Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 20, Number 80, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 June 1899 — NATIVES SEEK VENGEANCE. [ARTICLE]

NATIVES SEEK VENGEANCE.

Massacre and Pillage Follow Retirement of Otis’ Army. Massacre and pillage have followed the retirement of the United States army from villages captured during the present Philippine campaign. It was found impossible to leave garrisons at all the towns and withdrawal from many was necessary. In each case armed Filipinos have reoccupied the cities, their first acts being to punish all suspected of approving of American sovereignty. Friendly natives arriving in Manila from the country around San Isidro and San Miguel report that a reign of terror has prevailed since the American troops were withdrawn from those parts of the islands. The insurgents who are returning there deal vengeance upon those of their countrymen who showed any friendship toward the Americans during the latter’s occupation of the territory. The friendlies declare that unoffending people are being murdered daily, their houses burned and their property confiscated. Plenty of sympathizers with the insurrection remained during the Americans’ stay and they have been reporting these instances of friendliness toward the United States troops. The add that the inhabitants were badly oppressed by the native soldiers before the American occupation, but that their condition is worse now. Doubtless there is much truth In the reports, though such stories from Filipino sources are always magnified.