the Board within his recollection. He would not say more as the report spoke for itself.
DIRECTOR
The seconded.
The VICE-PRESIDENT, in supporting the re- solution, said he had no doubt the Government would take the report into its most serious con- the public itself would also read the report sideration, and he was not without hope that carefully and give it its fullest consideration. Without the support of the public no Govern- ment could successfully legislate. In sanitary matters they wanted to carry the public with them, and all he could say was that it entirely depended upon what legislative action was sanitary future of the colony would be. He taken on the Board's report as to what the would only instance one particular, and that was the re-erection of insanitary dwellings, on existing sites.
OF PUBLIC WORKS
important matter dealt with in the report, and This was perhaps the most the Board had expressed surprise that the majority of the commission should not advert to it at all. It was only in an addendum to the commission's report by a minority of members that the question was touched upon at all. If something was not done, and done quickly, stop the erection of insanitary dwellings on existing sites in this city all he could say was that there was no salvation for the city of Vic- toria at all. If any one wanted an object lesson" let him go down to the pile of buildings, now almost completed, on the site of the old Victoria
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