Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1899-05-11
SAN FERNANDO FIRED
Filipinos Start Confagration and
Then Evacuate the City.
HARD FIGHTING BY LAWTOy'S MEN.
4 BOlO Chief and 100 Men Captured at
Balinag = President Mckinley Anx-
ious for Peace Gen. Otis List
Of Casualties.

Manila, May 6.-Maj Gen. Mac
Arthur's division advanced to San
Fernando Friday and found that the
place had been evacuated by the rebels
who left only a small detachment to
cover their retreat by train. Gen.
Macarthur occupied the burning town
without loss, except in the hard fight
ing Of Thursday. The rebels south OF
Manila attempted to rush through
Brig. Gen. Ovenshine's line last night.
The attempt failed, but the rebels
maintained a fusilade ofmusketry upon
the Fourth infantry for several hours.
The demonstration was Intellectual,
beyond soaring the inhabitants Of
Malate. The outposts Of the Idaho and
California regiments beyond San Pedro
Macati were also attacked during the
night.
Detailed reports Of the work Of Maj.
Gen. Lawton's expedition show that
harder fighting took place during the
early part Of this week than earlier ac-
counts Indicated In the attack upon
San Rafael the American forces were
met with heavy fire from large num-
Der of rebels who were concealed in
the Jungle on all sides II was only
the adoption Of the tactics followed in
Indian fighting in the United States,
every man for himself. that saved the
division from great loss.
Gen. Lawton as usual was at the
head OF the line with his staff. Scott's
battery demolished stone fronted
trench at short range. The insnr-
gent leaders, Gregorio and Pic del
Pillar, who had 500 men in Balinag, re-
treated when Gen. Lawton approached
the town. The chief Of scouts Young,
with ten men, entered Balinag ahead
Of the army and rang the church bell
to announce that they had possession
Of the city. A Bolo chief and 100 men
were captured here. Lawton has re-
leased many Of his prisoners.
THE PRESIDENT ANXIOUS FOR PEACE.
Washington, May 6.-The state de-
partment yesterday received dispatch
from President Schurman, Of the Phil4
ippine commission, giving the SUBJ
stance OF the conferences with the rep
resentatives Of Aguinaldo and asking
for further instructions While the
text Of the dispatch is not to he made
public, Secretary Hay stated that it
showed very satisfactory condition Of
affairs in the Philippines and pointed
to settlement Of the difficulties
there. The reply Of the president
10 Prof. Schurman's cablegram,
1t is understood, stated that
he was very anxious to have
the peace negotiations concluded at
the earliest possible moment, and to
this end he desired that no unneces-
sary or humiliating conditions should
be imposed upon the insurgents. 1t is
believed in administration circles that
as soon as Aguinaldo is convinced of
the sincerity of the American govern
ment he will agree to surrender. lie
will be required, however, to lay down
his arms. This will be the principal
condition, and until an agreement on
this point is reached the negotiations
will not make any progress toward a
conclusion
OTIS LIST OF CASUALTIES.
Washington, May 6-The war de-
partment has received the following
cablegram from Gen. Otis.
Manila, May S.-Adjutant General, Washing.
Ion; Following casualties at San Tomas yester-
day One officer, Lieut.. McTaggert, Twentieth
Kansas and four enlisted men killed; three
officers, % enlisted men wounded. Among
wounded Gen. Funston, hand, slight Lawton
reports capture over 10000 bushels rice, 265 |
tons sugar ut Balinag. Values Of subsistence
captured at Malolos u, 100000. Large captures
rice and corn belonging to enemy at other
points. Insurgents destroyed by fire yesterday
Town Of San Tomas and last evening fired city
n Sun Fernando
--------------~---