November 5, 1896.]
with
ften
Lord SALISBURY will be found cknowledge accomplished facts traising any difficulties. We have been told of the danger that would threaten England if Russia were once allowed to secure a port open all the year round. She has now done so, so far as the Pacific is concerned, and the dangers that have been predicted may be very real ones, but the way to meet them is to look to our own fleet and armament and be prepared to protect our interests should they be as- sailed. The policy of trying to prevent the natural expansion of Russia, a mistaken one from the beginning, has now become impossible. ·
PLAGUE IN FORMOSA.
SPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE DAILY PRESS."]
TAIPEH, 29th October. Plague has broken out here. Yesterday three cases and to-day twelve cases were reported amongst the Chinese and Japanese inside the city.
THE REBELLION IN THE ·
PHILIPPINES.
FROM A CORRESPONDENT.}
Manila, 17th October. Last night the steamer Isla de Luzon anchored, bringing 1,000 more troops from Spain, making over 5,000 since the commencement of the rebel- lion. The troops were landed without their arms, and less display was fortunately observed on this occasion, the Governor-General having expressed a wish that no further triumphal
arches be erected and that the troops be marched straight off to their respective barracks. This order gave great dissatisfaction in certain quar- ters, especially amongst the rowdy element in the Volunteers. The shopkeepers had also agreed not to close on this occasion, having already shown sufficient patriotism by closing and making a holiday on the occasion of each of the other landings, but at the last moment, fearing excesses on the part of the rowdy element, they were obliged to close, stopping all business for the rest of the day.
The Comercio, hitherto considered as one of our most serious and formal papers, in welcom- ing the new troops concludes as follows:- "Welcome to the two new battalions of Cazadores, to whom we send our most sincere and enthusiastic salute, in which is included our desire that when victory accompanies them, as most undoubtedly it will, the Catholic God will protect valour, chivalry, and patriotism, the fundamental principles and backbone of the glorious nation of which to-day and for over we feel ourselves proud." Many good Catholics will probably ask Who is the Catholic God?" it being hitherto accepted amongst Christians of every denomination that only one God is the father of all by whatever road he is approached. The Comercio, however, wishes to have a special
one of its own now.
One of the first acts of the Governor-General after returning from the Laguna district was to suspend all further military banquets as being very much out of place at the present moment, especially when speakers make themselves rid oulous by holding forth in speeches like that of Mr. Rafael Comenge, reported in my last advices. Consequently, the banquet or ganised by the naval officers to-night will not take place. * The Press have also been forbid den to report such inflammatory speeches in
future
A native corporal with two soldiers carrying provisions was met a few days back in the Anloague Street by two of the new Spanish soldiers recently arrived, who turned round on
natives calling them traitors and other filthy pithets of which alone the Spanish language is able. The plucky native corporal at once cup his rifle and with the butt end brought one of the Spaniards to the ground, who cried ne saints in Heaven for mercy, whilst took to his heels by the nearest cut to ring the row, up came the police; how he had been insulted evertheless, they wanted to.
nty but
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT, arrest him. The corporal in an instant slipped a cartridge in his rifle and pointing at the police told them to come on; he was on service and in the execution of his duty in a place where mar- that moved a hand he would shoot down. This tial law had been established and the first man plucky behaviour of the native corporal so im- pressed the police that they too made themselves scarce, leaving corporal and soldiers to pursue their way in peace. This occurred in the public street. Imagine therefore what occurs privately inside barracks. It is a marvel how the native troops have remained so loyal, from the treat- they are supposed to receive 20 cents a day pay, ment they receive. For instance, just now out of which they have to find themselves in everything, yet I have it on undoubted au- thority from the soldiers themselves that they are only receiving 10 cents per day, the rest undoubtedly finding its way into the pockets of the officers.
Notwithstanding official reports to the con- trary the insurrection is spreading, and should the Spaniards meet with a reverse when Imus, the present stronghold of the insurgents, is attacked, a general rising may be looked for. The Spaniards themselves estimate fully 100.000 insurgents under arms in the provinces of Batangas and Cavite. The Spaniards claim a victory over them at a place called Nasagbu, in Batangas, the estate of the célebrated P. P. Roxas, stating that 124 rebels were killed and only two Spaniards, but this must be taken with a good deal of reserve. At the present moment a victory was necessary for and moreover on the coast and within reach of political reasons, , and Nasagbu being unfortified,
the gunboats it was signalled out for attack. Even if the victory is as said it in no way alters the position of matters, but probably if one figure were taken off the rebel loss and added to the Spanish loss it would be nearer the exact
truth.
islands is the departure for Spain of the Se- A hopeful sign for the pacification of the gundo Cabo or Lieutenant-Governor, who leaves in the Antonio Lopez, sailing on 21st instant., officially announced in the papers as on sick leave, but in reality sent off under arrest by the Captain-General, who in this action has shown another excellent political move in the face of tremendous opposition and extreme unpopularity with a certain section of the community. This Segundo Cabo belongs to the Archbishop's party, who are for wholesale slaughter and destruction regardless of the cousequences, and is the man who in the Fery first encounter shut down right and left very native visible. even hanking them out of their homes and butchering them in cold blood. and who was also implicated in the tragedy of the "Black Hole" of Manila.
The Captain-General shortly after his return last week issued an order prohibiting the Volun- teers from making arrests and confining their attention to sentry duty and the protection of Manila in case of attack. Such scandalous
abuses were being committed by this baud of ruffians on the pretext of looking for suspected persons that it was high time their almost au-
tocratic
powers were cut short. It will not be surprising should the Captain-General dissolve them altogether (if they do not fall out them- selves) when the next lot of troops arrive from Spain. Although there are some very respect- able inhabitants in this Corps, by far the greater part of them are composed of loafers and itin- erant Spaniards whose only object for enlisting was loot, and so far they have made bay while the sun shone, entering defenceless homes at night, violating women and children, arresting and even shooting the husbands on futile pretences, and laying their hands on everything they could get hold of. I know of one case where they heartlessly set fire to a house where two help less old women were, burning them to death, in the suburb of Sampaloc.
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strictly correct and impartial for praise from all decent and history will do him justice clear head and calm judgment
If the wholesale shooting and Spaniards all through the islands the bean attempted with so few troop country would have risen en masse and lated them.
341
To give an idea of what the Volunteer tentions were, one of them was asked to kin settle a long standing debt. His reply he had joined the Volunteers in order to be able to clear off his debts by what he could make.
The following order appears in the Official Gazette of Manila, 20th October, 1896
General Government of the Philippines, "Political Section.
"The grave events which have taken place in some of these provinces, by which ill advised crowds have taken up arms against our institu- tions, can now be considered as dominated, the insurrectional movement being now localised within a very small area
account
"Whilst those events were being fomented by acts of violence on the part of the seditious, it became necessary to adopt extreme and rigorous measures without taking into justifications or other matters whatsoever which might hamper their rapid and energetic suppression, but taking in view that the insur rection is suffocated in almost all the provinces of Luzon, it has become necessary, for high political reasons and government, to change the system of correction, adopting in its place one ciliatory. Only by such means can be obtained more temperate and moderate and above all con-
on the one side just and exemplary punishment, and on the other and much more important aide the re-establishment of tranquility in the towns,
which, amongst other things, they have lost for fear of ill judged punishments; that there may be
initiated a movement of attraction towards the
might otherwise feel inclined to favour the cause of our country on the part of those who rebellion with indifference or other motives.
"By virtue of this order you will therefore
take most especial care not to order any im- prisonments which are not thoroughly justified by some grave complication in the actual events
or do not serve to investigate the cause of these. Furthermore, you will inculcate a feeling of security in the minds of your people that no unjustified oppression will be dictated, and that the policy of the Government is to give the utmost indulgence with respect to all those who, without having actively and gravely intervened in the rebellion, show a sincere repentance or a loyal adhesion, and finally you will put in practice every available means in your power in order that the villagers return to the normal life in every way and that the tranquility and morale of which they are so much in need be established in them.
· God preserve you many years.
"BLANCO.
"Manila, 11th October, 1896.
To the heads of Provinces and Districts and Military Commanders of the Flying Columns.”
22nd October. News has come to hand of heavy fighting at Montalban, a town in Manila province about 12 miles north of the city. 1,000 insurgents attacked the town and drove off the garrison, taking possession of the barracks of the Civil Guard; these were subsequently reinforced by a column from San Mateo, but they were also driven off. Losses are not given; therefore it is supposed they are heavier than they care to admit.
ALPHIA
Hongkong, 2nd November.
A perusal of the Manila papers received the last steamer conveys the idea that no head way is being made against the rebels on the contrary, the latter are becomin The General prohibited the Volunteers, mus- and gathering strength. Accounta tering with arms to receive the last soldiers, as between the rebel and loyal these continued triumphal ovations are becom-almost daily, and of course, ing too much and interfering with trade and generally successful in dispe business unnecessarily, but egged on by the killing a good many of priests they turned up without arms and, mixed quished reappear again with a motley throng of priests and rowdies; A significant feature is for cheers for the Segundo Cabo and Arch appears to be becoming mor preceded the troops through the streets, calling more immediate neigh
However, the latter need fear nothing his On the 22nd October two amat bishop and ignoring the Governor-General. | is unsafe to venture far
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