Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-03-30
CEN, OT|S'S PROGRESS
It Is Satisfactory to the PIesi-
dent and His Advisers,
OUR TROOPS NEAR MALOLOS,
Opposition to American Advance, How
tYer, is Obstinate.
TEE COUNTRY LAID WASTE.
FiIipinos Burn the villages ns They
Retrent-Thcir Dead Remain In
TIE COUNTRY LAID WASTE
Time To Make Intermcnts.

WASHINGTON. March 29.-The Presi-
dent to-day discussed with his advisers
and callers the situation in the Philip
pines. Assistant Secretary Of War Mel
kleiohn and Adjutant-General Corbin,
who have kept close track Of the pro-
gress Of the American army and the con-
dition Of the troops, were with him for
some time. With them he went over the
situation. and expressed his pleasure at
the good progress General Otis and his
generals had made, though he regretted
the loss of life.
VOLUNTEERS MAY SOON RETURN.
The dispatch of General Ois's re-
ceived early this morning, was not sup
pemented by any later news. The opin-
ion was given at the War Department
that General Otis had ample force under
his command. and when the regulars,
now on their way to Manila, reached their
destination. there would be little need of
retaining the volunteers I'm service there.
MUSTER-OUT SITUATION.
No demand for muster-out will hold good
until the formal ratification Of the peace
treaty occurs, and when this will take
place is not known. The French Ambas-
sador. who is acting FOR Spain. has no
Information on the subject, and does not
know when the treaty will be received
here.
TROOPS ENOUGH IN CUBA.
Secretary Alger has reported a favorable
condition Of affairs in Cuba, and has
expressed the opinion that more troops
than are now I'm the island will not be
needed. After the volunteers are sent
home. there Will be fourteen regiments.
with a total of 1900 men, in Cuba.
making two regiments Of regulars to
each province.
PHILIPPINE PROCLAMATION.
There was some discussion in official
circles regarding the proclamation which
the Philippine Commission may issue.
This action. IT is said. is entirely discre-
tionary with the commission 1t may issue
its proclamation after General Otis
reaches Malolos. or it may delay # until
the time seems more opportune. If. as
reported in some quarters. the Filipinos
abandon Malolos as a capital and go fur
ther north. il is possible that the proc
lamation may be withheld It is intended
that the proclamation shall declare the
purposes of the Government Of the United
States I'm the Island of Luzon. and IL may
seem desirable To establish fully the au-
thority of the United States over the
island before any such step is taken
ADVANCE TOWARD MALOLOS
MANILA. March Noon.-The Amer
lean army advanced at o'clock this
morning. sweeping onward three miles
before 10 o'clock ana driving the rebels
beyond Bocave 10 the east of Bulacan,
and on the railway leading to MalOlos.
Our troops met with but slight resistance.
The Filipinos fired volleys Yesterday
evening for the purpose of drawing the
American fire and disclosing the locality
of our positions. Two men Of the Penn
syNana regiment and one man belonging
10 the Dakota regiment We're wounded.
The Americans remained silent
COUNTRY DESOLATED.
The country between Marlao and Ma
Mia presents picture Of dcsOlauon.
Smoke is curling from hundreds of ash
heaps, and the remains Of trees and
fences. torn by shrapnel are TO be seen
everywhere. The general appearance oil
the country is as if ii had been swept by
a cyclone. The roads are streWn with
furniture and clothing dropped in flight
by the Filipinos.
The only persons remaining behind are
a few aged persons. too nfirm To escape.
They camp beside the ruins of their for
mer homes. and beg passers-by for any
kind of assistance. The majority of them
are living on the generosity of our sol
diers. who give them portions of their
ratiOns.
DEAD FILIPINOS UNBURIED.
Bodies Of dead Iiipnos are stranded in
the shadows OF the river or are resting IN
the jungle, whore the men crawled TO die,
or were left i'm the wake Of their hurried
ly-retreating army. There is no time al
present to bury them. The inhabitants
who fled from Marilao and Meycauaydn
left i'm such a panic that on tables our
soldiers found spread money and valua-
bles. and in the rooms were trunks con-
tanning other property of value. This was
the case i'm most of the houses deserted.
They were not molested by our soldiers,
but the Chinese who slip IN between the
armies are looting when they can. ana
have taken possession of several houses
over which they raised Chinese iiaBs,
some of which were torn down.
STRONG FILIPINO OPPOSITION.
1885 =. M.-At daylight, General Mac
Arthur's division advanced from Marilao
along the railroad 10 Bigaa, five miles as
tant. with the Nebraska. South DAKOTA
and Pennsylvania regiments on the
right. and the Kansas ana Montana
regiments and the Third Artillery on the
left. General Nheaton's brigade Is III re-
serve
The American forces met with strong
opposition in the jungle. First. one man
Of the Nebraska. then one OF the Penn
svlvanla regiment. and Afterwards Two
men Of the Montana regimen. were
killed. Thlrty-hve men were wounded IN
Guiding one officer Of the Kansas regiment.
The rebels burned the villages as ihey
retreated I'm bad order toward Maloios'
HARD FIGHT EXPECTED
Tho enemv also tore mp sections Of the
railroad i'm many places. ana atehpIeu
M hurn The bridge at Bigaa. bat the hfe
vos extinguished. owing 10 the timely ar
,i,.,l of the Americans. The rebels had
rot finished their trenches along the line
~ to-day's march. showing they were pot
nrorared for our advance. Ii Is believed
however that there Will be a hard hsht
before MalOlOs is taken.
THE Minnesota regiment reinforced the
division to-day. marching from the water
works during the night TO Manila ana
going 10 the front 10y train.
REPORT FROM OTIS.
WASHINGTON. March 29.-The follow