The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-05-09

partment is satisfied from the dis
patches received from General Otis to-
day that the American commander has
put aside the insurgent temporizing
over peace, and has turned his atten-
ton TO most aggressive tactics. The
wisdom Of this ours was fully ap-
proved by officials here, who have fore ,
seen that the rebels needed further
chaStisement in order 10 bring them TO
a realizing sense Of their position. The
early dispatches from General Otis
clearly defined the general plan Of his
lateSet movement. He IS moving in
Two main columns, Major General Mac
Arthur pushing straight forward over
a nine mile stretch Of country etWee
Calumpit and the latest rebel strong
hold, San Fernando, and Major Cen
erdl LaWtOn directing a strong force
under Colonel Sumner to prevent the
insurgents from rctreating from san
Fernando into the mountains 70 the
north. The later dispatches show
there has been hot " Ork in the eXecu-
ton Of this owe ent, particularly in
Fernando. The defeat Of Luna u st.
Tomas and the scattering Of the in
surgent forces, leaves Macarthur four
miles from San Fernando, with a clear
road before him. He Will take the city
tomorrow according TO General Otis
plans. The taking Of towns is no longer
looked upon by the authorities here as
Of chief n the main cOnSIdeTa-
ton being to intercept the insurgents.
General LaWtOn'S movement north
yard today to MaaSin is designed to
keep a body of American troops to the
north OF the rebels and between them
and their line Of retreat TO the noun
tains. The successful execution of
this move will leave the insurgents
well nigh surrounded on the north,
though there is a stretch of about sev-
en- miles from Maash to the Rio
Grande river, along which the rebels
are retiring. If the rebels succeed in
getting into the mountains war de-
partment officials believe they cannot
continue organized resistance, as the
mountain localities afford much less
opportunities for subsistence thar the
! rice lands along the foot hills and bot
toms. The authorities here are we'll
satisfied with the manne in which oar
forces are placed.
The dispatch ON General Otis are
as follows:
Manila, May 4.
"Adjutant General, Washington:
Situation as follows: Lawton holds
Baliuag, captured End instant, after
rapid movement from Angat, where
supplied with wagon train, pack ami
mails and rations. He scattered the
strongly e~ntrenched enemy to the north
and northWestWard, capturing large
amounts of food supplies, and has his
detachments to north and eastward.
His successful movement attended with
great difficulty because of character of
country, rain and heat. He now COW
ers u railway communication and will
be supplied from MalOlOS. Both Whea-
ton and Hale, Of MacATthur's diVis-
ion, found enemy in force strongly en-
trenched and commanded by Com
mander-in-Chief Luna, about four
miles south of San Fernando. Hale IN
right. dislodged enemy; and Wheaton,.
on left, leading in person, made bril-
laint charge scattering his forces, in
tlicting great punishment. Macarthur
proceeds 70 San Fernando in morning.
Delayed by partial destruction Of
bridge across river. Not believed enc
my will make another determined stand
until he effects retreat to Mount Ara
vat, shor distance from San Isidro.
Otis"
Manila, May 4.
''Adjutant General, Washington:
Colonel Summers, with six battaliOns
Oregon, Dakota, Third infantry and
Utah light artillery, Of Lawton's divis-
ion, proceeded north this morning to
Maasin, cross river, charged enemy in
strong entertainments, driving him
northward and i~nflicting considerable
loss. His casualties two wounded.
MacArthur'S column concentrated,
took up advance on San Fernando at
$50 o'clock this morning. Do not ap-
prehend sharp resistance on the part
of the enemy, who will probably leave
railroad and retire ~northerly direction
to north of LawtOn. Destruction OF
railroad near Calumpit necessitates de-
pendence on wagon transportation.
Enemy to south and east of Manila,
5000, opposed by sufficient force under
O~venshine and Hall, his demonstra-
tons thus far properly met by these
officers with light losses. Many re-
quests received from outlying cities for
perfection against inSurgent troops.
II