s
during the night."

From the high points in the city fires were seen in a dozen places,
and a cloud of smoke hovered over the city, conveying the impression
to people about the bay and in the outside districts that the whole
city was burning.

On the 21st of February the Nebraska troops drove a force of 300
insurgents three miles to Pasig. Twenty-one of them were found dead
on the field and many more were believed to have been killed. The
Americans had three wounded.

A most serious problem confronts General Otis in the protection
of Manila and the suburban towns from fire, not only because of the
treacherous character of the rebel Filipinos, but also because outside
of the business establishments the houses are built of the flimsiest
bamboo, hung with matting screens. Even the floors are made of strips
of bamboo, separated so as to allow the free circulation of air. It is
within the power of almost any person to set fire to these houses from
without or within in a few seconds, and, as they are closely built,
the ravages of a single fire in a quarter so closely constructed
might easily reach the $500,000 point mentioned by General Otis.

The foreign quarter is of better construction, but still includes
many of these light bamboo houses, which the older residents seem to
find cooler than those of more solid construction. The walled town,
which the insurgents threaten to burn, is said to be of substantial
structures, and probably is more easily defended against such an
attempt than any other section of the town.

February 26th, 6:30 A. M., a dispatch was received from Colombo,
Island of Colon, as follows:

"The United States transport Grant, which sailed from New York for
Manila January 19 with troops under command of Major-General Henry
W. Lawton on board, arrived here to-day. General Lawton received a
cablegram from Major-General Otis saying:

"'Situation critical. Your early arrival necessary.'

"He also received from General Corbin, United States Adjutant-General,
a cable dispatch urging him to hurry.

"General Lawton ordered his officers to buy supplies regardless of
expense, and the transport is taking on coal and water hurriedly. She
will try to reach Manila without further stop."

March 4th a dispatch from General Lawton on the Grant at Singapore
was received as follows:

"Arrived here to-night. Will stop six hours for coal. Have no serious
illness to report. Favorable conditions still continue.