THE PHILIPPINES.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 64, 16 March 1900, Page 3

THE PHILIPPINES.

BUBONIC PLAGUE IN MANILA. Dispatch from Manila, dated Pebruray 17, says: Out of a total of 51 eases supected bubonic plague reported 42 proved genuine and 32 deaths resulted, half of them Chinese. There were twelve cases within the last week, mostly within the walled city. Hundreds of inspectors are en^ forcing sanitary regulations. Thirty inspectors are furnished by Chinese merchants. The gunboat Princeton, acting under orders from Admiral Watson, viisted Tatanes and Calagan Islands, which were omitted in the Paris treaty of peace, raised the i American flag and appointed native governors. The Princeton occupied! the northern islands under Govern- j me.nt orders, but there are rumours that Japan intended to take the islands. The natives submitted willingly to acts of the Americans, and took the oath of allegiance. Of late the insurgents have harassed the j Americans in Alba.y province. The Lxizon natives camp in the hills and keep up a constant fire on the American outposts. When the troops sally against them they scatter, returning when the Americans retire. They shoot burning arrows and have thus destroyed most of the town of AVbay. Most towns in the province are deserted, except by the garrisons, and the inhabitants do not return to their homes. Much suffering is reported among them, owing to lack of food. It is supposed armed insurgents prevent them going back. Guerilla warfare continues south of Manila. Two attempts have been made to ambush Americans. Expeditions are being sent out in various directions. At Washington President McKinley is appointing the new Commission to go to the Philippines with the hope ofbringing about some sort of understanding with the natives or bringing back information which will be of value in adjusting difficulties which seem as far as ever from solution. Men only will be sent who will promise to remain in the islands so long as their services are needed there. Three Commissioners alrea-dy appointed are Messrs Taft, Denby, and Worcester, the two latter having been members of a Commission previously sent by President McKinley, Two members are yet to be selected.