Free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1888-1908, 1899-02-18
TELLS THEM TO FIGHT.
AguinaIdo Blamed by Otis for Be-
ginning HostiIities.
REBELS GATHERING IN FORCE.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 13.-The follow
ing cablegram was received at the War
department yesterday:
Reported that insurgent representa-
tive at Washington teIegraphed Agu-
inaldo to drive out Americans before
arrival reinforcements. Dispatch re-
ceived Hong Kong and mailed Malolos
which decided on attack to be ma de
about 9TH inst. Eagerness of insur-
gent troops for engagement pre-
cipitated battle. Very quiet to-day
on lines from Calocan on north to
PansaY on south. Yesterday small
reconnoitering party twelve miles
south of city fired on two men.
slightly wounded. Two insurgents
with arms captured.
Affair of 10th McArthur-s division,
very successful. Enemy's loss consid-
cradle; have collected seventy dead
bodies: more not yet discovered. In
surgents reported to be gathefing
force twelve miles north on railway.
but evidently perpleXcd.-Otis."
MANILA, Feb. J3.-Contrary to Pnn-
eral expectations, all is quiet along
the entire line. nothing having hap
pened to disturb the peace of Sunday.
In Manila the inha bitants have gener-
ally recovered from the alarm occa-
stoned by the fear of native uprising,
and are resuming their ordinary bust
ness The shipping interests are nat
urally suffering, since there have been
no clearances for Philippine ports for
a week, but on the other hand. foreign
shipping has increased, especially for
Hong Kong, every steamer bound
thither being crowded with timid re-
fugees.
Despite this quietude, however,
many are asking whether the problem
is not still far from solution. A week
ago those who took an optimistic view
predicted that the terrible lesson just
administered to the rebels would set
tie the question of Filipino indepen-
dence. But this prediction has not
been fulfilled. AS a matter of fact the
rebels are now scattered throughout
the country bushwhacl1ing, except at
| Sdalabon, where they are gathering in
force. Even there eheir methods SAVIOR
more of guerrilla than Of civilized
warfare, every bush, clump of trees
| and tree furnishing cover for sharp
shooters.
Unfortunately for miles around the
land is studded with bamboo Jungle
and open spaces are few and far be-
tween. This affords the natives, who
fight better under cover, distinct
| advantage.
Under such conditions it is remark
| able that the American casualties
should be so few while the number of
dead natives found in the brush after
every skirmish testifies to the pre-
cision of our fire. Last week there
was not a single day without fighting,
but the Americans steadily advanced,
carrying everything before them.
Heavy Loss of Enemy
It is now known that the Filipino
loss is fully $500 killed with wounded
vastly in excess of that number, and
thousands are held prisoners. All this
has been achieved at the cost of sixty
five Americans killed and 276 wounded.
Teere are twenty-five Americans miss
| ing and unaccounted for. No fewer
| than ten of the native villages have
surrendered or been captured. Sew
erai have been destroyed because their
houses harbored men, frequently dis
! guised in female attire, who shot from
| windows and roofs at the Americans.
! Many rifles and ton of ammunition
have been seized. As might be ex-
| pected, there has been looting in the
| outskirts, but it has not been general
and has been done in direct violation
OF orders.
The only incident that has broken
the day followed the arrival of the
German first-class cruiser Kaiserin Au-
| gusta- When she saluted Admiral
Dewey yesterday afternoon a report
| spread rapidly that the American war
ships were bombarding Malabon
Sunday crowds visited the scenes of
last weeks fighting. All the roads
from the city were thronged with We
hicles. But beyond burned villages
and new mounds in the fields there
! was little to be- seen. Inspection
showed that most of the enemy's dead
had remained at their post to the last,
as the bodies were usually surrounded
by empty cartridges, while in the
trenches, wherever there was no dead,
there was little and often no ammuni-
tion.
Among the distinguished prisoners
captured in Manila since the outbreak
of hostilities are Captain A. G. Esca-
milo, Aguinaldo's. private secretary;
Captain E. P. Keraguth. Colonel Mar
tin De Los Reeves, and Senior Tomaso
Del Rosario, a member of the so-called
Filipino congress in session at MaIolos.
Other Filipino officers are also in Gus
fOSav