The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-05-08
REBEL TROOPS
ARE SANGUINE
Think They Can Easily Whip the
Americans.
MACARTHUR AND LAWT0N
Are Engaged In ReCOnnOiterinS The
Enemy'S Position.
THE REBELS ARE VERY ACTIVE
IN the Vicinity of La Guna de Bay, But
the Lines of Ovenshine and L ing
Are Strong and No DAN
ger Threatens.

Manila, May ITO clear the Filipinos out
OF Bacolor, five miles southwest of San
Fernando will be the next task of the
Americans. The rebel general, Mascardo,
has a force of 1900 men there well armed
and possessed of plenty of ammunition.
His troops have not met American soldiers
and they think, according TO reports, that
they can whip the whole lot"
Bacolor is we'll intrenched and thousands
Of natives are working like beavers ulg
gng trenches.
Neither Major-General Macarthur or
Major-General LaWton moved today, al
though each reconnoitered the country in
his own vicinity for some miles from head
quarters, developing the presence of small
forces OF the enemy.
In the vicinity of La Guua de Fay The
rebels are extremely active, but the lines of
General Ovenshine and General Lang lave
beer materially strengthened and there is
no danger in that direction.
The steamers La Guna de Bay and Ca
vonga have gone to Aqua, five miles 80 Il
west of Bacolor, presumbaply to establish
a base of supplies for the troops engaged
in the northern campaign.
1t is reported that Mabini, president OF
ths cabinet and minister of foreign affairs
in the so-called Filipino government who is
radical, is to be succeeded by Patreno,
the framer of the Spanish treaty of lSs6.
This change is regarde as signitir ant at the
present juncture.
Capture of San Fernando Was Easy
The entrance of the Americans in San
Fernando was virtually unopposed. The
Flipinos who expected the invaders to ap-
proach from the sea had that side of lhe
town strongly guarded, but there was only
cne line of trenches beyond San Tomas.
Two battalions of the Fifty-frst Iowa cegi-
ment which swan the river north of the
city were smartly Qeppered while in tile
water, but the rebels disappeared as-snon
as the Americans reached the shore. The
few Spaniards and Filipinos who were left
in the city welcomed the Americans and
opened their houses to them. If the in
shabitants of the San Fernando region are
Ito be believed, there Is little sympathy with
the -insurrection in that quarter. Before
seyacuating the city the rebels burned the
church and the public buildings and the
Chinese quarter. The drove rich F'ilipinos
and their families out of the city before
stnGm as We'll as nunureuS OF OnlueSe TO
prevent them helping the Americans. They
cut the throats of some.
In the swamps near Sam Tomas where
General Wheatons troops did their hardest
fghting-the men sinking to their waists
In mud-are many bodies of F>ilipinos,
smelling horribly.
Army Enjoying Life
The army is really enjoying life at San
Fernando, which is the most picturesque
and wealthy town the Americans have en-
tered since the occupation of Manila. 1t is
built of stone, the river is close at hand,
and high hills almost surround 1t. Many
sugar factories indicate thriving industry
In that respect, and there are numerous
fine residences. General MacArthur's per-
manent headquarters are established in the
best house In town, which is richly deco
rated with frescoes and carved woods.
The troops are encamped around in the
suburbs and are beginning to think they
may be quartered there during the wet
season.
The American troops are much ex-
hausted by the campaign except the Iowa
troops, which are comparatively fresh.
Senator Albert Beveridge, of Indiana, Is
here studying the Filipino question.
Brigadier- General Charles King has
sailed for the United States on board the
transport Pueblo.