Omaha daily bee., 1899-04-01

WASHINGTON, March 3l-The following
dispatch was received at the War depart
ment early this morning:
MANILA March 31.-Adjutant General,
Washington: Troops resting at Maloos.
Considerable portion of city destroyed by
fire. Our casualties one killed, fifteen
wounded. Hall has returned with his troops
to his former position north of Manila.
OTIS,
MANILA. March 31.-3:55 p m.-The
American flag was raised over Malolos at
10 o'clock this morning. The Kansas regi
ment and the Montana regiment, on enter
ing the city, found II deserted the presi
dencia burning and the rebels retreatlng
towards the mountains in state of terror.
1t is believed they cannot in future make
even faint resistance.
The American loss was small.
1t is evident that the rebels for some time
past have abandoned all hope OF holding
their capital, for the Americans found there
evidences of elaborate preparations for evac-
uation. On the railroad the rails and ties
for about mile had been torn up and prob
ably thrown into the river The only pris-
oners captured were few Cinnamon. They
said Aguinaldo left Malolos Wednesday.
The principal citizens of Malolos their
families and goods have been taken into the
country over the railroad, while others have
departed on foot, carrying their possessions
and driving their cattle and other animals
before them
Most of the rebel forces were removed
yesterday evening to positions east of the
railroad, leaving only some small bands in
the strong trenches in front of Malolos.
General Macarthur started for the rebel
capital at o'clock this morning with two
rapid fire guns flanking the track, two guns
of the Utah battery on the right and two
guns of the Sixth artillery on the left of
the rapids, firin continuously.
The Kansas Montana regiments moved
upon Malolos and the Nebraska and Penn
sylvania regiments and the Third artillery
kept along the right Of the railroad.
NebrnsIsnns See Fierce Fighting.
The only effective stand made by the
rebels was at a bamboo and earthwork,
half a mile from Malolos and on the right,
where the Nebraska regiment, the
yesterday, had the hardest work and
suffered the greatest loss.
Colonel Funston, always at the front, was
the first man in Malolos, followed by group
of dashng Kansans.
The Filipino flag, which was flying from
the center of the town, was hauled down by
some of the Montana regiment, who
triumphantly raised their own above it.
From the column of smoke arising from
the city It seemed as If the whole place was
ablaze. 1t turned out, however, that only
the presdencia. or government building and
a few of the smaller buildings had been set
on fire by the rebels before they evacuated
the place.
From the reports gathered by the American
officers from prisoners and others, 1t is be-
lieved that the rebel army is constantly los
ing strength on account of desertions, and
that although the enemy may make one
or two more stands, the forces of Aguinaldo
will dsintegrate, in perhaps a month, TO a
few hundreds, who may continue waging a
guerrilla warfare in the mountains.
GnIIantry of Americans.
The American troops behaved splendidy
They advanced steadily against successive
lines of trenches, through woods and jungles
and suffering from frightful heat.
In addition the American volunteers were
handicapped in fighting by the fact that
their Springfield rifles are of shorter range
than the Mauser rifles in the hands of the
rebels. Under those circumstances the
steady advance of our troops is really re
markable achievement.
Bat the most noteworthy feature OF this
onward sweep of the Americans is the
patience and endurance OF the private
soldiers. They have never hesitated tC
plunge across any kind OF difficult country
against any number OF the enemy and il
the face of positions OF entirely unknown
strength.
This afternoon the victorious American
army is feasting on cocoanuts and banana!
and enjoying a well earned rest while thu
hospital train is carrying the wounded bacl
TO Manila.