The rebels have been so successful that they are not willing to make peace unless they get very good terms, and so they ask that all who have taken part in the revolt shall be given a free pardon, that three million pesetas (a peseta is worth about twenty cents) shall be paid to the insurgent chiefs, that the Philippine Islands shall be represented in the Spanish Cortes, and that half the government offices in the islands shall be held by natives. The insurgents also demand that the power of the priests shall be lessened, as the rebellion was really caused by the disagreements between the friars and the people.
An amusing filibustering incident has occurred during the week.
The Spaniards obtained information that the Cubans were fitting out a large expedition with arms and men for the insurgents. They had engaged a ship called the Premier for this purpose, and were making their preparations with all possible haste and secrecy.
The Spaniards gave information to our Government, and requested that the expedition be stopped.
But the Cubans have as many spies around as the Spaniards, and it was soon learned that the Premier expedition was known to the authorities. Without appearing to change their plans about the Premier, the Cubans made a secret arrangement with another ship called the Silver Heels, and prepared her to take their cargo instead of the Premier.
The watchful Spaniards soon found out about the new vessel, and even learned the hour and dock at which she was to receive her cargo.
Our Government was warned, and a revenue cutter got ready to intercept the Silver Heels as soon as she should really have started on her voyage.
The Cubans were attempting to load and despatch their vessel from the port of New York, and so it was expected that, with all the police boats and cutters available here, it would be an easy matter to catch and convict all concerned in the expedition.
A detective was sent to watch the dock at which the Silver Heels was to be loaded. Sure enough, the vessel slipped up to the pier as soon as night had fallen, and the detective watched suspicious-looking cases being hastily put on board, and suspicious-looking characters taking passage in her. He became convinced that a filibustering expedition was indeed being sent out. To make quite sure, he watched until the last of her load was put on board. The last man had reached the deck, and the vessel, in tow of a river tug, had once more pulled out of the dock.