The age-herald., 1899-05-28
RAINS BRING
 GLOOM TO ARMY In Two Weeks Advantages GaiHedin Phil
 ippineS Will be Lost. GEN. LhNTON IS RETRIEVING The Withdrawal of MaCArthur'S Brl-
 gade Looked For. CAN'T HOLD THE TERRITORY Wagon Trains With Supplies Cannot Make Their Way Through the
 Seas of Mud Caused By
 the Heavy Rains
GEN. LhNTON IS RETRIEVING
CAN'T HOLD THE TERRITORY

Washing ton, May 27.-Two weeks hence it is expected that nearly all the advantages gained in the fighting around Manila will be lost. It is disagreeable fact the war department is facing. Lawton is retreating to Manila on account of inability to sustain himself so far away from the base of sup plies. As fast as he evacuates territory it is occupied by the rebels, for whom the rainy season has fewer terrors than for the American forces. The fighting of the past week has all been to protect the departing column. It is the rear, not the advance guard that has had work to do. The with drawal of McArthur's brigade is looked for for similar reasons.
 Wagon trains with supplies cannot get through the seas of mud into which the rains convert the roads and the rice fields. The country does not afford the means of subsistence, therefore there is nothing to do but to fall back. Even if the clements were not against the American forces it is doubt fui if all the conquered territory could be held. The opportunities for bushwhacking 6re without number, and that kind of war fare is the fayorite with the Filipinos.
 1t may be said of the American forces as It was of the Spanish in Cuba: "They hold what they sit upon"
 PessimistIc View Prevails
 Speculation at the war department to- day was just as gloomy as these facts And thls pess1miStic view prevailed notWitSl- standing General Otis optimistic disoat tches about the disintegration of the rebel army some talk about the adjutant generals office was to the effect that the muster-out or the volunteers can hardly take place Before August, at which time the rainy season will be about over. Tnex will be needed to keep the rebels from entrench- ing about Manila and besieging the city. While the rains are coming down regular troops will be on their way across the Pa- ellie, the Ninth infantry being the next to start from San Francisco. That regi- ment will arrive before the rainy season is over, but 1t will not do to send it to the front until the men become acclinated in a measure, at least.
 While they are becoming seasoned the volunteers will have to hold the rebels back. That will delay their return until the latter part of September or October.
 Several eastern newspapers today make vigorous demand on the president to bring home the civilian members of the Philippines commission who have palav- cred much with the natives after General Otis told them that unconditional surren- der was the only terms he could offer They take the ground that this negotiating caused the rebels to take heart thinking that the Americans were tired and ready to make better terms than they offered
 The Filipinos cannot understand the American method of offering the best terms possible at the first; they expected bargaining About the only advantage gained by the campaign, so far as discernl- ble now, is the impoverishment of the ne- tives. It is not considered possible they can get much ammunition hereafter.
 A. w. B.