こ
September 24, 1808.] ising" manner, due perhaps to long experience at Bar Harbour and Newport (not as a Collector of Customs but as a leader of Cotillions), which some British merchants and Americans do not wholly comprehend, but do not mind beyond being amused at the gentleman's peculiarities.
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
throughout the Isle of Luzon with the object of making the place too hot for the Americans Should the United States retain Luzon the disposal of the land belonging to the church there will give rise to some discussion. By the law of the United States no ecclesiastical cor-
amount of property, so that in the ordinary course of things the church land in Manila will be confiscated. We hear, however, that endeavours are being made to lease it to an English company which is being formed in Hongkong for the purpose, the prospectus of the company having been already prepared.
I would advise the merchants of Hongkong,poration is allowed to hold more than a certain Singapore, and Shanghai to keep in close touch with Manila. It has a great future as a trade centre before it if it does not return to Spanish control. The knowledge of a practical kind, in the above ports, of Manila and the Philip pines is woefully limited and it would be beneficial to trade upbuilding if the merchants interested in the import and export possibilities of the Islands would visit Manila. I simply throw this out as a little suggestion based on observation.
A few days ago an insurgent officer was stabed on the Luneta by a Spanish soldier assisted by three others. The assailants were promptly arrested and will be duly tried and punished. The insurgent was walking along the beach when he became mixed in an altercation with these Spanish soldiers. Hot words were exchanged, ending in one Spaniard drawing a knife and fatally cutting the native, There was considerable excitement for the mo- ment, but quiet soon followed It was one of those incidents which are hard to prevent under existing conditions, but which, fortunately, are very limited in number.
All kinds of rumours have been current from day to day of fighting between Americans and insurgents, but they always lack confirmation. Several men are reported killed and then it is found that the report is invariably a canard. There have been disputes while extending the American lines, but no fighting.
The Newport leaves to-day for the United States with important reports for the Govern-
ment.
A CRISIS.
THE PRIESTS AND THEIR RUMOURED DESIGNS.
Hongkong, 17th September. Despatches received from Manila yesterday disclosed the fact that the past week has been an exceedingly anxious time in the city, the re- lations between the Americans having become so strained that no one would have been surprised had a collision taken place at any moment. The climax was reached when Aguinaldo, acting it is believed on the suggestion of his sub-chiefs, sent a letter to the American authorities de-
manding "half the booty of the city," seeing
that he and his followers had not been allowed to take it.
In reply General Otis said he knew nothing about any booty, adding, "If your forces are not removed from the suburbs of Manila by Thurs. day, September 15th, we shall remove them by force. Admiral Dewey agrees perfectly with this, and our forces will act in accord and in per- fect harmony." Every preparation was made by the Americans to enforce their threat. Their ships were lined along the shore front, and the land forces had been so drawn out by General Otis that one of the posts came right up to one of the insurgents' This the latter did not like, and the officer in command in a bouncing manner sent a communication to the Americans ordering them to clear out of the way within 20 minutes. Of course the order was ridiculed. The Americans at once prepared for the threatened attack, but it never came, the insurgents thinking better of it and going away themselves.
Up to yesterday Consul-General Wildman had had no wire from Manila, and as it is more than probable he would bave had one had the Americans and Insurgents come to blows it looks as if Aguinaldo has agreed to the cou. ditions laid down in the ultimatum.
The action of some priests in Hongkong who came over from Manila is looked upon with suspicion. Many bf them have begun to wear civilian dress and to let their hair grow, and it is believed they are doing this in order that they may creep into Manila again and stir up strife among the natives there and in the country. It is known that a large quantity of arms are stowed away in the convents, and it is believed that it is intended to distribute them among the lawless characters who abound
1
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AGUINALDO'S WITHDRAWAL.
MEETING OF THE FILIPPINO CONGRESS.
[FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT]
Manila, 16th September. Aguinaldo has scored. He has evacuated his His soldiers marched out with colours flying positions in Manila in a most creditable manner. bands playing, and the men cheering one moment the Americanos and the next the Filippinos. Everybody is praising his discretion. He seized the opportunity to make a display and did it well. He made the very impressiou on the native population that he planned that the removal of his troops was of his own v li- tion and that he had made such arrangements with the Americans that it was no longer necessary to retain his forces within the city limits. As I iudicated in my last letter, Agui- naldo complied gracefully with the ultimatum of General Otis. The time was up yesterday, Thursday, the 15th, but the rebel forces were withdrawn Wednesday evening just before dark.
This is the most important event that has happened since the Americans entered Manila
and it occurred almost a month from the date of such entry. On Wednesday morning all sorts of rumours were rife as to what might happen. There were many men, Englishmen and Americans included, who believed that a fight was imminent and that the rebels would not leave unless compelled by bullets and bayouets, Those, however, in full touch with the situation had few fears of serious trouble. All day there was great activity in the rebel barracks, while officers were seen hurrying here and there over the city. These move- ments aroused the Americans to watchful ness to prevout any kind of a surprise, but none of the higher officers expected that any further precautionary steps would be neces sary. Aguinaldo showed his kindly acceptance of Otis' demands by leaving. Manila 24 hours ahead of time. He could have waited until Thursday afternoon or even until Friday morn ing, the 16th, had he expressed a wish for more time, but without quibble or question he ordered his faithful followers to show to the Americans that he at least was not following a "Manana policy.
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fairly and not too critically, the impression created was certainly favourable. They marched in column of fours and kept their dis- tance and line better than would ordinarily have been expected of natives who had been under arms and drilled for only a few weeks. As they passed along the street, they would cbeer, led by their officers, first Americans and then Filippinos. This was a thoughful and politio sot on the part of the natives. It prevented ill feeling and had the effect of most friendly relations. The American soliders cheered back heartily and in several places, where drawn up for evening dress parade, saluted the insurgents as they marched through the American lines and greeted them with lond and enthusiastic cheers. There was no sign of any friction. In one or two in- stances when the rebels were collecting and forming, there was some misunderstanding be- tween them and the American sentries about the former passing armed through certain sec. tions of the city, but these difficulties were not long in being straitened out, so that all was
the Americans had no fighting with the rebels, peace and harmony at the hour of evacuation, The Spaniards were doubtless disappointed that
but all other foreigners as well as the Americans and natives were delighted at the happy con- clusion of the day's incidents.
As the situation now stauds the Americans are in complete possession of the entire city of Manila and suburbs. The insurgents have marched out to such distances that there should be no repetitions of the polty difficulties that hare repeatedly arisen during the past thirty days.
•
Following this evacuation by the insurgent forces of their positions in Mauila is another event of no little importance and possibly of far greater consequence, Yesterday, Thursday, September 15, the Filippino congress met and organized at Malolos under favourable auspices and in a decidedly successful manner. It had been called together by proclamation of Pre- parts of Luzon and some of the other islands. sident Aguinaldo and delegates came from all Fully one hundred accredited representatives were present. The assembly was presided over by the President, who opened the proceedings with a modest brief address.
A large number of Americans and Britishers went to Malolos to witness the convening of the congress. highly of the dignity and ability of the men Among these was Consul Williams, who speaks forming it. It is only frank and fair to admit that overybody was agreeably surprised at the appearance, self possession, refined manner, and orderly demeanour that characterized the delegates. They behaved in the most up-to- date way. They conducted themselves and their proceedings as if they were veteran members of
the British House of Commons or of the United States Senate. In short the impression created was excellent.
Of course Malolos was gay. It was in holiday attire as it has been every day since Aguinaldo arrived. The residents were all happy, first, By two o'clock in the afternoon of the 14th
because their town was selected as the capital, it became generally known that the rebels would and, second, because so much money was being probably march out with some style and show. brought to the placo by natives and foreigners Hence when late in the afternoon the troops
who came from Manila aud other points. The began to move from the buildings occupied by congress will probably remain in session some them and form into line large crowds of people, days. All Americans and Britishers who visit' especially natives, with a sprinkling of for-
Malolos are shown marked kindness by the in- eigners, had collected at various points of surgent leaders and by the common people. vantage to see them march by. Those who Suspicion may be present but it is not offensive. watched were not disappoin, They moved
I should not forget to call attention to the fact out on both the north and south sides of the that the congress was made up of men from city at about the same hour On the south different professions. Only a portion of them side, i.e., south of the Pasig, where I saw them, were soldiers or of the fighting class. There fully 2,000 men were in line ander arms. They were many doctors, some lawyers, men of large marched down across the farge open area that
landed estates, teachers, and merchants. All borders on the Luneta and thence along the
were well dressed in atylish European clothes Calle Real through Ermita and Malate out-stylish for the Islands, hardly for Piccadilly towards l'aranaque. Three very good bands provided the necessary music, numerous flags, some of which were silken, gave colour to the scene, officers on horseback neatly uniformed and erect furnished military dignity and effect, while the rank and file of natives, most of them trudging along under heavy weights and often carrying two rifles, one old and one new, wearing broad brimmed straw hats turned up in front, barefooted and marching in any step that suited them, yet ever smiling and seemingly happy, made the whole scene so picturesque and odd that the memory of it will not soon pass away. Viewed
and Broadway. Committees were appointed for this and that purpose, at the head of which were placed men who were specially suited for. the work in hand. While among these men there is a strong feeling that they can run an independent government, there is every reason
to believe that the ablest and most influential
natives, including Aguinaldo himself, realize that such government would be hopeless unless under the protection of the United States. I would not be surprised if the deliberations of this congress should include a petition to the American President to establish a protectorate,
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