The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-02-10

Washington, February 8.-There was
an almost complete release today OF
the tension under which the rapid oc-
currence Of events in the Philippines
has held the officials of the admins
tration since the first startling news
from Manila Saturday night. This was
brought about through the receipt of
a bulletin from General Otis, summing
I'D the latest results of the fighting
he has had with the natives. The state
ment that Aguinaldo's influence has
been destroyed and that the Philippine
leader was seeking for a cessation OF
hostilities and for conference was
most acceptable and was interpreted
as an admission that he had realized
his terrible mistake. 1t is entirely i'm
probable that he will be able to restore
anything like the status quo, or to OBJ
tain anything like the same terms as
were possible last week. No one here
now knows just what General Otis IN
tends to impose in the way OF terms.
Secretary Alger this afternoon re-
peated his statement Of yesterday, that
he had given the general no instruc-
tionS since the battle and saw no rea-
son for giving any. He realized, he
said, that General Otis, being on the
ground and having proved his fitness,
was in better position to deal with the
situation than anyone in Washington.
Should the general ask permission
therefore to do anything, he would be
granted it Immediately. Should be ask
for instructions on any point" said
the secretary, "he will Oe told to ex-
ercise his own discretion"
- &C
that no one here can tell at present
how General Otis will act toward
Aguinaldo's applications; but the opln-
ion is expressed by men here who
know of General Otis experience with
the Indians, that he will make the
laying down of arms the condition IN
dealing with the insurgents, II at all.
That condition being met, of course,
it will mean a speedy termination of
the rebellion.
GENERAL OTIS GIVES THE STU
ALTON.
The war department today received
the following dispatch:
Manila, February 8.
situation rapidly improving. Re-
connoissance yesterday TO south sew
eral miles to Lagunade bay, to south
east eight miles, driving struggling in
surgent troops in various directions,
encountering no decided opposition;
army disintegrated. and natives return
ing to villages, displaying white nags.
Near Caloocan, six miles north, enemy
made a stand behind entrenchmentS,
charged by Kansas troops led by Col
onel Funston. Close encounter, result
ing in rout of enemy with heavy loss
Loss to Kansas, Lieutenant Afford
killed, six men wounded.
"On the 4th Aguinaldo issued flying
proclamation, charging Americans with
initiative and declared war; SUNDAY
issued another calling all to resist for
eign invasion: his influence Throughout
this section destroyed; now applles Iol
a cessation of hostilitieS and confer
ence: have declined to answer. lnsur'
gents expectation of rising In city OF
night of 4th unrealiZed. Provost mar
shall generals with admiraps disposi
ton of troops defeated every attempt
City quiet: business resumed, native:
respectful and cheerful. Fighting quail
tiles of American troops a revelation tt
all inhabitants"
ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF CON-
GRATULATIONS.
The following cablegram was receiv
ed at the navy department today iron
Admiral Dewey in acknowledgment o
Secretary Longs congratulatory mes
sage of yesterday:
Manila, February 8.
1.-THE commander-in-ch the Off
GERS and the men thank the presiden
and the secretary of the navy for thel
CONGRATULATIONS.
DEWEY"
Secretary Alger today received tn
following cablegram from General Oti:
in reply to his message Of congratula
ton yesterday:
Manila, February s.
..Sincere thanks for congratulation:
All the credit is due to the hearty re
sponse of our troops to the orders c
+bo;,. officars OTIS"
THE SKIRMISH ON WEDNESDAY
Manila. February 8.-Last evening q
the Philippines at Caloocan were eV
IDENTIFY massing for night attack upo
the American left wing, Companies
c and I. of the Twentieth Kansas II
fantry were ordered to attack an
drive the sharpshooters from Dampe
Jungle in front of the firing line, whel
tbev had caused considerable annoy
ance all the afternoon. The pattanC
charged brilliantly, driving the enen
like chaff and penetrating to the Vel
heart of Caloocan. First Lieutenant !
c.. Afford, as cabled last night, W.
killed while leading his company. r
was shot in the forehead. Sergeant Js
Sheldon, Company l, was serious
wounded. Privates Daniel Hewl
(Healitt?) Ernest Fritz, John Gillila
and two others, members of Compar
B. were slightly wounded. Thirty des
Philippines were counted in the brus
and there were many mere wounded.
The gunboats Concord and Call:
kept up an incessant hre from the pa
the Concord dropping many shells
the town with telling effect. In ord
to avoid accidents from this sourc