The San Francisco call., 1899-03-26
WILL BREAK
THE POWER OF
INSURGENTS
Rapid Work Of the Flying
Column Under General
Macarthur.
Special Dispatch to The Call.

WASHINGTON, March 25.-This was
a day of anxiety and excitement at the
War Department that carried a re-
minder of the busiest days of the war
with Spain Every officer was intently
looking for every scrap of information
as to the progress being made by Gen
eral Otis gallant expeditionary forces
1t was noted that the movement was
being executed like clockwork. It was
necessarily one Of great rapidity, yet
the officials noted with delight the per-
lection of the arrangements as revealed
in the press dispatches, the rapid work
of the signal men, we'll up with the
troops in the advance running their
wires. the ambulance corps close up to
the fighting lines and the pressing for
ward Of supplies.
Although the end was not known
when the department closed, the great
est confidence was shown by the Off
cials in the complete success of the
American arms and there was nothing
but praise heard for rhe strategy ex-
hibited by Otis and his generals. Mac
Arthur especially came in for commen-
dation, being the active leader of the
advancing column thrown first against
the insurgents line. The opinion ex-
pressed at the department was that the
American troops would bivouac on the
field, or rather in the jungle, and would
take UP the forward movement imme-
diately the sun rises tomorrow. There
was no question about stopping al this
point. The movement was intended TO
break the rebel power, and it would be
pushed to the utmost until the rebels
surrendered or fed beyond reach in the
mountains and jungles.
1t is said at the department that Otis
has under his command in Manila and
vicinity about q 900 soldiers; Aguin-
aldo, according to Otis last report has
10000 armed men. General Corbin es-
Inmates that the American flying col
umn was about 10,06 men strong The
insurgents, according to Otis, had about
1900 men in line. But AguinaldC's re-
serve, 5000 strong, is not far distant
fDom the scene of the firing line; in
deed, it is suspected that some Of them.
including the leader himself, may have
been drawn into to-day's struggle, in
which case the odds would have been
heavily against the Americans. The
latter appear to be, taking full advan-
tage Of the great assistance to be found
in the possession Of the railroad, for
their movement to-day was generally
parallel to the road at all points.
There is a possibility of confusion
over the names OF Generals Hale ana
Hall. General Irving Hale was colone!
of the Colorado Infantry and has been
promoted to be brigadier general of
volunteers. General Robert H Hall
was formerly colonel of the Fourth In
fantry and has been promoted to be
brigadier general of volunteers. Both
of these men were in the engagements
Of to-day north of Manila.
An inquiry was made as to why so
large proportion of the volunteer
troops were thrown into the advance
1t was answered at the department
that these particular volunteers were
actually more Veteranized than many
of the regulars. They have been in
service now nearly a year, and in that
time have seen more fighting than any
other branch Of the army. They have
an advantage over the regulars who
have just arrived in their knowledge of
jungle fighting. acquired through their
| long stay at Manila. Then it is Said
TO be the part of prudence TO maintain
a strong reserve of the most reliable
men in such a movement as that now
going on, and General Otis in his dis
patch of yesterday emphasized the ne
cesstty of maintaining the old battle
lines surrounding the city.