Jasper County Democrat, Volume 1, Number 46, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 February 1899 — REBELS FIRE MANILA [ARTICLE]

REBELS FIRE MANILA

PROPERTY LOSS IN THE TOWN IS ENORMOUS — h Native* Apply tbe Torch Baring Night Attack Filipinos Driven to the Jangle® by- American Troops-Visay-aas tier to Fight Agsinaldo. The rebels fired the city of Manila Wednesday night, applying the torch to many buildings. The greater part of the city is heavily damaged. The attempt to burn the city was followed by an outbreak of rebel sympathizers and severe fighting in the streets followed. The troops suppressed the ontbreak by prompt and determined action. A number of tbe insurgents were killed and several American soldiers were wounded. A large market place was among the first to burn. Between six and seven hundred residences and business houses were destroyed. Fires were started at several paints simultaneously and, spreading with great rapidity, resisted nil efforts to control them. Native sharpshooters were concealed behind corner buildings. They shot at every American in sight. Flames burst forth simultaneously from Santa Cruz, San Nicolas ana'Tondo. From these |>olnts the flames spryad in all directions. In a short time tfie greater part of the city was on fire. Notwithstanding the continual firing of the hidden sharpshooters the American garrison turned out and fought the fire. In many cases they had first to drive away the larking assassins. None of oar troops was killed, but seven members of the Minnesota regiment were wounded while making a rush into the burning Tondo quarter. The troops were rallied from some of the outlying cncauqc ments. They quickly spread through all parts of the city and promptly subdued what was evidently planned for a general uprising and massacre. The fire lasted all night. The native rebels in the city have been completely subjected by the prompt work of Gen. Otis and the other commanders. It is evident that the incendiaries and assassins believed that the entire town would be de-

st roved end with it the foreign residents and the American soldiers. The loss will be very heavy. Strong guards are posted in all parts of the city and it is believed that another massacre will not l<e attempted.

The attempt to burn the city of Manila is part of the often announced plan of the insurgent*. Filipino spies and sympathizers have been watched l>y the American troops day and night. Many have been raptured. Some of them were disguised in women's clothing. Plots of all kinds have been rife. There has been constant fear for weeks that a massacre and conflagration would be attempted. Gen. Otis warned his officers to be ever vigilant stud since tbe first battle on Friday four troops have guarded all quarters within the lines. Anriento lainson. president of Negros Island, called on Gen. Otis with his fellow delegates. They assured Gen. Otis of the hearty support of the Yisayas. The government of Negros, they declared, was in favor of American rnle. The commission offered to raise an army of HV.itlO Visayans to fight the Tagalos on the island of Luzon. f