Evening star., 1899-03-29

cials here, not only for the relief it would
afford our men, but also for the practical
military value which a rested army has
over one broken with fatigue.
Major Simpson of the military informa-
ton bureau, who is closely following the
movement Of the troops by means of the
military map, regarded General Otis dis
patch as showing hat the plan today was
to reach Bigaa, seven miles from Malolos
and there await until tomorrow for the
final advance on Malolos. The march cut
out for today covers about seven miles.
The two towns mentioned Bocave and BIZ
gaa, are the only ones along the line of
march, and they are small pueblos. There
Is, however, a constant succession of ha-
ciendos and plantations showing that the
road lies through rather fertile country.
Two Rivers to Cross.
There are two natural obstacles lying
along the route; first, the Maralao river,
and further on the Bulacan river. The
bridge over the Maralao river has been
burned, but all reports indicate that the
engineers have succeeded in repairing it,
Bigaa is just beyond the Bulacan river so
that Gen. OTIS report that MacArthur's
advance will continue to Btgaa," was
construed at the War Department to mean
today's advance closed. Being seven miles
from Malo,os, our forces can either cover
that distance tomorrow or else turn south
ward to reduce the large city of Buiacan
on the left. The expectation here is that
they will keep straight on to Malolos, and
that tomorrow night will see them near
the insurgent capital In the meantime,
the indications are that the fighting will
Sat, nd
Sunday, for Gen. Otis dispatch Of this
morning says "Enemy's resistance not so
vigorous today" This is attributed to the
fact that cur forces are now in a more
open country, where the methods of
guerrilla fighting not readily ex-
ecuted.
Keeping the Army Supplied.
The report that the enemy has destroyed
the railway and telegraph lines shows how
many obstacles must be overcome 1t COM
pels our engineers practically to build a
railroad and telegraph line as our troops
advance. Adult. Gen. Corbin cabled Gen.
Otis yesterday to make sure that there be
no running short of supplies of any kind
The generals answer received today was
most reassuring. as it says that supplies of
all kinds are sufficient for immediate needs.
A high official of the War Department
sumraed up the military situation as fol-
lows: THE troops are in excellent spirits.
Full supplies are on hand, and the supply
trains are keeping abreast of the men.
The enemy is losing heart and falling back
and tonight We will be within seven miles
of the enemy's capital"
Doubts the San Fernando Reports
Gen. Corbin does not credit the report
that insurgents have abar doned their cap
ital and have removed back to San Fernan-
do. He bases this on the fact that Gen.
Otis has reported no such move. and he
would doubtless be quick to report any
move of such vital Importance. His reports
thus far are considered very comprehen-
sive and Intelligent, leaving little but am
pIifcation for the war correspondent at
the front.
Mountain Guns on Their Way.
The six additional mountain guns asked
for by Gen. Otis a short time ago are now
on their way to Manila. These guns are
two-pounderS, and can be taken anywhere
that mules or men can go in the noun
tains. Gen. Otis had eight of these guns,
besides four guns of the Astor Battery
The latter are tweIve-pounders and much
heavier to handle than the o-pounders
which have been sent recently.
Health of the Troops.
Some time ago an ex-oficer of the Brit
ish army wrote quite a long communication
to Secretary Hay regarding the health of
United States troops in the Philippines
and making suggestions relative to the
preservation of the health of the command
He referred to the effect of hot climates on
the British troops and indicated that the
troubles which had overtaken the British
army would be likely to come to the Amer
lean army in the Philippines. The letter
was sent to Gen. Otis and on January 81