Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1899-08-17
ANGELES IS BURNED,
The Filipinos Burn the Town 90
Approach Of the Americans.

| - w se-0e e~@eeDs
Gen. Otis Is TO Be RETAINED
President Mckinley Purposes 10 Keep Hin
In Supreme Command Ia the Philippines
and Secretary Root 10 Informs
Gen. Miles,
Manila, Aug. l2.-Gen. MacArthur's
troops remained Thursday night at
Calulet. The Filipinos had evidently
fed far beyond rifle range, for the
American outposts were not disturbed
and not shot was fred during the
night. At daybreak yesterday morn.
ing d accommodating party, consisting
Of q battalion OF the Seventeenth infan.
try with one field piece, started up the
railroad track toward Angeles four
miles north. The party approached
within 1900 yards Of the town and
opened fire with the field gun. The
Americans were received with badly
directed rife fire, which the battalion
Of the Seventeenth returned with few
volleys.
The strength Of the insurgents at An
geles not being known, the situation
was reported to Gen. Macarthur, who
did not desire to send reinforcements,
and directed the reconnoitering party
to return the fire until the Filipinos
abandoned the town. Soon after the
receipt Of these orders it became evil
dent that the rebels had set fire to the
town and fed, leaving the place to be
occupied by the Americans
A battalion OF the Twelfth infantry
was sent on accommodating expedi-
ton toward the west, but up to noon
no firing had been heard in their direc-
ton, and no word had been received
from them at MacArthur's headquar-
ters and 1t is believed that they en-
countered nothing. Everything indi-
Gates that all the Filipinos have scat
tered for miles in every direction
around Calulet.
The insurgents lost heavily in the
fighting around Calplet. 1t Is believed
that 100 were killed and 800 or 400
wounded. The Iowa regiment killed
80 in one place, and one company OF
the Seventeenth suddenly encountered
aparty Of Filipinos In trench and
killed IL. The American loss was five
killed and 81 wounded, including three
officers.
The attack was complete surprise
to the insurgents, who had no idea
that movement was intended until
the armored car opened q deadly fire
with two Gatlings, revolving cannon
and a six-pounder. The heavy artil-
lery opened on both tanks a moment
later. A majority Of the Filipinos were
asleep when the attack was made.
Men with large bells were heard run
ming among the shacks arousing the
soldiers.
The Americans maintained almost
perfect line four miles through cane
break and where they could see moth
ing ahead. The mud In places was
knee deep in the rice fields and jungles
and through the bitches flowed small
rivers several feet Deep
The Filipinos tried to ambush the
Americans several times, the country
in the neighborhood being well adapt
ed to these tactics, but the troops
stopped for nothing forcing their way
through or over obstacles and firing
whenever they could locate the fleeing
enemy. The officers highly commend
the ecruits Of the various regiments.
There is reason to believe the reports
recently received that the insurgents
are short of ammunition, as we'll in
formed natives at Calulet say the in
surgents had only 40 rounds Of ammu-
milton each, and that five rounds extra
We're issued just before the fight. Since
the American occupation Of San Fer
nando, the Filipinos have torn up three
miles Of railroad between there and
Calulet, and 1t is impossible to get the
armored car more than two miles be-
yond San Fernando.
GEN. OTIS TO BE RETAINED.
Washington, Aug. ls-Maj. Gen.
Otis will remain In supreme command
Of the Philippine islands. Should he
request to be relieved, Maj Gen. Law
ton will be assigned to duty as his sue
cessor. This is the decision reached
by the president and Secretary Root
during the conferences at Lake Cham
plain. Secretary Root made no secret |
Of the purpose Of the president to
retain Gen. Otis In control at Manila
and so informed Gen. Miles at a long
conference 1t is evident that, not
withstanding the fact that Gen. Mer-
rift expressed desire to return to
Manila, he will not have the oppor-
tunity, and even Lawton's promotion
is conditional upon the request Of Otis
to be detached from command.
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