Evening star., 1899-03-25
OTIS BLOW STRUCK
Vigorous Opening Of His Aggressive
Operations.
DRIVING A WEDGE THR0' The ENEMY
War Department Opinion Of the
Generals Intentions.
LUZON'S BIGGEST FIG II T

began to reach Washington of a stirring
battle over in Manila, an engagement
which promised to eclipse in importance
anything that had gone before on the
Island of Luzon. The dispatches were
deemed of sufficient Importance by the SUBJ
ordinate officials who received them to
warrant disturbing the sleep of Adjutant
General Corbin. and lie in turn conveyed
the news to Acting Secretary Meiklejohn
before the latter had breakfasted at his
hotel.
First there came a dispatch of yesterdays
date, which was evidently delayed, but it
indicated Gen. Otis purpose to begin the
advance which was described in the sub
sequent dispatch of today's date in clear
and concise terms. The early dispatch fol-
lows:
MANILA, March "a, 1899.
Adjutant General. Washington.
City quiet business progressing: no ind-
cations of excitement; fighting far beyond
city limits and firing cannot be heard; o.d
battle lines surrounding city maintained, as
city cannot be safely uncovered.
OTIS
The other dispatch stated that MacAr-
thur, with two brigaGes, began an advance
on Novalische. northeast Caloocan. and the
center of the insurgent line, at daylight
this morning, advancing rapidly and
cessfuly, and that he would swing to the
left and strike north of Polo. Wheaton's
brigade. fronting Caloocan, would press
forward at the proper time. Halls brigade,
north of Pasig, demonstrating west of the
pumping station. The enemy was esti
mated at 1900 strong. Gen. Otis was en-
deavoring to take a large fraction in
verse.
Otis Puts His Plan in Operation.
Intense interest was exhibited al the War
and Navy Departm in the news The
fact soon appeared that Gen. Otis had at
last begun to put into operation the Wig
orCus plan of campaign which he has been
so carefully preparing for the last mon,h
or more, and it was confidently expected
that this blow would destroy the last YES
tige of the rebel organization, though il
was realized that this could not be effected
without severe loss on the part of our
forces. Still, it was deemed by Cen Otis
military necessity to change the policy of
aN oidins engagements save where attacked
in favor of an aggressive campaign be-
cause with the approach of the rainy and
unhealthy season, now within a month, the
position of the American troops on the
outer lines would become untenable A
fortnight ago Gen. Otis notified the War
department that he expected to begin an
important movement within three weeks
and it is understood that tCday's fighting is
the first manifestation of the execution Of
that purpose.
Trying to Divide the Insurgents.
INN sdiately upon the receipt of the ca
blegram this morning announcing the BE-
ginning OF the advance by MacArtnurs
division, and the plan for the movement of
the remaining sections of the American
column there was an immediate consulta-
ton of the maps which have baan drafted
hj' the military informa ton division. in H..
effort to arrive at a correct understandfnc
of the campaign. Unfortunately. th.ra fs
no official statement III WASHINGTON of the
disposition Of the American forces while
not even the strength of the insurgents is
known. However, with the aid of Gen
Otis cahleSram, tax N in connection with
those OF preceding days, and the news dis
patches, it was perceived that the Ameri-
can general was endeavoriEg to drive n
wedge straight through the center of the
lnsuigent army, and then hy q rand whaaI
TO crush out one of the divided wings
against another section of the American
co'ufnn Otis statement that II am en-
enemy IN reverse" was taken to make this
plain.
AS nearly as could be calculated Nc
Arthur held the middle of the Ame,ioa,,
Inc He was driving straight northward
ana was to proceed in that direction rnt;I
he had flanked the insurgent center The
statement that he had arrived at Noval
ische shows that he was then about nine
miles northeast of Manila. If he succeeds
III MS purpose, when he swings to the left
horth OF Polo, he will have between him
SCI and the Bay of Manila about a third
oI the lnsurSent army. If he manages to
get IN the rear of this body, the Insurgents
win De iairfy cornered in triangle formed
pS 1he Day on the one side, McArthurs
ierce on the northeast and Wheaton's bri-
sade On the south. 1t is assumed that this
Is what Otis means when he talks of talk
ing the enemy ''in reverse" for the state-
ineht that wheaton will press forward at
the proper time is regarded as an indication
'na' II VIII De his duty to close up the
triangle, and prevent the escape of the
insurgents. The only hope of the latter
would appear to be in retreating before
McArthurs advance so rapidly as to pre-
vent being cornered and driven back on
wheaton; but even In this case their force
would be split in two, and their nosition
would be untenable for any length of time
Gen. Corbin's attention was called to the
indication from the cablegram that the en-
gagemenr seemed to be general along the
American lines from the pumping station
east of Manila and near the river clear
around to a point due north-a vast cres-
cent, twenty miles long. He expressed the
belief that this was only apparent that.
as Otis had used the word "demonstrat-
ing" in speaking of the brigade stationed
at the waterworks, it was evident that
Otis purpose was to distract the attention
of the enemy from the main point of at
tack on the north. At any rate it would
serve to prevent the insurgents from con-
eentrating to oppose McArthur's advance.
from the fear that through an attack by
| the Americans from the direction of the
pumping station they would be fianked
Use of the Volunteers.
An inquiry was made as to why SO large
proportion of volunteer troops was
| thrown into the advance. 1t was answered
| at the department that these particular
volunteers were actually more veteranized
J than many of the regulars. They have been