The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1899-03-23
REORGANIZED.
Our Force In the Philippines Divided
Into Two Divisions.
Col. Smith, at Negros. Has Drafted Con-
stitution on simple Lines-The Govern
nent Is Placed In the Natives Hands
Except Certain Reservations.

MANILA, March ~. line ent1re
American force has been re-organized,
two divisions, of three brigades each,
being formed. Gen. Lawton Saturday
assumed command of the first which
consist of the Washington, North Da-
kota and California volunteers, under
Gen. King; six troops of the 4th
cavalry, the 14th regulars, the Idaho
volunteers and battalion of the Iowa
troops, under Gen. Overshine; the Sd
and ED regular infantry and the
Oregon regiment, under Gen. Wheaton,
and Dyer's and Hawthorne's light bat
teries.
Gen. McArthur's division consists Of
two batteries of the Sd artillery, the
Kansas and Montana volunteers, under
Gen. H. G. Otis, the Colorado, Nebraska
and South Dakota regiments, and six
companies of the Pennsylvanians un-
der Gen. Hale, the 4th and 18th regu-
lars, the Minnesota and Wyoming vol
unteers and the Utah artillery.
a separate brigade will be assigned
to provost guard duty, consisting of
the Goth and eight companies of the
23d regular infantry.
Gen. Anderson, now in command of
the 1st division of the sth army corps,
will return to the United States in ac-
cordance with the orders of January
%.
An attack was made by the rebels
Friday upon the battery at Iona
church. but were repulsed by the Penn
sylvania advance, with heavy loss.
Lieut.. Thompson and Privates Mcvay
and McCanse, of Company c. were
wounded.
A gunboat, with a company of the
23d regulars on board. is now on the
lake attacking the small towns. She
was last heard of off Morong and Santa
Cruz.
At Negros island committee, with
Col. Smith presiding, is drafting con-
stitution on simple lines, placing the
government in the hands of the ma
tives, excepting the customs, postal
and telegraphic services, military and
police matters and external politics.
kilograms from other portions of the
islands betoken friendly sentiments to-
ward the Americans. 1t is likely that
there will be peaceful resumption of
all business.
Senor Lacson, the president of the
native government, desires to retire to
private life, in which event Juan Aran-
eta, q prominent native planter, will
become president.
The native troops will become gend-
armerie, at fixed scale of wages and
with special stations and barracks.
They will hand over their Mausers and
Remingtons and receive Springfield
rifles for arms
COL Smith is popular and is display
ing much tact in his conduct of affairs.
Everything there is satisfactory.
The Boston has gone to Zamboanga,
formerly the refuge of the Spaniards
from the southern islands, to assume
peaceful control. After a conference
here between Gen. Miller Commander
Walter, of the Concord, Lieut. Com
mander Cowper and prominent natives
on board the Plover, it was decided that
Cowper should cross the lines and ne
gotiate a settlement with the rebels,
who are much reduced in mum mbers ow-
ing to desertions.
Should this result be reached the
bottom will be knocked out of the rev.
olution. The only thing left will be
for Otis to tackle Luzon, and his troops
would soon reduce Aguinaldo and his
faction to suing for peace.