Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-05-18

-NO. If.fAO.
sistent advance of the Americans that they
are ready to accept peace on the best terms
they can obtain. Driven northward to the
foothills of the mountains as they have
been. their fleeing and scattered forces, dis
integrated and disheartened, can no longer
be made to face our victorious advance.
Less than a week ago General Luna was
reported just north of San Fernando, where
General MacArthur's troops reconcentrated.
and in the neighbOrhood of RaColor, with
about 5000 rebels. Today General Otis
reports that the remnant of this force,
about $500 men. has withdrawn to Tarlac,
over twenty miles north of San Fernando.
1t is probable that the remainder of this
force moved east and Joined the main body
of the insurgents. which abandoned San
1sidrO yesterday and fled northward to the
point from which AguinAdo is now sending
his commissioners to sue for peace
Will Not Gain Time for the Rebels
If this is ruse to gain time, which none
of the officials at the War Department be-
lieve. 1t will avail them nothing as the
Americans will utilize the period during the
negotiations in accommodating the country
ahead of them preparatory to the immedi-
&c A'SSAIfNI'ii III III case the ne
gotiations fail. Gen. Otis In his cable re-
ports that scouting parties and detach-
ments are moving today in all directions
The dispatch of two battalons of the 2Sth
Infantry yesterday to Jolo. the principal
town in the Sulu archipelago. is the fourth
military expedition detached from the main
body of our troops at Manila. The Sulu
archipelago is a group of $50 small islands
extending in ne nj ont 10
the Aleutian Islands, south of the Philip
pines.
The 18th Infantry, 1st Tennessee and
Bridsman's Battery, under Gen. Hughes,
are at Iloilo; two battaions of the 1st Cali
fornia ar@ at RacaIct, on the Island of Ne
gros. and one battalion of the 23d In
fantry is at Cehu. So far as known there
are no insurgents organized in the Sulu
group. which was presided over by a sui
tan until by royal decree Of the Spanish
government in 1891 the sultauship was
transferred into civicO-military govern
ment. The population Of the islands con-
sists Of 5ro ahorigines, 612 Chinese traders
and 1G,UuD negroes
Tents to he ncFt at Manila.
Gen. Otis, at Manila. was notified by tele-
graph today not to send home any of the
tents with which the volunteer troops in
the Philippines are equipped. These are
new tents and were procured especially for
the philippine campaign. They We're sent
out with the volunteer regiments and. bus
for t0days instructions to the contrary.
would be brought back with them. In the
interests of economy and eXpeiienCy. it has
been decided TO retain them in the Philip
pines for the benefit Of the troops to be.
sent 10 relieve the volunteers. There is a
large stock Of tents At San Francisco from
TFH : &c int. t..l
coming volunteers on their arrival for their
accommodation in camp pending their mus
ter out Of the government service.
Homecoming OF Volunteers.
This action of the department today is
accepted as an indication that the home
movement of the volunteers is to be started
without further delay, and it is predicted
that the first expedition will leave Manila
in few days for San Francisco. Gen.
Otis has already notified the War Depart
ment that he expected to start the vOlun-
teers home by the end OF the present month.
According TO the plan of giving precedence
to the troops of longest service in the Phil
ippines. the first expedition for home will
be made up Of the California and Oregon
volunteers. The transport Hancock is now
at Manila available for their transportation
port which are taking reinforcements from
San Francisco. are expected to arrive at
Manila in a few days, so that they will
also be soon available for bringing home
other volunteer regiments. The big troop
ships sherman, Grant and Sheridan will
also be devoted to the purpose Of bringing
home tha gallant men in the Philippines
whose terms of service have expired.
The Sherman will sail from San Francisco
On the 22d instant with the 9TH Regiment Of
Infantry. which left San Antonio ycster-
day for the point of embarkatiOn. The
Grant is under orders to sail from San
]F9siG n Ing he n
Regiment Of Infantry. now distributed at
western posts. The Sheridan is daily ex-
pccted at San Francisco with sick and dis
charged soldiers from the Philippines. and
will start back there as soon as she can be
put in readiness for the trip. She will prob
ably carry the 18th Regiment of Infantry,
expected soon from Porto Rico.
Can Accommodate Over i3eoo.
In addition to the vessels already mention
ed there are at San Francisco or on the way
TO that port the following: Indiana, Morgan
City. Pennsylvania and Senator. The ten
ships mentioned can carry 533 officers and
12740 men, nearly all the volunteers who
are in the Philippines.
There are four other ships belonging to
the Pacific fleet of transports. the st. Paul,
Valencia, Zelandia and Pueblo, on their
way to San Francisco, which have been
ordered To be discharged. as they will be
no longer needed in the service.
Within Two Months.
The War Department is taking active
measures for the return of the volunteers.
The Pacific coast fleet of transports are
being overhauled and arrangements being
made to provision them for the voyage to
Manila and return. 1t is expected that
within two months every transport will
have been sent to Manila and be on its
way home with the last of the volunteer
regiments. There will be no great delay
between the sailing ships, and each trans
port viii sail as soon as loaded.