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cityof Molo, by mutual agreement.
t. Molo is strongly fortified, much of it has been burned £for clearings, a and the streets are cut up with trenches.~*~* The presence of the gunboats (Spanish) in the habours is the only serious im- pediment to the Filipinos. Their
ibers about 2;500 armed men with force num-
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THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
some ten thousand mixed natives, equipped with bolos, spears, and so on. The leaders are General Rios and Colonel Branbeis on the Spanish | side, and Angel Corteza of the natives. A popular superstition is rife among the natives whereby they believe they will only die for three days, then to rise again in some other place; hence the bodies are not buried for three days. Among the Filipines are four een cannon and four Maxims. The ammunition for the latter is very limited. The Spanish claim twenty-five cannon, eight of which are centimeter calibre. Both sides are throwing up fortificatious in clear view and range, but, as was the case in Manila, the most skirmishing takes place at night. The ory of the Spanish and foreigners is the same as at Manila, viz., "will the Americans never come," etc. Rein- forcements have been daily expected from the Caroline Islands and on Tuesday last, the 13th inst., one hundred and twenty-five Spanish recruits and soldiers, came in. The total number expected is two hundred and fifty, who have been garrisoned at the Caroline Group.
Torches have been found in the principal houses of the city of Iloilo, among them being the English Club and the Bank and several residences; they are supposed to have been secreted there by the Spaniards, who in case the city is taken will retire to the Spanish ships and burn the city.
The ships in the harbour last week were the Toon XIII., a Spanish mail steamer, and the Gen. Alvara, a troopship, the English gunboat Flover, and the German cruiser Irene. The bridge connecting the city with the mainland has been cut and it is generally admitted that if the Filipinos only knew their strength they would capture the city with but little loss.
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Several hundred native soldiers who have been in the Spanish service were sent up to Manila to be discharged, as the Spanish feared their loyalty. The first batch managed to land without opposition; the second lot have not been allowed to leave the ship, which now lies
yet none of the released ones have been seen. It is rather strange that after Aguinaldo had apparently established bis right to retain the in unexpectedly release prisoners he should so them. It is to be hoped that the news is au- thentic and that the good work will be accom- plished. Should it be so, this will only be one | more example in a long list of acts on the part of the natives that shows clearly their reason- able position and human character.
THE NAVY.
Some days ago a telegram appeared in the papers stating that the American fleet was again to appear in white paint, but as yet no- thing has been done toward this end. The Raleigh left for New York city via Suez on the morning of the 16th inst. She will reach her destination about the end of February unless her orders are changed.
In addition to the fast cruiser Buffalo that is now almost due, the Yosemite is expected to come to Manila, with stores and ammunition. She will escort two troopships carrying regulars who, it is expected, will relieve the Volunteers now on service in the Philippines.
OUTBREAK IN NOW H FORMOSA,
[FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.]
Taipeh, 19th December. During the summer months this year, the leaders among the insurgents in North For.
m088,
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at the solicitation of a Government commissioner, threw down their arms and swore allegiance to the Japanese Empire, and were afterwards engaged in road making and in cultivation of the savage border lands. Nearly all the other bandits were eventually captured or disappeared to avoid the rigilant search made for them by the authorities and for a few months disturbances ceased and harmony be- tween the Government and the ex-insurgents apparently existed. The impression now pre troublesome pests and we were rather boastful of the peace and quietude existing while the south of the island was constantly disturbed by the banditti attacks.
vailed in the north that we were rid of the
Groat astonishment, therefore, resulted on
gun reportal echoing in town in gun in the north
Shilt
December 31, 1898.
Taipeh and Tamsai were brought into the field for that purpose.
the
At daybreak on the 11th a party consisting of 16 men, led by some ex-rebels who noted as guides, started on a mission to communicate the Government order to Kwantaishi and to arrest him should he resist the Government's demands for his removal. When about half way to their destination the Japanese were fired upon by insurgents. This was taken us a signal for the military to come into action, Lieut. Colouel Umawatari, the Commander forces, having ordered a detachment to assault the insurgents' position upon a hilltop at the eastern end of Sozansho the Japanese first attacked the insurgents there and quickly captured the place. While the Japanese were advancing, another band of insurgents made their appearance on an adjacent hill side and, partially hidden by the underbush, they poured down upon the Japanese á strong fire, but the Japanese pressed on and soon diskdged the enemy.
Advancing further was, however, found more difficult task, the insurgents lying in ambush, occupying a very advantageous position from which the attacking party, who were obliged to ascend the mountain side along nar- row and exposed pathways, found it difficult to drive them. Eventually, however, the en
enemy gave way, leaving their newly built fortifica tions to fall into the hands of the Japanese. The fighting lasted for two hours. From then ou the rebels offered no opposition in that direc tion and the Japanese easily occupied Kwan- taishi's headquarters.
In the midst of the hot skirmish there was proceeding at another point an engage- ment not so favourable to the Japanese. It was at the village of Sozanskio, where was
stationed a small Japanese force. They and some insurgents were exchanging fire over a creek when suddenly they found then selves surrounded by an overwhelming number of the enemy, whom they at first thought to be but a crowd of peaceful villagers. There was no hope of defeating so numerous an enemy and the detatchment retreated, hotly followed by the insurgents, towards a position which the former know to be occupied by a few artillery. men with two mountain guns. The artillery
shell apon sighting the Chinese, fired
advance
in the harbour. The case is rauning the gauntlet reached Twatutia` and three wounded police | at them, but it did not affected until the
of the American authorities and it is almost certain that landing will not be permitted. The poor fellows have absolutely nothing but little bundles of clothing tied up in their handkerchiefs to show for their two years or more of service.
A NEW REPUBLIC IN THE SOUTH, It is reported on good authority that a new government called the Visayan Republic has been organized in the southern islands, and the following official proclamation has been issued, irrespective of Aguinaldo, Dewey, the United States, or any other country: President-Roque Lopez. Vice-President-Vicente Franos. Secretary of tate-Ramon Tomaz Aranceno Lord Chief Justice-Ivito Fnsai. Secretary of Treasury-Venancio Conception. And so on, right down through the entire list of chief Government officers. It is The scarcely necessary to mention them all. organization throughout is very orude aud mixed. The military recognize Martin Delgado as General-in-Chief; the division General, ac- cording to location, is l'erfecto Pablador. A new tri-colored flag has been adopted and from under its folds the little nation boldly saintes the world, good, bad, and indifferent.
were
seen being burriedly carried on stretchers to the Twatutia Police Station Soon rumours were about to the effect that serious fighting had occurred at Patchina, a small town only two miles to the north, but further details could not be obtained.
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Towards evening an "extra was issued by the Japanese paper published here which told us Chat it was Kwantaishi who had rebelled, thus breaking his promises to the authorities.
Kwantaishi, bandit leader, a second Yu Man-
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in the least. The gunners now insurgents were in close range and then again fired and with such success that the shell burst right among the braves, killing of them and causing the others to scatter like fright- ened deer towards the hills. But even there the unruly natives were not to find refuge, for detachments of troops stationed in the mountain passes fired upon them as they fled, and in one pathway alone thirty-eight were killed.
While the operations were very succesful ainong the au- great disappointment was thorities that the head bandit, Kwantaishi, whose capture was the original object of the ex- pedition, should escape. Among the insurgents 78 were killed with a loss on the Japanese aide of two soldiers killed and several wounded. The insurgents, about 3110 in number, consisted mostly of young men who exhibited some knowledge of military training and were good marksmen.
tze, who lives in the north monutains, is a rough individual, as treacherous as he is daring. Although he made a pretence at surrendering to the authorities, he never could be persuaded to leave his mountain home. A short time ago various accounts describing his treacherous plans caused so much anxiety to the populace that the authorities were obliged to make au investiga- tion. Accordingly the authorities demanded an interview with the intention of persuading him to remove to Patchina, where he could be more
Early in the morning of the same day there was a skirmish on the opposite side of ulosely watched. Kwantaishi having consented this, the interview was set for the evening of the Tameni river between 160 insurgents and the 11th at Patohina. However, a few days
a police party from Twatutia resulting in a loss preceding the appointed day reports from vari- to the Japanese of three men wounded. | Re- ous sources confirmed the rumour that he was inforcements were hastily despatched from the owards levying war funds on the rich people of Patchina | oity, whereupon the insurgents fled
drad. An interview with Aguinaldo on the subject and the authorities kept a sharp watch on him Haisoanko, leaving eight men
It is believed that the plan of the insurgents was ineffectual, as the leader was indisposed, in consequence.
In addition to this about 800 insurgents sud-was to rise at once on both sides of the river on owing to strain of work. It is true that the ambitions successful General has a great denly attacked Jakirin Police Station on the this day, but the military authorities were very amount of work, that has of late been leaving night of the 10th and it was established beyond happily able to nip the scheme in the bud. its signs upon him, as he is looking pale and | doubt that Kwantaishi was connectel with the present affairs in the immediate neighton hood worn and considerably older than when he was outrage. It is true that after his surrender the of the capital appear to have quieted down Government had treated him with the most ex-again, although travel the Tamsui river ceptional leniency with a hope that he would to the port of Kobe is not considered safe and become law-abiding, but now that their efforts the country is in a much disturbed condition.
avail. vigorous measures had been of no were to be adopted for his permanent re- moval from the hill districts. To accomplish this it was decided, in view of the large number of his followers, to call out the military. To prevent any of his band from escaping it was planned to surround them, and soldiers from
in Hongkong.
The American opinion of Aguinaldo and the Filipinos in geueral is daily improving. As the outcome of General Otis's suggestions, it has been given forth from Malolos that liberty will be extended to the Spanish prisoners of the Civil Service and those of the soldiers who are really sick. Such concessions, after the lively correspondence that has been going on between „Otig and Aguiqaldɔ, is rather a surprise. As
At
It had been intended by the Mas nio frater- nity to give a ball this season, we understand, but the Craft having been thrown into mourn- ing by the death of Right Wor. Bro. Lord Lathom, the Pro-Grand Master, the event will not take place,
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