The evening times., 1899-06-17
SATURDAY. JUNE II. 1899.
Macarthur mt san Fernando.


Our morning war news from Manila Is
exciting if not exhilarating. but we cannot
discuss it with complete satisfaction IN
advance of a bulletin which we are in mo-
mentary expectation of receiving from the
War Department. When issued, We un-
derstand that it will read: In view
of MacArthur's brilliant victory, 1t
is not anticipated that Aguinaido
will make another stand in the northern
provinces, where he has our forces sur
rounded. DENLY and Worcester are going
to the front with a full repertoire of new
and amusing lectures, to be on the ground
when the insurgents lay down their arms
and sue for peace"
On the basis OF what we have been al
lowed to learn of the situation, il does not
strike US that the crushing blow delivered
by Macarthur has been what the ungodiy
would call a knock out Indeed the
news rather gives the impression that Mac
Arthurs division has been cut off from
its base and that the General is making a
desperate attempt to withdraw to Manila.
On what theory he had pushed his small
flying column as far as Candaba, forty
cumstances. one is at loss to conceive.
1t seems. however, that he was in pos
session of that place the other day and
found the natives friendly" But he was
obliged to abandon the position and retire
TO San Fernando. ten miles nearer home.
According to press advices Agunaldo i'm
mediately occupied Candaba on its evaeu-
alton by the Americans, and butchered all
the Inhabitants whom he believed to have
been concerned in the surrender of the
town. So that part OF MacArthur's move
ment appears to have accomplished little
beyond retreat followed by a massacre of
''friendlies."
In prosecution of this energetic rainy
season campaign for the suppression of the
rebellion. our Northern division discovered
that the mutineers were in large force be-
tween them and Manila, hence the battle
at San Fernando in which the enemy was
routed with slaughter as usual. But San
Fernando is at least thirty miles distant
from our base and it is to be apprehended
that there may have to be several other
brilliant victories before Macarthur can
get back to where his guns are likely to be
s.
words, the indications are that the main
body of the Filipinos is between Otis and
Macarthur, and that may mean an un-
comfortable situation for both
The Candaba and San Fernando deveIop-
ments explain the native strategy during
the past two weeks or more The vigorous
fighting south of Manila evidently has been
with view to drawing as many of our
troops as possible in that direction and en-
gaging them actively, so that re-enforce-
ments could not be spared for MacArthur's
benefit. That maneuvre having been con-
Quoted with some success, the principal
Tagal force, under the personal command
of Aguinaldo. has undertaken to cut off
and overpower our flying column to the
north.
At the Adjutant Generals office yester-
day, it was said. with proper pride, that
Macarthur has seven thousand men with
him. a number regarded as sufficient to
wipe the earth with any opposing force
1t is a good many men under some
circumstances, but perhaps not in these
The rebels are behind US in the direction OF
Candaba, and in front of US south of San
Fernando. 1t may be assumed that they
are in vastly superior force. II Otis should
weaken his garrison. or withdraw his bril-
sades from the vicinities OF Bacoor and
linus, it is probable that he would again be
assailed from the south and west and the
assault upon Manila, which is plainly the
ultimate object OF the enemys present
campaign, might be precipitated.
These are unpleasant reflections, but
they cannot be avoided. Even in spite Of
Mr.. McKinley's rigorous censorship and
the system Of suppression which he is ac-
cused of maintaining, enough has leaked
out to demonstrate the stupidity with
which our war authorities have misman-
aged the whole war business in the Phil
ippines. They have had three months no.
tice that the situation there would demand
at least from sixty to seventy-five thou
sand troops They now know positively
that failure stares them in the face IL they
do not at once get out every rifle allowed
by law and place the provisional army in
the field. Yet the President hesitates and
INDUCES in a holiday excursion when the |
loss of each minute necessarily involves |
the loss Of American lives and possibly |
something worse.
The country is calling halt to this pol |
icy of criminal imbecility. President Nc |
Kinley may shed tears and say prayers
over the necessity Of the hour, but he will |
have to bow to 1t. The American people |