The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1899-04-06
The Philippine War.

Major General Mac A rthur advanced to
attack Malolos, the seat of the insurgent
government, at Friday morning. He
met with strong opposition, the rebels
resisting desperately, losing heavily and
retired after firing city. Hall had quite
severe engagement beyond Mariquina.
Casualties 20.
Our regular troops in the Philippines
are armed with the new magazine rifle
80 calbre, and have used smokeless
powder during the entire campaign.
The volunteers are equipped with the
old magazine rifles OF 45 calibre, and
have been using the old fashioned black
powder until recently, when supplies of
smokeess powder reached them. For
some time, therefore, nothing but
smokeess powder has been used in the
Philippines campaign.
Gen. Otis said saturday: Quiet pre-.
walls. Have directed troops at Malolos
aud on railroad on accommodating duty.
Find insurgents only in small proper
tions of the surrounding country who
retire on the approach of our troops.
few of eur troops are moving to a new
position. Preparing for a continued
active campaign. Army in excellent
spirits.
The despatch indicates that the
American forces made no forward move
ment either Friday or saturday.
Gen. OTIS despatch Monday, states:
present indications denote insurrec-
ton in perilous condition; it's army de-
feated, discouraged and scattered. In
surgents returning to their homes in
cities and villages between here and
points north of Malolos. which our Ie-
connoitering parties have reached and
desire protection of Americans. News
from Wis 'yan island more encouraging
every day"
The Philippine commission has issued
a proclamation to the people 1t recites
the cession 10y the peace treaty of the
Philippine islands to the United states !;
refers to the appointment of the com
mission; assures the people of the cor
dial good will and fraternal feeling of
the President of the United States and
the American people, and asserts the
object which the United States govern
ment, apart from the fulfillment of the
solemn obligation it has assumed to-
wards the family of nations by the ac
ceptance of the sovereignty over the
islands, to be the friendliest spirit and a
purpose to establish stable govern
ment. 1t assures them that the SUI
premacy of the United States will be
enforced throughout the archipelago
that the people will be granted the most
ample liberty of self government practi-
cable, that the civil and religious rights
of the Philippine people shall be as
sured and all persons shall have equal
standing in the eyes of the law, collec-
ton and application of taxes shall be
placed on sound and economical basis
and for the maintenance of the Philip
pine government and general improve
ments, construction of roads and public
works, establishment of elementary
schools and reforms in all departments
of government are promised.
The proclamation ends with the fol-
lowing:
"Such is the spirit in which the
United States comes to the people of the
islands, and the President has instructed
the commission to make this publicly
Known. In obeying his behest, the
commissioners desire to join the Presi-
dent in expressing their good will to-
ward the Philippine people and to ex-
tend to the leading representative men
an invitation to meet them for the pur-
pose of personal acquaintance and the
exchange of views and opinions" and is
signed by Jacob Gould Schurman.
George Dewey, Elwell S. Otis, Charles
DENLY and Dean G. Worster, u. S. com.
missioners.