The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-11-20
Successful Night Attack Made
by the Americans.
-Four officers and 200 Men Prisoners.
zamboanga Turned Over to Can't.
Very Of the Castine.

| Washington, Nov. eo.-Three cabl,
dispatches were received at the war de
partment today from General Otis. The,
are all dated today, but were receiyet
at different times. The first, received a
2:l5 a. m, says:
'Leonhauser, with three companies
18th Infantry, by night, marched, sur.
prised and captured, without casualties
lnsurgent force at O'Donnell, sever
miles west of railroad station at Bam.
ban or Capasa. One insurgent killed
Force consisted of four officers and 2OC
men, their rifles and ten thousand
rounds OF ammunition, transporta ton.
four tons subsistence, official records
and considerable clothing secured In
surgents south Manila somewhat rest
less again. driven back from linus; six
men slightly wounded"
The second relates TO affairs in the
southern islands and was received at
$3.50 a. m. 1t follows
TURNED OVER THE CITY.
zone of the contending insurgent fac
tions at Zamboanga secured the city
and turned same over to Captain Very
or United States war vessel in harbor:
other insurgent factions made demon
strat.on against city and Very called on
Jolo for troops. One company sent. The
commanding officer asked permission TO
send three additional leaving two there
two companies will be dispatched from
Jolo. Both Jolo and Zamboanga must be
reinforced as soon as practicable. 1t
viii require several DAYS: il was not
Intended TO take possession of Zambo-
anga until later No provision made
Latter part OF September members in
surgent government in Cottaboa dis
trict southern Mindanao beheaded. New
government formed which calls for
United States troops. Cities Cottaboa
Surigar. Northeastern of importance.
loops will be sent TO these points when
available. Hughes moving in Panay
with two columns insurgents have re-
treated from Southeastern portion of
the island"
DAGUPAN ENTERED.
The following relates to movements
farther north: "MacArthur's advance
entered Dagupan today: ascertained
that Wheaton's troops had been there
yesterday and were withdrawn last
evening. Is believed that many insur-
gent detachments are west of railroad
in province of Zambalese, meditating
concentration and future demonstra-
ing yet received from either Lawton or
Wheaton"
The navy department. also received
naval report of the acquisition of Fam
boanga. which differs in some respects
from the story of that event told In
Gen. Otis cablegram.
The naval account is contained in the
cablegram from Admiral Watson, dat
ed Manila today:
Commander Very of the Castine,
with friendly natives and Moros, COM
bined, captured Zamboanga on the 10th
inst. No casualties. Landing parties
from Castine and Manila hold the town
with Fort Nazaro commanding IL.
pending arrival of troops from Jolo.
There is considerable force of insur-
gents at Mercedes, four miles away"
IMPORTANT POSITION.
The acquisition Of Zamboanga at this
time is of great Importance from a
military point Of view. IL is the prln-
cipal city on Mindanao and dominates
the entire southern half Of that island
which is second in Importance only to
Luz0n. IL has a population of nearly
% 900 people and is well fortified, so
chat a small garrison of troops could
hold IL Indefinitely against native at
tacks In addition il is a naval station
where the Spaniards used TO rendez-
vous their ships in the southern archi-
pelago.
CAMPAIGN IN THE NORTH.
Manila, Nov. 20.-Only fragmentary
reports have reached Manila OF the op-
eratiOns north, which. when the story
is known. will prove 20 have been the
most remarkable campaigning the
Philippine war has known.
Gen. Iawton's division Is spread
thinly over the territory beyond San
Jose. where the telegraph ends. Gen.
Young's two regiments OF cavalry are
continuing their rapid sweep into the
new towns and the infantry Is being
showed forward TO hold the towns all la
"A country whose natural difficulties are
Increased indescribably by tropical
rains. making rivers Of creeks and
swamps OF fields. Wagon transpOrta-
tion ia supposed 20 have been practi-
cally abandoned the American troops
living on captured supplies and the lit-
tie produce the insurgent levies have
THREE ENGAGEMENTS.
Mai Samuel M. Swlgerts squadron
OF the Third cavalry Is reported to be
engaging n greatly superior force at
POzorrubio. northeast Of Dagupan.
These troops have fought three en-
gagements and are, now holding their
positions. waiting for reinforcements.
10 Is believed az headquarters that
this Filipino force Is covering the re-
treat OF the insurgent leaders % the
Binguel moustains. that the Insurgents