'
October 21, 1899,]
THE VISITS OF INSURGENT COMMISSIONERS,
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
The only advantage besides the defeats has | THE " ESMERALDA'S been a gain of three to four miles of territory
and burn the town have been discovered, and Several rooted attempts to create uprisings it is due chiefly to the exceeding activity of the military and civil police that the plots have tioned about the town for many nights, and been unsuccessful. Double guards were sta-
attempts at burning and small but unusual dis even in spite of this vigilance there were several turbances occurred in many of the streets. from church towers and high buildings showed Series of signals with lights and flags made plaiuly that the insurrectos were at work, and there was considerable shooting between the guards and unknown persons at night.
Manila, 11th October. The last visit of the Filipinos with Commis-along the bay shore. sioner Alejandrino at their head has been con- demned by many of those in authority, as well as the public at large, as one of the poorest of moves that the Americans have made. benefit to the insurgents is far-reaching aud
Its apparently so quickly realized that the town has been set gosipping. It seems as though any sort of commission has but to manoeuvre so as to safely reach an American outpost, aud in a short time there will be a Major-General and a couple of Brigadiers to welcome them and furnish them with a suitable escort and train to take them to Manila, where they put up at the best hotel and spend two or three pleasant| days in visiting their families and sympathizers, and incidentally pay a visit to General Otis to offer the respects of President Aguinaldo; but as no recongaition can be taken of the insur- gent leader in that capacity the polite offerings are overlooked,
and private buildings and there were many Arms were discovered in some of the churches other evidences of a well formed plan to create trouble in Manila.
Spaniards, amigo Filipinos, and other re- touch with local conditions, say that the appear sidents who are supposed to know and keep in ance of the Filipino commission and their re- ception in Manila was in a large measure responsible for these signs of new life in the Filipino cause.
Since the outbreak many insurgent officers have come through the American lines calling themselves commissioners representing Aguin- aldo-the Pilars, Mariano Trias, and others-but never, so far as any visible or even rumoured result is concerned. have they had anything tangible to offer, or any reasonable excuse for the state of affairs it is not an exaggeration to If present observations are any indication of asking the conference. Though masked under various deceptive propositions the game has
say that the insurrectos were never in better always been the same, namely, to obtain recogni- broad statement, especially after six and one- form than they are to-day. This is a rather tion in some form as representatives of a repub-half months of war with the Americans, but I lic or government. They have come from Aguinaldo, President of the Filipino Republic, and have been told that he could be looked upon in no other light than as the leader of certain armed forces in rebellion against the authority of the United States. A few days elapse and back comes another commission on a similar
mission with the same propositions in somewhat different guise. With one or two exceptions these commissions have been made up of differ ent men, so that we have had a large variety of visitors. Possibly applications for a week's leave are granted with the option of visiting Manila and applying to the Adjutant General for an extension of time, while the travel en-
joined may be considered necessary for the public good.
These numerous experiences have taught those who wish to know, what can be expected in the future, and looking from an unprejudiced standpoint, it is difficult to see the reason or the wisdom in permitting repetitions of such visits. Aside from the buoyant impetus given to Aguinaldo's cause by the appearance of his gaily dressed officers on Manila's streets, the standing of American officers is not at all raised in running about after insurgent com. mittees, Most important negotiations have been carried on in other wars on neutral ground, or at least in the vicinity of the frontier, and opinions are freely expressed that such a course might be followed to advantage, thus doing away with the theatrical visits to the capital city. Otis himself says that the propositions made to him are of practically no value and that in spite of the first and final refusal, harp- ing has continued on the same string.
The entrance of Alejandrino and his aids with the liberated Americans was perhaps the most reasonable of the visits-it certainly wa productive of the most valuable results for the Filipinos. Demonstrations were made all over the city and especially in the square fronting the Hotel Oriente, where a great crowd of ad. miring natives collected to salute and cheer their General's representatives. Again, when Alejandrino was leaving on the train for Auge- les, the depot and water front were crowded with his countrymen and their faces betrayed more than mere curiosity. Alejandriuo can return to Tarlac and truthfully report to Auginaldo that he was cheered in the streets of Manila, where even those living under the advantages of American rule still remain loyal and ready to serve him.
THE SITUATION.
It may be only a coincidence, but just after the insurgent General had left the city the enmey began a series of stubborn attacks that extended clear around the entire lines from Imus to Guagua. The movement was quite disastrous to them, but they succeeded in kill. ing two American offers and wounding five obaira, 233.193 sweaty to pairty sulistel m›n.
beliere that careful consideration will show that it is not very far from the truth.
TEAMSTERS FOR THE TRANSVAAL.
Manila, 16th October.
The British Consulate has been bothered with many Americans, and odds and ends of Mauila's surplus population, who have come in an ever increasing stream to apply for positions as
able way a persistant rumour has spread about teamsters for the Transvaal. In some unaccount- the town to the effect that the British Govern- ment is in need of drivers and general stock men, and ever since the papers have decided that there must be war hundreds of the un. old time horsemen and that the Transvaal is the employed hare suddenly decided that they are
only place for them.
839
· EVENTFUL
VOYAGE TO MANILA.
extracts from the log of the China and Manila We have been supplied with the following steamer Esmeralda ;---
in tow belonging to the Quartermaster's Depart Hongkong for Manila with a large lighter On Monday, 2nd October, the Esmeralda left
of the usual troubles in towing all went well ment of the U.S. Army. With the exception
under way again. During the day the wind and until 12.40 p.m. of the 3rd, when the tow rope parted. A boat was lowered and at 4 p.m. had tow
rope again broke. A high sea running and the sea were increasing from N.E. 8 30 p.m. Tow
alda had to keep the lighter in sight until day. commuuication with the lighter so the Esmer- night being dark it was impossible to effect
light of 4th. To add to the gravity of the situation the wind during the night had backed
Wind and sea increasing, turned vessel's head to 10.30 a,m. had the tow in hand again. P.m., to north and the barometer kept falling. At
squalls and high sea. Thursday a.m., Wind N.W. At midnight fresh gals with heavy hauling to N.E. and barometer steady. 5 o'clock
overcast squally weather. 5.45 a.m., Tow rope heavy sea throughout. Friday, fresh gale and kept vessel on course. Noon, strong gale and
again parted. The people on the lighter being helpless in making the tow rope properly fast the tow and effect this, which service was carried Mr. Blaxland, chief officer, volunteered to board - out in very plucky and satisfactory manner in spite of the high sea running. The crew of the lighter was also transferred on board the Es. meralda, and although high confused seas and generally dirty weather was experienced to the very end of the voyage the Esmeralda brought Jaq tow safely to Manila on Monday morning.
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In vain have the obliging officials turned knowledge that the British forces were light in away man after man, saying that they had no the teamster line, and that if such were the case from so distant a port as Manila; the men still there would be no possible chance for applicants continue calling and apparently there is no end to the stream in sight.
A person would naturally think that the foverish population of Manila would be so occupied with the war that is going about them that it would have no time to
on
become interested in the martial troubles of vaal difficulty is eagerly watched and warmly other nations; but the progress of the Trans- debated on the streets and in the clubs,
EIGHT-THIRTY IN MANILA.
The strictest kind of martial law rules the city, and the streets are full of the soldiers and native police. When the curfew sounds at half past eight, Manila is, to the uninitiated, a deserted city, and woe to the unfortunate per- son who finds himself out of doors after the bells have sounded. A few fortunate ones are in possession of passes and the bearers are permit- ted to travel freely after the most rigid inspec. tious. It is safe to gamble on being challenged onco in every square, while in tough districts the sentries are posted three or four hundreds yards apart and patrols march along every few minutes. Those who have no passes are promptly hustled to the nearest police station and taken before the officer in charge. A man's posi- tion in the community makes but little differ- ence in the eyes of the law, and the usual result is an uncomfortable night in some damp gaol with a small fine for the morning.
Though this sort of thing is rather incon- venient at times, nevertheless it is generally realised that the measures are no more than the present conditions render necessary. A man may grumble at being sharply ordered out of his carriage into the middle of a half foot mud puddle to display his pass; but at the same time he feels that the public safety is being cared for.
THE TRIAD SOCIETY PROSE- CUTIONS.
At the Magistracy on the 13th October, be- fore Mr. Gompertz, Pang Tai Shan, farmer, shopkeeper, Kwai Sin; and Pang Fat, coolie. Kowloon Hang, Sheng U distriot;_ Shek Po, Taipohu, Luk Yeuk district, were charged with being members of an unlawful society known as the Triad Society, on the 3rd instant, at Kow- loon Hang.
Captain Superintendent May conducted the Prosecution. Mr. Reece appeared for Shek Po.
The Captain Superintendent said these men Society. They were arrested at a village called were charged with being members of a Triad
daylight on the 3rd inst. Kowloon Hang in the New Territory just about In the house in which they were arrested were found an almost Under the last section of the Ordinance where complete set of insignia of the Triad Society..
such things were found it was laid down that that should be prima facie evidence of member- ship. He proposed to prove the finding of these documents, and to ask His Worship to commit the defendants for trial for being members of a Triad Society.
inst. at 6 a.m. he went with the Captain Super- Chinese constable 128 said that on the 3rd
intendent of Police to a house in the vallage of Kowloon Hang, in the New Territory, and arrested the second and third defendants there. They were in the same room. rest he saw the articles produced found on the After their ar- premises.
Chinese coustable 279 said he saw the previous witness arrest the second and third defendants. He searched the room in which they were ar rested and found the Chinese paper flags pro duced in a cock loft in the room, together with some paper tablets, a key to the mysteries, ete.
the first defendant in the house. He was in. In reply to Mr. Reece, witness said he saw the same room as the third defendant. He did not see the second defendant there. The men arrested by the previous witness were the first and third defendants. went about worshipping they did not take about When Tao ist priests with them such things as those produced.
Re-examined by the Captain Superintendent third defendants. -He only saw two men arrested the first and
Charles M. Messer said that on the 3rd inst. he went with the Captain Superintendent and party of police to Kowloon Hang. He saw
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