“Fortunately the wind changed at the moment the fire was discovered, and, fanned by a stiff breeze, the flames spread in the opposite direction, destroying fully twenty shacks and houses opposite the ruins of the church.  The incendiaries escaped.

“Mysterious signals were frequently made along the enemy’s lines 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.

“We shall probably reach Manila early on morning of March 10.  Have so informed Otis.”