The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-05-12

They are Forced To Retreat-Luna
Concentrating His Army-Our Gun.
boats Clear the River Secuon-wel>
coined by Nacabebes Philippine
Congress sIeets-Commission Prepar.
ing Constitution for the Islands.
Manila, May 10.-The army ''tinclad''
g~unboats Laguna de Bay and Cavedon-
ga, under command of Captain Grant,
steamed - - Rio Crane 10 Calun-
pit today clearing the entire country of
rebels from the bay upward. When the
vessels reached Macabebe about 1000
Of the inhabitants of the place assem-
bled on the banks of the river, cheer
ing the expedition Justify. Captain
Grant was given an ovation when he
went ashore. Many of the Macabebes
expressed themselves as being anxious
TO enter the American service for the
campaign against the Tagalos.
The United States transports Puebla
and Pennsylvania sailed for home to-
day by way of Nagasaki. The trans
ports Charles Nelson and Cleveland
will leave on Thursday and Friday.
SAN FERNANDO ATTACKED.
The Philippine General Mascardo's
army, inspired by wine taken from the
storehouses OF Bacolor and by the
generals oratory, on Monday evening
attacked San Fernando. There was
tremendous yelling and a great expendi-
ture Of cartridges by the rebels, but
very little result. General Mascardo
holds the outskirts of Bacolor west OF
the railroad. In front of his position
are the Kansas and Montana regiments
which occupy trenches that the Phil
ippinos built in anticipation Of an at
tack from the direction Of the sea.
During the afternoon of Monday
General Mascardo, with a large retinue
Of officers, rode along the lines, fire.
quently stopping TO harangue his war
riors. At dusk a detachment of rebels
rushed towards the outposts of the
Montana regiment, %but were met by a
hot fire from the Montana regiments
line. The insurgents, from trenches
nearly three miles long, responded. AT
ter an hours firing, during which one
private soldier of the Montana regiment
was wounded, the insurgents subsidized,
| although they kept up a scattering fire
throughout the night.
Prisoners who were brought into the
American lines said that General Mas
cardo distributed barrels of wine among
his soldiers telling them that he expect
ed them to capture the city Of San
Fernando. The trenches undoubtedly
saved the Americans from heavy loss
es, bullets falling thick about them
during the engagement.
General Luna is massing his army
east of the railway, bringing up troops
by train loads in sight of the American
lines. The country between San Fer
nando and Calumpit is filling up with
natives, who profess great friendship
i toward the Americans, but who are
suspected by many of sympathy with
the insurrection
A Philippine connected with the
American hospital corps was killed, it
is supposed, by Amigos.
PHILIPPINE CONGRESS MEETS.
Reports received from the insurgent
lines which, however, have not been
confirmed, say that a meeting Of the
| Philippine congress has been held al
San Isidro. There was no quorum
present, but in spite of this fact some
business was transacted. The reports
add that, although those who attended
were mostly partisans of Aguinaldo a
strong desire for peace was expressed.
Major General Macarthur will probably
remain at San Fernando until fresh
troops can be forwarded to him from
this city to replace some Of the volun-
teers, who have become exhausted from
the long canpign.
Philippine ri1emen to a number OF
5000 are entrenched on three sides of
Bacolor. The Americans however, are
fully able to hold the city, if Mondays
attack was a specimen of the enemy's
fighting ability.
PREPARING THE PROVINCIAL
CONSTITUTION.
The United States Philippine com
mission has been considering a pro-
vicial constitution for the island OF
. Negros, which was framed by Colonel
Smith and leading natives. II is large
Iy modelled after the constitution OF
! California. While it has many good
! points, the commission will probably
recommend a uniform government for
all the provinces. This constitution, II
is intended, viii give the natives self
government cooperating with the mill
tary regime. Work upon the ~constitu-
: ton has been apportioned to tie sew
eral members Of the Philippine corn
mission.
VOLUNTEERS RETURN HOME
Washington May 10.-The following
dispatch has been received al the wal
department:
Manila, May 10, 1899.
"Adjutant General, Washington.
Transport Pennsylvania left for Sar
Francisco today. Nelson leaves 18th;
Cleveland 18th; St. Paul 18th instant
Otis.
1t Is lot known a. the wal depart.
ment what troops are being brough'
home on these transports and owing L
the general interest on this point in al
parts of the country, the adjutant gen