The Somerset reporter., 1899-05-04
War Notes.


the effect that Aguinaldo intends "to
retain the American and Spanish pris.
oners as in the event of cessation of
hostilities it will enable him to demand
better terms of peace"
Report is current that the entire force
of the It'll Artillery at Fort Preble and
Fort Williams, Portland, have been or
dered to prepare for departure to Fort
Slocum with the Philippines as the ulti-
mate destination. The two posts at
Portland, it is understood, will be
looked after by attachments of six men
each.
Gen. MacArthur's division crossed the
Rio Grande, Thursday, and advanced on
Apalit, completely routing the flower OF
the rebel army. Most of the rebels fled
to Apalit station where two trains were
waiting them. They left hurriedly,
presumably for san Fernando. The
towns of San Vinente and Apalit were
simultaneously burned and evacuated
by the natives. Twenty prisoners were
captured, including a Spaniard. The
American troops also captured brass
cannon and a quantity of arms and am
munition, and, the same evening, they
captured Maxim gun on the railroad.
Gen. Lawton's advance has been re-
ma1kable demonstration of the resist
less energy which charaeterzes all his
undertakings.
The committee of Filipinos organized
to mediate between the Americans and
Aguinaldo fears to approach the rebels
after the refusal of the latter to receive
the spanish Commissioners, who were
bearing white flag.
Gen Mac Arthur captured Calumpit,
Thursday, after considerable resistance
on the part of the native army. AS
usual the rebel force fired certain parts
of the city and retreated.
Friday, April 2S, Col Manuel Al
gueleses and Lieut. Jose Bernal, chief of
Gen. Luna's staff, entered Gen. Mac
Arthur's line bearing flag of truce.
They were en- route for Manila by train
to confer with Gen. Otis regarding terms
of surrender. They were conducted to
Manila where they had an audience
with Gen. Otis. They told him that
they were representatives of Gen. Luna
who had been requested by Aguinaldo
to ask Gen. Otis for a cessation of hos
Utilities in order to allow time for the
summoning of the Filipino Congress
which body would decide whether the
people wanted peace. Gen. Otis replied
that he did not recognize the existence
of Filipino government. Arrange
ments were made for further confer.
ence, Saturday, and the government al
" ashington appraised of the situation
General Macarthur has sent an fficer
to General Antomo Luna, the Filipino
commander, under flag Of truce, carry.
ing money aud provisions for American
prisoners in lis hands and asking an ex.
change Of prisoners and The names OF
such rs he may have.
1t IL reported that the insurgents have
two tfficers and sixteen others and IL Il
supposed that among those are Lieut.
Gilmour and eleven men of the crew OF
the Yorktown who fell into the hands OF
the FilpiDOs last month when the gun.
boat visited Balera, on the east coast OF
Luzon.
Major Bill, with a squad Of scouts, has
captured the town Of Mscahehe, about
four miles southwest of C4lumpi, The
people ringing bells and shouting
'VIvas.'
The American army il now employing
Macbebes instead at Cinnamon, and they
are delighted To get fifty cents IA day, de.
claring their loyalty 10 The Americans.
Major Manuel Arguellrs and Lieut.
Jose Bernal, of the staff of Gen. Antonio
Luna, returned to Manila, Tuesday, t.
renew and press the request Of Gen
Luna for "A cessation Of hostilities. rht
two officers were received in conference
by Muj0r Gen. +. y. OILS. The pro
lie N1tt luA IA nh
Ell but slightly from those which they
brought from the Filipino commander il
the first place. They desired little
time In which TO summon Congress auC
expressed themselves az being confident
that the Congress will decree peace, be-
cause the people desire II. They repre-
sent IN Aguinaldo is without power tt
surrender. the army, and that the Con
gress must decide that question.
The first authentic information regard
ing Lieut.. J. &. Gilmore and his party OF
fourteen men from the u. =. gunboat
Yorktown, who were Captured by tht
Fiiipinos on April 12'h, was received
Tuesday afternoon al the hands Of Major
Arguplles of The staff of Gen. Antonio
Luna. 1t is In the f'rm of list OF the
missing men, and IL signed by Lieut.
Gilmore. The lieutenant reports that ht
aud his party have been brought across
two mountains from Baler, where they
were captured. This information was
brought In response TO n note from
Major Gen. Macarthur sent 10 Col. Lnns
Nv Major Shields and LIEUT.. Hayne and
those officers bearing flag OF truce
carried across Ge Luna's lines on
yesterday evening. The note, after
asking for Information regarding Ameri-
can prisoners in Gen. Luna's hands, con.
cluded with the message that ne (Gen.
MacArthur) would be pleased to meet
Gen. Luna.
There Was a conference lasting two
hours, Wednesday, between Major
General f. ). OILS and the ENJOYS who
came here from General Antonio Luna
bearing a proposal for u cessation OF
hostiitles. Gen. Otis adhered to his re.
fusal to recognize the so.caIed govern
nrnt OF the insurgents.
The FilipinOs now AK for truce OF
three months To enable Aguinaldo to
summon the Congress and consult with
the insurgent leaders on another of the
islands.
Letter to Augustus Fowler.
Dear Sir There is going to be, from
now on, in Skowhegau a good deal OF
naintinu donp tbat will Inst In Unnd con.