Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1899-05-04
GEN. OTIS PRAISES FUNSTON.
The Kansan's Passage of the Rio Grande
River Referred TO AZ "a Remarkable
Military Achievement"

Washington, April 29-The end OF
the Filipino instruction is in sight, in
the opinion of army and navy officials.
A telegram received from Gen. Otis
yesterday announced that Aguinaldo
had taken what is regarded as the first
step toward surrendering, namely, re-
questing u cessation of hostilities Sec
rotary Algcr said, as the department
closed, that, while IL could not be said
that peace was assured, he regarded
the prospects as of the brightest, and
felt confident that the end of the in
surrection was near.
The text of Gen. Otis dispatch an
nouncing the prospect of peace follows;
Manila, April q, -Adit General Washington:
After taking Calumpet MacArthur's division
crossed the Rio Grand river In the face Of great
distractions, driving tho concentrated forces OF
the enemy back on the railroad two miles. Mac
Arthur reports that the passage OF the river
was u remarkable military achievement, the
success OF which was due 10 the daring skin and
determination Of Col. Funston, under tho dis
eliminating control Of Gen, Wheaton, Casual
ties slight, number not yet nScertalnGd This
morning chief Of STAFF from commanding general
Of the insurgent forces entered our lines 10 eX-
press admiration OF the wonderful feat Of the
American army In forcing passage Of the river,
which was thought impossible. Staif officer re-
ports that the nsurgont commanding general
has received from insurgent government direc-
lions TO suspend hostilittes pending negotiations
for the termination OF the war. Stan officer
with party Is now en- route TO Manila and will
soon arrive Lawton's forces well In hand In
vicinity Of Angat, east Of Calumpit, where he Is
waiting supplies TO be sent tomorrow. Yestor-
day morning force of 500 insurgents attacked
troops at Tagulgi driven back by Washington
regiment. Our loss two killed, II wounded.
Funston VIII BE Promoted.
Washington, April GAS reward
for his heroic conduct in the Luzon
campaign, which eliminated in his
gallant dash across the Rio Grande and
the Generalization of the flower of
Aguinaldo's army, Col. Fred Funston, OF
the Twentieth Kansas, is to be given a
brigadier generals commission, He
will be promoted very soon and given
command of a brigade in the Philippine
army. War department officials were
enthusiastic and hearty in commend
ing the heroic exploits of the plucly
Kansan, and the high encomium
paid him by Maj Gen. Otis in
his cablegram insures substantial
reward for the 'hero of Calumpit." 1t
is freely admitted by military men and
naval officers that Col. Funston's
achievement places him on plane
above Hobson, of the Merrimac, or
Roosevelt, who charged up San Juan
hill. The successful outcome of his
feat in crossing the Rio Grande, con
sidered impossible by the insurgents,
brings him prominently into the fore
ground as the greatest figure in the
American army of occupation. From
this point of view is he regarded here,
and the presidents approval of the
recommendation of the secretary of
war that he be made a brigadier gen
eral is regarded as foregone conclu-
sion