OCR Text |
Show DECLINE TO DISBAND. SPAIN'S FILIPINO ALLIES ARE IN A SAD PLIGHT. Natives Who Have Alitnl the Spaniards llefuso to Olve up Thlr A run, Fearln the Yenceancenf Their Compatriots. Manila, April 22. Spain's evacuation of tho Philippine Islands will bo practically prac-tically complotcd by the withdrawal of the Spanish garrison from Zamboanga, Island of Mindanao, and from tho Sulu islands, and If tho United States assumes as-sumes control of Mindanao and the Sulu Islands on tho Spaniards' withdrawing, with-drawing, the lnllitury authorities must, In order to garrison thoso islands, diminish di-minish the forces of American troops, which nro already too small Thero was almost mutiny among tho Spanish troops in tho Islands, because they wero expocted to proceed to tho Lodrone and the Caroline Islands, some of them refusing to do so, claiming that their enlistment had expired. The latter wero exempted and allowed to return to Spain on board tho Alva. Tho native troops In tho Spanish gurrlson aro In a sad plight. They must accompany tho Spaniards or risk tho vcngcnncc of their compatriots. Tho Spaniards proposed to disband them, but they refused to give up tholr arms. Tho natives of Zamboanga aro likely to provo troublcsomo when tho Spanish troops are withdrawn from tho coast towns of the Island of Mindanao. It Is believed that the smouldering tribal wars will then be resumed, nnarchy will prevail and tho Inhabitants of nearly every village will fight with their neighbors. A tripartite exchange of prisoners will be arranged If It Is possible to nogotlatc with tho Filipinos as If they wero a civilized nation. If the Filipinos Fili-pinos consent to release tho Spanish prisoners, the Amerlcansmightreleaso tho Tagalogs they now hold prisoners, In return for which Spain would freo her political prisoners. The provisions of tho Paris treaty would thus bo carried car-ried out. The Spanish commission, however, hesitates to enter the Filipino Fili-pino lines, fearing treachery, although Agulnaldo has guaranteed tho safety of.thq commissioners. |