The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-06-13

Washington, June 8.-The situation
in the Philippines is described by Gen
eral Otis in the following cablegram:
Manila, June 8, 1899.
"Adjutant General, Washington:
Result of movements in Morong
province was 20 drive insurgents into
mountai. 5, capturing Antipole a d
other towns in that section with the
point of land projecting into the bay.
They retreated and scattered before
our advance, leaving twenty-five dead
on the field; our loss o u killed and
a few wounded, mostly slight. City of
Morong, on only land route around
bay, garrisoned; all other troops with
drawn. Inhabitants Of provinces pro-
fess friendship, ask protection; large
numbers wish to enter Manila; refuse,
as city population is increasing too
rapidly. Leading natives throughout
is nd, including active insurgent lead
ers, seek permission to send families
to Manila; considered only place of
personal security.
OTIS"
The conclusions drawn by the war
department officials concerning the
condition in the Philippines given in
the dispatches of General Otis are that
the insurgents are little more than
~marauding bands, WI ich will continu-
ally decrease when the men find that
there is life and liberty under Ameri-
can government. These bands are re-
garded as something like the bands of
Indians twenty-five and thirty years
ago, and the people h are coming
into the American lines asking protec-
ton are considered like those who
sought protection in the forts during
the early stages of American d velop-
ment in the west. Nothing is yet said
as to the intention of General Otis to
continue active hostilities, but this is
a matter that will be left wholly in his
discretion and he will no doubt fight
or rest as the circumstance determine.
RETURN OF VOLUNTEERS.
General OTIS cables as follows regard
ing the return Of volunteers:
Manila, June 8, 1899.
"Adjutant General, Washington:
"Oregonians request to defer time of
departure until 18th; will leave for
Portland in transports Ohio and New
port. Sixth infantry upon arrival will
relieve Californians at Negroes. Han
cock sails in few days with Nebraska
and other troops.
(Signed) Otis"
Manila, June S.-Cruiser Boston,
Captain w. H. Whiting, has sailed for
San Eranoicpn nv wau of Na0aC9kj
Japan, with long service officers and
men from the various warships.
The battleship Oregon will soon be
stationed off Dagupan, in the gulf of
Lingayen, on blockade duty.
The United States gunboat Albany,
one of the vessels purchased from the
Spaniards and commanded by Ensign
w. H. Stanley, has captured three sail
ing vessels and one steamer off the is
land of Negros. Nine of these Loats
(of the Albany class) are now in COM
mission and are doing good service in
the shallow waters of the southern is
lands.
GOOD NEWS FROM THE YORK
TOWN PRISONERS.
Favorable reports are still being re-
ceived from the party of fifteen Ameri-
a n bel nging to the gunboat York
town, headed by Lieutenant J.. G. Gill
more of that vessel, captured on April
18th by the Philippines not far from
Baler. The prisoners are all we'll and
are receiving fair treatment.
AGUINALDO ASSUMES DTCTA-
TORSHIP.
London, June Especial dispatches
from Manila today say it is reported
that Aguinaldo has dissolved the Phil.
ippino congress and has proclaimed
himself dictator.
Washington, June S.-The officials
here are in doubt as to whether Agui-
naldo, in declaring his die Itorship, is
animated by a desire to rid himself OF
his refractory generals, Pillar and Lu
ma, or whether he aims 10 consolidate
in his own hands the power to make
terms of peace.
1t is known, from the reports OF
President Schurman, of the American
Philippine commission, that these two
generals own only faint allegiance to
Aguinaldo and their attitude towards
the peace negotiations has made them
Intellectual, the civilian members on
the Philippine side of the joint com,
mission being completely overawed anC
dominated by the military element con
trolled by these generals. 1t is believ'
ed here that if A~guinaldo can bend these
men to his will and assume supreme
control, he will at once make for peace
being able to ecure better terms fol
himse f thar he would otherwise.
BLOCKADE RUNNERS CAPTURED
The three sailing vessels and one
steamer reported to have been captur.
ed by the United States gunboat AL
Dany Off the island of Negroes, Philip.
pine islands, are supposed by the nava
officers here to- be blockade runners
carrying supplies of food and ammuni
ton to the islanders who are threaten.
ing to rise in the interior. These is
landers have been powerfully influenced
by Tagalo emissaries to revolt and ir
some cases have done so, attacking thu
people in seaside towns who stood fo1
the United States. The army already