Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 19, Number 85, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 July 1898 — DO NOT BELIEVE IT. [ARTICLE]

DO NOT BELIEVE IT.

Spanish Officials Doubt the Report of American Invasion. DISCREDIT THE ORDERS TO WIISOS. They Take the Precaution, However, to Be Heady to DC'fend Their Porta the Situation at ‘ —Manila Grave. Madrid, June 29. —The Spanish officials here assert that there will Jae do difficulty in Admiral Camara traversingthe Suez cunal, as the accompanying transports,'they add, have all the coal the squadron requires. It is believed here that the Spanish ships will enter the canal Tuesday. The Spanish government does not credit the report that an American squadron is to visit Spanish waters, but the ministers say they have taken all possible precautions, that the ports are all ready and that 26,000 men who have been called to the colors will be distributed among the principal Atlantic and Mediterranean ports o£,Spain. . Refute* to Surrender. Madrid, June 29. —Aguinhldo, the insurgent leader, it is announced from Manila officially, has called upon Cupt. Gen. Augusti to surrender, but the latter refused, saying he was “resolved to maintain the sovereignty of Spain and the honor of the flag to the last extremity.” Madrid, June, 29.—Capt, Gen. Au-

gusti cables from Manila under date of June 23, that he continues to maintain his position, though the enemy is increasing in numbers, while torrential rnins are inundating the entrenchments and desertions of native soldiers are increasing. It is estimated that the insurgents number 30,000 armed with rifles and 100,000 armed with swords, etc. Augusti has over 1,000 sick and 200 wounded. The citadel has been invaded by the suburban inhabitants, who have abandoned their homes owing to the barbarity of the rebels. Those inhabitants constitute an embarrassment, aggravating the situation, in view of thr bombardment, which, however, is not seriously apprehended for the moment. Capt. Gen. Augusti’s family is still in the* hands of the insurgents. Gen. Pena, with a thousand soldiers, has surrendered. His soldiers, most of whom are natives, joined the insurgents. A ma jority of the detachments in the island of Luzon huve surrendered, owing to their lack of food, though some succeeded in escaping. Sol Hold to attain. Washington, June 29.—The O’Hlgglns has not been sold to Spain, and positive information has reached here that Chili will not sell the ship to any government. Troop* for Mnnlln. Washington, June 29.—The understanding at the war department is that the total number of regulars and volunteers which will be dispatched to Manila in command of Maj. Gen. Merritt will approximate 21.000 men. Of these 10,000 already have left San Francisco in three separate expeditions. To llrrUrr American Supremacy. Kan Francisco, June 29. —Gen. Merritt expects to take possession of the Philippines peuceubly. Should resistance be offered, however, he will be fully prepared to use force and plenty of It. He will discuss the matter with Dewey at Manila, and the two will act in concert in whatever move is made. In order that the Filipinos may not misunderstand his motives and intentions, Gen. Merritt has prepared a proclamation, which is printed in Spanish. Thousands of copies will be posted in the islands. and there is no chance for at yone I there to fail to grasp what is meant by the document, The chief points are the announcement that the I'nited Suites, represented by Gen. Merritt, has formed a provisional government in the islands; that his authority Is supreme; that no oppression is Intended; that liberty will be allowed every inhabitant I so far ns it can go without conflirtiqg : with law and order, and that, above all I things, the.freedom of the people is desired, the ultimate aim being their release from Spanish bondage. Warning to Herman*. London, June 29.—A dispatch to the DallyTelegraphfrom Manila says; The report that Germany will not permit a bombardment is exciting deep irritation in the American fleet. Admiral

Dewey intends to demand a capitulation- the instant reenforeements arrive. He told Prince Henry of Prussia that he would be glad to see the German officers at Manila, but it would be well to caution them to keep out of the American line of fire. It remains to be seen whether Germany has really given such promises as are pretended. More British Ships Needed at Manllii. London, June 29. The Evening News publishes a long dispatch from Manila covering the points already cabled to the press. It emphasizes the strong anti-British feeling which has sprung up at. the capital of the Philippine islands and refers to the necessity of sending more British ships there, and to the conviction of the Spaniards that Germany is going to help them.