Items of Interest November 9, 1899 Issue

Items of Interest

The first meeting of the Philippine Commission was held at Washington, D.C., October 30. The Commission met daily from 10 A.M to 1 P.M, and all the sessions were secret. A preliminary report was submitted to the President November 2. The report is a summary of the condition of the islands when the Commission left them; of the events which led to the original Filipino insurrection; of the exchanges between Admiral Dewey and the other commanders and insurgents; the progress of the present insurrection, and finally, a statement regarding the Filipinos' capacity for selfgovernment. The report includes a memorandum by Admiral Dewey explanatory of his relations with Aguinaldo. The report endorses the policy of President McKinley in suppressing the rebellion, and favors the retention of the islands. The report was considered satisfactory, and received the full approval of the Cabinet.

The Boers gained a big victory over the British at Ladysmith, October 30. Between fifteen hundred and two thousand men mere surrounded by the enemy and after a hard fight were compelled to surrender. During the fight the mules stampeded with the guns and ammunition. The British soldiers fought as long as they had ammunition, and then surrendered. The Boers' loss was nearly a thousand killed and wounded. Since the battle the Boers have succeeded in cutting off all communication with Ladysmith, and General White's position is believed to be precarious. Re-enforcements are being sent to the British soldiers as rapidly as possible.

Sir Thomas Lipton, the owner of the Shamrock, sailed for home November 1, on the St. Louis. Before his departure he said that within the next three months his challenge for the America's cup would be in the hands of the New York Yacht Club. He said it will be impossible to have a new boat built in time for the races in 1900, but he would be ready in 1901.

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