The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1899-02-09
WAR AGAIN!
This Time With the FilipinOs at
Manila.

Insurgents Force the Issue.
Fighting between the Filipino forces
under Aguinaldo before Manila and the
U. s. forces occupying that city was
inaugurated saturday last. A dispatch
was received by the navy department
from Admiral Dewey as follows:
Manila, Feb. g.
To the Secretary of the Navy, Washing.
ton:
Insurgents here inaugurated general
engagement yesterday night which was
continued today. The American army
and navy is generally successful. In
surgents have been driven back and our
line advanced. No casualties to navy
(Signed) Dewey.
The news came like shock, for the
administration though apprised that an
ugly situation prevailed in the Philip
pines, had chung steadily to hope that
by tact and patience actual fighting
might be averted
A dispatch was also received from
General Otis as follows;
Adjutant General, Washington:
Fifth February. Insurgents in large
force opened attack on our outer lines
at 8.45 last evening; renewed attack
several times during night; at four
O'Clock this morning entire line engaged !;
all attacks repulsed; at daybreak ad
vanced against insurgents and have
driven them beyond the lines formerly
occupied, capturing several villages and
their defense work; insurgents loss in
dead and wounded large; our own cas-
ualties thus far estimated at one hundred
and seventy live, very few fatal. Troops
enthusiastic and acting fearlessly. Navy
did fearful execution on TANKS of enemy :;
city held in check and absolute quiet
prevails; insurgents have secured good
many Mauser rifles, few field pieces
and quick firing guns with ammunition
during last month. OTIS
The immediate cause of the attack
was an advance by two Filipinos to the
Nebraska outpost on the northeast of
the city. When ordered to halt they
refused and the sentry fired. An insur
gent signal gun WAS then fred from
lockhouse seven and an attack was
Immediately begun on the Nebraska
regiment which was encamped there.
The fighting soon spread on both sides
until firing was in progress on all out
posts around the city. The American
troops responded vigorously, the insur
gent fire being heavy and the attack evil
IDENTITY hurriedly planned. Firing con
tinued throughout the night with an
occasional cessation of from half an hour
to an hour at time. At day break the
warships Charleston and Callao began
Smelling the north side of the city. Their
fire was followed later by that of the
Monadnock on the southern side, the
insurgent position having been previous
ly accurately located.
Nebraska, Kansas, Montana, North
Dakota, Utah, California and Washing
ing troops were engaged and all did
good fighting
The Fillipano losses in the fight at
Manila, Saturday and Sunday are re-
ported TO have been enormous. Losses
are estimated to have been, 1000 killed
and wounded and 5000 or more prison
ers. The losses on the American side
we're 40 killed and some 200 wounded.
Gen Otis occupies miles of the terri
tory occupied by the Fillipano forces.
Members of the Fillipano Junta at
Washington have left there for Canada.
A forward movement on Halo is ex
pected early.
Aguinaldo's proclamation of Saturday
says:
II order and commando (First) That
peace and friendly relations with the
Americans be broken and that the latter
be treated az enemies, within the limits
prescribed by the laws of war. (Second)
That the Americans captured be held as
prisoners of war. (Third) That this
proclamation be communicated to the
consuls and that Congress order and &C
cord the declaration of war"
Gen. Otis reports the situation i'm
proving at Manila. Natives are return
ing to their villages displaying white
flags Aguinaldo appeals for cessation
of hostilities and asks for peace con
ference. The city is quiet and business
being resumed. 1t is understood at
ashngton that Gen Otis will make
the laying down of arms the condition
of dealing with the insurgents at all,
and if that condition is met, of course it
will mean speedy termination of the
rebellion The government has the
utmost confidence in him