The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1899-03-28
AGUINALDO COMMANDS
But the Rebel Troops Are Being
Chased Into Malolos.
OUR SOLDIERS MUST MOVE SLOW.
RcbeI Entrenchmcuts Bar the speed,

Rebel Entrenchmeuts Bar the speedy
Movement OF the Army - General
otis Has Purchased All the spanish
Gunbonts In the Philippines.
Washington. March 2S.-Thc third day
Of the fighting north OF Manila brought
little OF a decisive character from which
the war department officials could judge
what the hnal outcome Of this movement
would be. In all official quarters the
most intense interest prevailed, but there
was no excitement aud none OF that
anxiety and tension shown during the
memorable days Of last summer, when
the decisive blows were being struck at
Santiago. Early in the day General
Otis coblcd the war department brieI
but comprehensive dispatch summing ~
the situation. II disclosed that severe
fighting was going ON, with our forces
advanced as far north as Mariloa, while
the insurgents. under the command OF
Aguinal1o in person, were being driven
back with considerable slaughter. This
and the press dispatches satisfied the Of
ficials that the stragetic movement OF
entrapping the insurgents between our
lines had not proved as successful as
designed, and that the move had now
shifted TO a retreat by Aguinaldo's forces
aud pursuit by our troops
The insurgcnt retreat towards Malolo,
was slow and dogged, and advantage
was taken Of one after another Of lines Of
entertainments, the burning Of bridges
and the interruption Of communications
General Otis dispatch, although receiv-
ed early yesterday, was sent Monday
evening. Manila time, and summed up
the work of the three days That the
fighting would proceed into the fourth
day was shown by his closing sentence:
"The column will press on in the morn
ing This refers TO today.
The engagement has now shaped Il.
self so that it is looked upon as more
Of a chase than the execution Of a
strategic movement. With the American
base advanced to Mariloa, and the in
surgent base forced back to MalolOs the
main bodies of the two opposing forces
are about ten or twelve miles apart.
This could be quickly covered in a
forced march under fair conditions, but
it is - miles Of innumerable difficulties
and obstacles which our troops must
cover before they reach the insurgent
stronghold. 1t is expected that the en-
ginocrs with Macarthur are hastily re-
pairing the burned bridges. This will
permit the artillery to be taken for
ward, as we'll as the infantry columns.
II is expected that every mile of the
distance to Malolos will he contested
by the insurgents, for General Otis re-
ports that it is a stretch Of country COW
cred with the entertainments thrown up
during the last three months.
Our men, therefore. must advance
slowly, repairing the roads as they go,
and at the same time they must fight
their way through well made rebel en-
trenchments Malolos is the insurgent
capital, where the assembly has been
sitting and the insurgent government
has been in operation. Ii represents
more to the insurgents than any other
place in the Philippines. and little doubt
Is entertained that they will make des-
perate stand there.
The tactics OF Aguinaldo are taking
him gradually beyond the range of Ad-
miral Dewey's guns. While the insur-
gents were at MalabOn, on Saturday,
they were within a mile Of the water
front and easily within range of the
fleet. But as they have moved north
ward they have gradually moved away
from the bay. Malolos is about seven
miles back of the bay. although there
are shallow estuaries which would per
init light draft boats to get within
mile or two.
The war department officials have no
knowledge of Prince Loewenstein. who
was killed at Manila on Sunday There
is no record showingthat he had author
ity to go with the army as a representa-
tive Of a foreign government or in any
other capacity. It was said that he had
enlisted in the regular army, but there
is nothing in the war department to
show it. Secretary Hay, of the state
department, knew Loewenstein in Eng
land where he was married in 1897
He was Of a rowing disposition and went
to the Philippines in a spirit OF adven-
ture.
The following cabegram was received
by the war department from General
Otis on March 10, and has just been
made public:
"Have purchased all gunboats in Phil
ippines Of Spain, 13 in number, now
at Zamboanga. Half are in serviceable
condition. Payment in cash from public
fund upon delivery at Manila. They
viii be sent this week"