New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-05-25
INSURGENTS RESPONSIBLE
GENERAL MACARTHUR TELLS HOW IHE
OUTBREAK AT MANILA BEGAN.

men,
General MacArthur's command was the Second
Division Of the Eighth Army Corps, which III
cluded the 10Th Kansas Hunson's command ana
the Utah battery General Macarthur mentions
also. a little naval contingent in the shape OF a
Colt automatic gun loaned by the Helena ana
manned by Lieutenant Cleland Davis. who voiuh-
teered with three marines. Making n briei s'a'e-
Inent Of the position of the United States troops III
Manila and suburbs just preceding the outbreak OF
February T. General Macarthur comes TO tne 'io'-
dents leading up to the rupture He says
The pertinacity Of the insurgents in passing
armed parties over the line OF delntatlons M
American territory induced a correspondents
which in the light OF the subsequent events, 10
interesting as indicating with consideraple pre-,
cision a premeditated purpose on the paIt VI
somebody In the insurgent army 10 lorce
collision
INsURGENT PLEDGE BROKEN
General Macarthur addressed note TO Colonei
San Miguel OF the insurgent army. Inc no'e'
which has now become important. and the an
swer as follows.
Sir: The line between your command ana my my
command has been long established ana Is W.. mun
understood by yourself and mysei. L. 10 Lii tnis
necessary under present conditlohs 'hn. N .
line should not be passed by armed men Vi
either command. An armed party rom you,
command now occupies the village IN iron. VI
BlOCkhOuSp e.,
than a hundred yards on my side OF the III. III,
and is very active IN exhibiting hosthe ihteh-
tons This party must be Withdrawn 10 youi
side of the line at once .-
men with arms in their hands they must ", be
regarded subject to such acton as "iaS
daeno nocessary Very respectfully.
ARTHUR MACARTHUR,
Major-General u. S. ". COMMANDING
San Juan del Monte. February 2, 1899
Mefor-G General Macarthur.
NV Very Dear Sir: In reply to yours oateo
this day. in which you inform me that my SOL
diers have been passing the line or demarcd-
ton fixed by agreement. desire TO say that
this is foreign to my wishes. and shall give
Immediate orders in the premises that tney re-
Colonel and First Chief
Next came the disregard OF the promise which
preciptated the outbreak, and this Is described py
General Macarthur in the following language
At about $50 p m. on February an insur-
gent patrol, consisting OF four armed so!aiers s
entered our territory at Blockhouse NO anu
advanced to the little village OF Santo, Which
was occupied from the pipe line outpost or the
Nebraska regiment. The American sentinel
challenged twice. and then, as the nsurgent
natrol continued TO advance he fired. where
upon the patrol retired TO Blockhouse NO. &.
whence fire Immediately opened py the
entire insurgent outpost at that point:
At D. IN. Colonel Stotzenburg, lst Nebraska
Infantry u s. w. reported considerable firing
at his outposts which extended gradually along
the entire front of the division AL io;l" D. m.
II was evident that hostilities had been COM
menced in earnest by the insurgents, ana ac-
cordngly an order issued from these headquar-
ters to put everything on the firing line, accord
ing TO a programme which had been prear-
ranged for such an emergency.
The report shows that the fighting proceeded
fercely all night. and the next day the insurgents
were driven back from their whole line. The Ten
nessee regiment and the South Dakota regiments
are particularly mentioned rendering good ser
vice. General Macarthur says:
The combat was characterized by fine dis
play OF initiative on the part OF the troops en-
gagged, all Of whom were essential TO the hnal
success achieved.
The affair OF February Is described an out
post affair originating between opposing sentinels
and ending with 4 hand-to-hand conflict between
three and a half companies under Colonel Funston
ard Major Metcalf. and hundred insurgents.
The latter stood firmly, and clubbed muskets and
bayonets were freely used, the result being COM
plete rout OF the enemy.
The plan OF the attack q Caoocan is described.
The programme is said to have been carried out
with almost exact precision the tactical execution
being excellent. and the resistance such as 10 re-
uure the best efforts OF all concerned. Company
NJ OF the Montana regiment is especially mem
toned for It's performance under Major Bell OF
some extra hazardous duty in making fent or
the Nebraska regiment General Macarthur says:
In consequence OF It's advanced position at the
pumping station, the Nebraska regiment has
been engaged in series of minor operations
which have resulted In a large amount OF aruu-
Gus and dangerous work. all Of which has been
cordially and we'll performed by this excellent
regiment.
ATTEMPTED RISING IN MANILA.
The attempt of the natives within Manila as
ofda m ri l.
airy % is described as a formidable movement
General Macarthur says the situation was maze
embarrassing by the fact that a number OF insur-
gent soldiers had succeeded In getting oack Oh the
American lines, and he shows now the MONTANA
regiment accompanied by Major Mallory, in
snectorgeneraI Of the division materially aided In
suppresslng the demonstration High commenda-
,ion "a bestowed on the little Army gunboat La
euna de Bay commanded by Captain Randolph
and ON the Volunteer Signal Corps detachment
under Captain Edgar Russell. 1t is shown how the
Signal Corps made 1t possible to develop fully the
cooperation Of the Navy by Its system
The auartermaster and subsistence departments
are nraised as completely successful in every de-
tall The report says:
The supply Of American soldiers engaged In
active field operations on these distant shores
with choice fresh beef from Australia, the very
best quality OF fresh vegetables from the united
States and condensed water, together Win al
otner parts OF the ration in abundant quantity
and good quality, is certainly just cause Tor
warm congratulation to all concerned.
After commencing the medical department CEN
eral Macarthur speaks OF the results OF the WORK
Of the American troops as follows:
The punishment inflicted by the division may
he estimated from the fact that official report
bas been made of the actual burial Of 314 in
sureents killed In action during the month
The enemy's wounded were, as a general rule.
successfully removed 50 that II is Impossible 10
81 eak with any precision In that respect, put ],
"a assumed that three wounded to one killed
would be a reasonable estimate.
The report closes with tributes to the enlisted
men first then TO general officers. and last TO the
stan.