The Portland daily press., 1899-06-16
Peace Overtures Were
To Gain Time.
This The General Opinion in
Manila Now.

/ Manila, June Is. -5.50 D. m.-Captain
Cable, of General Wheaton's staff, with
three companies of the 9ist regiment, re-
connoitered in the direction Of linus.
The rebels, who were apparently expect
ing an attack, retired, leaving behind
them twenty Spanish prisoners who
joined the Americans. The rnbels have
probably gone to the mountains along th
lake. According to native stories the
rebels carried one hundred dead.and three
hundred wounded through Bacoor after
the recent battle.
The natives ars now flooding into
Bacoor and it is probable there ara many
soldiers in plain clothes among them.
The whole section is practically with
out food aud Major General Otis has
ordered the distribution of rice and beef
to the Inhabitants.
/ Many people still refuse to credit the
stories Of the assassination of General
Luna by the guard at Aguinaldo's head
quarters, though the reports to that effect
are most circumstantial and from good
sources But rumors of assassinations
and disasters from the rebel camp are SO
frequently printed in the local papers
that they have come to be regarded with
Indifference.
The latest is that the governor of Cebu
has been killed by natives because of his
friendship to Americans
/ A prominent com meroial man with ex :
csptional means of learning OF the Fill
pino movements claims to know General
Luna Is still alive. adding that If he is
dead and IL his death occurred month
ago, people would have expected col
lapse of the revolution to follow.
The failure of the Fiiipinos to follow
up the peace negotiations strengthens the
impression that their overtures were
merely to gain time and In order to lure
the Americans to show their hands.
The Independencia, revolutionary or
gan OF May 20, q copy of which has just
been obtained, prints an interview with
Gen. Luna, showing the arguments he
used to keep up the spirits of his fol-
lowers. He represents the Filipino cause
| as prospecting because the Americans
have gained only hundredth part of
J4uzon by hard fighting" and says the
women and children tilling the fields
within the American lines give the pro-
ceeds Of their work to support the Fili-
pino army. He is said to have further
| remarked: More Americans will be
| killed by ambuscades, surprises and dis
ease than bullets. / detest war, but we
cannot accept peace at any price. but in
dependence. The Americans I'D for
their own independence and in their
hearts they appreciate why we resist
them.
TROUBLE AT CEBU.
! Washington, June Is. The war depart
mept bulletins announce the following;
| Manila, June 15.
Adjutant General, Washington:
| PF0minaut Ejliptu0 frianhlv IN mari.
cans, asshssinated at Cebu. Inhabitants
in that locality urgently request a neri-
can protection in stronger force. Have
sent battalion Tennessee and two guns
from I.oilo which insures peace. Hughes
now in charge of affairs in that section.
LAwTON'S SUCCESSES.
Washington, June 15.-General Otis
cabled today the following:
| Manila, June Is.
Adjutant General, Washington:
Success Lawton's troops Cavite province
greater than reported yesterday. Enemy
numbering overa001 lcss In killed, wound
ed and captured more than one third. Re-
mainder much scattered. Have retreated
south TO linus. their arsenal;of i've pieces
OF artillery three We're captured.
Navy aided greatly on shore bay, land
ing forces occasionally. Inhabitants in
that county rejoice Mt deliverance and
welcome with enthusiastic demonstrations
arrival OF our troops. Otis.
READY TO MOVE ON LINES.
Manila, June l5.-Noon-Th Fourth
regular infantry and the Wyoming regi-
ment have been added to Gen. sLawton q
command and today they were towed
across In cascoes to Las Pinas preparatory
to moving on Imus, five miles Inland,
where the reDels are reported to have an
arsenal and large quantity of supplies
TROOPS FOR OTIS.
Washington, June 15.-Gen. Otis is or
ganizing three regiments in the Philip
pines, composed OF officers and men OF
| the state volunteers who desire to remain
in the service. If the full complement
cannot be made up from these discharged
| volunteers in the Philippines the regi-
ments will be organized and Differed in
skeleton form until recruits can be sent
from the United States to ill them,
These three proposed regiments, with
three regiments of regulars to sail from
San Francisco on the 22d and cath and
those under orders for Manila will give
Gen. Otis 33. .0O0 lighting men,
WATSON All HONG KONG.
| Washington, June 15.-Admiral Watson
has arrived OF Aong Kong and has taken
command OF the Asiatic squadron, reliev-
ing Capt. Barker OF the Oregon, who has
been In charge since Admiral Dewey
sailed from Manila. Capt. Barker will
return to the United States on mail
| steamer.