The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-02-11

Washington, Feb. 10.-Up to the close
of office hours to-day General Otis sent
no news to the War Department indi-
eating any further conflicts with the
natives He had few casualties to re-
port, these in answer to inqiries from
anxious friends of individual soldiers
and he gave notice to the Department
that he had been obliged to buy large
number of horses to supply the transpor-
tation needed to meet the large increased
need owing to the lengthening of the
American lines.
These horses, so-called, are really the
little native Filipino ponies, which, it is
said at the War Department, have been
found to be the best animals for pack
and draft purposes that can be secured.
Some big American horses have been
taken to the islands by the troops, but
they have sickened and died, and alto
gether have proven TO be wholly unfit
for the climate. On the other hand
General Miles reports that he has mount
ed several troops of cavalry on the lit
tie native ponies with good results.
The same state Of affairs holds good
with respect to the instruction of Gen
eral Otis; again Secretary Alger said
this afternoon that he had ~; sent any
instructions since the beginning of hos
titles and would send none He fully
expects that General Otis win make no
terms with Aguinaido while the latter is
armed, and that il condition precedent
to dealing with him n all is the return
of the insurgents end the surrender of
their arms. Certainly General Otis is
not expected to now take any action that
will amount to recognition of the in
surgents as roe to be treated with
on the basis of az independent nation.
For reasons that they will not diyulge.
officials do not expect the attempt to
be made to land the American troops at
Iloilo Immediately, though that was the
understanding day or two ago, based
on General Otis adyices as to his inten-
tions 1t is possible that il has been
concluded to be good policy to allow the
natives in Panay to learn for themselves
the disastrous fate that has overtaken
Aguinaldos forces in the neighborhood
of Luzon, hoping that they may be in
duced to abate their resistance to Gen
eral Miler's attempted landing. Then,
too, as there are considerable foreign in
terests in this town. which is second
only to Manila in the Philippines, it may
be deemed necessary TO give formal no.
tice of the American purpose to attack
the place in order o enable proper pre-
cautions to be taken. Even if the at
tack took place according to the ORR
cinal plan. news O. +he result would not
reach here for two days, as IloiIo is
distant from Manila about $50 miles, and
the waters between are not easy of navi-
CATION.
A HAND TO HAND FIGHT.
Manila, Feb. 1O.-7:40 p. M.-The
American forces at $40 this afternoon,
made a combined attack upon Caloocan
and reduced it lin short order.
At a signal from the tower of the De
La LONE church, the United States
double turreted monitor Monadnock
opened fire from the bay with the big
guns of her fore turret ON the earth
works, with great effect.
Soon afterward the Utah battery bonn
barded the place from the land side.
The rebels reserved their fire until
the bombardment ceased, when they
fired yolleys of musketry as the Montana
regiment advanced on the jungle.
The Kansas regiment, ON the ex-
treme left, with the Third artillery de-
ploying to the right, charged across the
open and carried the earthworks,
cheering under heavy fire. Supported
by the artillery at the church, the troops
further advanced, driving the enemy,
fighting every foot right into the town
line, and pentrated to the Presidencia,
and lowered the Filipino flag at $50
p. m.
The enemy's sharpshooters, in the
jungle. on the right, fired at long range
on the Pennsylvania regiment, but the
rebels were soon silenced by shrapnel
shells and the Pennsylvania remained
in the trenches.
As the Americans advanced they
burned the native huts.
The rebels were moved down like
grass, but the American loss was slight.
Eli Tt'Ns'S' SCOUTS SURPRISED.
Manila, Feb. 10.-3:40 Z. MIN anti
cipation of native uprising in this city.
unusual precaution We're taken here last
night by the American military au.hori-
ties. Fortunately, the steps taiScn
proved unnecessary. The Filipinos are
evidently convinced that an uprising
would prove suicidal to them.
The Visayan commissioners arrested
on board the Uranus sailed for Iloflo
yesterday with the Tennessee regiment