Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-12-30
United States WAGES War AGAINST
Insurgents in the Philippines.

been warned not to approach and were
fired upon by sentry of the Nebraska
Regiment of Volunteers. There was every
indication that this attempt to invade the
American lines was deliberately planned
for the purpose Of bringing on engage
Dent- As soon as the firing of the sentry
was heard the entire Filipino line on the
north side of the PaSig river opened on the
American troops. The Americans returned
the fire, and held the Filipinos in check
pending the arrival of achievements. 1t
had also been prearranged that as soon as
the firing began the natives within the city
Were to rise up in revolt, and by fire and
sword externnate the American garrison
within. The active resistance of the Ameri-
can troops frustrated both plans Rein
fercements Were promptly rushed to the
front, where the active engagement was
going on. while other attachments prompt
ly suppressed the revolt within the city
and extingushed the fires which had been
set The fighting continued all during the
night of February /, and by noon of the
next day the entire Filipino line had been
pushed back and the insurgent troops were
in full retreat. The navy also took an
active part in the engagement. The cruiser
Charleston and the gunboat Concord on
their right flank and the monitor Monad-
mock on their left, successfully enfiladed
the enemy's trenches within reach of the
guns of the warships. The insurgents were
completely routed and driven back more
than six miles from the city. Gen. Otis re-
ported the American casualties at about
go. He buried 800 of the insurgent dead
and took 800 prisoners. He estimated their
loss in killed. wounded and prisoners at
about coo.
Attack on Manila Planned.
On February 10 considerable force of
the insurgents had gathered between Ma
Mia and CalOocan. intending to make
attack upon the city. They were attacked
b: combined naval and military force
and driven out with considerable loss. The
American loss was light. On February II
Gen. Miller reported the capture of Iloilo,
capital of the Island of Panay and seat of
the so-called government of the Fisayan
Federation. This was accomplished with
combined army and naval force, after a
bombardment by the latter. There We're no
casualties on the American side. Before
retiring from the town the enemy set 1t on
fire and the entire Chinese and native
quarters of the city Were destroyed.
During the latter part of February and
the first of March the insurgents in the
vicinity of Manila continued to make desul-
tory attacks on the American forces. In
nearly all cases they retired precipitately
a the approach of the American troops,
coming together again in small parties
where the cover afforded opportunity, and
kept Up running fire on the Americans.
The next important fight took place at
Pasig. which was captured March 10 by
Gen. Wheaton, assisted by the gunboats in
the river. Wheaton pushed on, clearing
the country around Pasis and occupying the
cradle Importance at the head of the west
ern branch of Laguna de Bay, the inland
sea Of LuZOn. This movement cut the rebel
forces in two, and insured American con-
troll of the line from Manila bay to the
lake. The next important movement of the
Americans was the advance on Malolos
then the capital of the insurgent govern
ment. The two divisions under Gems. Law
ton and Macarthur won their way by hard
fighting all along, until the insurgent cap
ital was reached, when they found it de-
serted.
Meantime the members of the commission
appointed by the President had reached
Manila and organized. and on April 5 is
sued j proclamation by President McKin-
ley, the purport of which has already been
outlined. To offset this Aguinaldo sent
emissaries through the provinces to an
nounCe the terrible losses Inflicted upon the
Americans.
Filipino ENJOYS Arrive.
On April % two officers of Gen. Luna's
staff entered Gen. MacArthur's line beyond
Calumpit, bearing flag of truce They
asked a conference with Gen. Otis, which
was granted They asked for a cessation
Of hostilities until the Filipino congress
could be assembled to pass upon the ques-
ton of making peace or continuing the war
President Schurman of the commission was
present. Gen. Otis replied that he could in
no manner recognize the Filipino govern
ment and that a written guarantee of am
iItSlS IOI ali ms tents was the utmost
that could be given. Nothing came of the
conference. About a week later the same
ENJOYS came back and were admitted to
another conference with Gen. Otis. This
time they claimed that they came as rep
resentatives of AguinaldO. They again
asked for an armistce for the alleged pur-
pose OF aScertaining the will, not alone of
the inhabitants of Luzon, but of the other
principal islands All through their nego-
tiatiOns. however, they stipulated for a
recognition of the Filipino government, and
this Gen. Otis refused TO give; so they
again returned to the insurgent camp with
out having accomplished anything. Again,
on May 10, commissioners from the insur-
gents, two military men and two civilians,
came to Manila on a similar errand. Gen.
OTIS again refused their request for an
armistice. but permitted them to have an
audience with the Filipino commission. On
May q President Schurman submitted the
following proposition to the ENJOYS:
Nv lille the final decision as to the form
of government is in the hands of Congress,
the President, under his military powers.
pending the action of Congress, stands
ready to offer the following form of govern
ment:
"A governor general, to be appointed by
the President; cabinet, TO be appointed by
the governor general; all the judges to De
appointed by the President; the heads of
departments and judges to be either
Americans or Filipinos or both; and also a
general advisory council, its members to
be chosen by the people, by form of SUI
The President earnestly desires that
bloodshed cease, and that the people of the
Philippines, ut early date, enjoy the
largest measure of self government COM
patlble with peace and CIDER
Approved by the President.
These propositions had previously been
telegraphed to President Mckinley and by
him formally approved. The proposition
vas declined by the Filipino ENJOYS. The
impression seemed to be general among
Americans. both civil and military, in Ma
Mia, that before the insurgents could be
brought to terms and a lasting peace could
, be effected it would be necessary to give
them a sound whipping. Even Professor
Schurman of the commission was quoted as
saying: Il believe force is necessary, be-
cause they thought us weaklings and cow
ards. But l believe also that Cancellation
should accompany force. My endeavor has
been, ever since l came here, to exercise
| conciiation.''
After the failure of the commission,
active military operations We're resumed
| against the insurgents. The capture of
Malolos was followed by the capture of
Santa Cruz, by Gen. lawton, with slight
| loss to the Americans. Aguinaldo was re-
tod h. int