Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-12-08
Gen. Otis Report.

Inc adJutant general has received two
important messages from General Otis
showing latest developments in the situa-
ton in the Philippines. They are as follows:
MANILA. December s, 1880
informed hat thc outbreak of the ma
tives in the district south of Negros was a
result OF reported recent great insurgent
victories IN Luzon and Panay, which ma
dves believe. The extent of the outbreak
has not been ascertafued. Lieutenant A.
C. Ledydrd, Gth Infantry. was killed and
two privateS Wounded. One Of our chief
difficulties arises from the circulation of
falsehoOds among The natives defamatory
newspaper articles of United States and
Europe promptly published in Spanish IN
San Francisco, Madrid and by the Hong
Kong junta and circulated in the Philip
pines The Insurgents have based all their
hopes upon false rumcrs. OTIS
MANILA, December s. 1899
Hospital ship Relief, which has just re-
turned from Nigan. bringing 212 sick SOL
diers, D. Spanish prisoners, reports several
hundred Spanish prisoners at Vigan, for
which we will send transport this even
ing Col. Hare, 33d Infantry took Bangued
on the 9Th instant, and now, with a portion
of his regiment and a battalion of the 34th
Infantry, is in pursuit of the insurgents on
the road southeast to Lepanto, thence to
Bontoc, on which Aguinaldo and 300 in
surgents are supposed TO be retreat!ng
with American prisoners. The inhabitants
of the western Luzon coast are friendly
and give assistance OTIS"
Aguinaido Hemmed In.
The town of Bontoc, toward which Aguin-
aldo, with his body guard, is said to be re-
treating, lies in the mountain Businesses of
the northern end Of Luzon being about
fifty-five or sixty miles southeast of Vigan,
where the northern base of the American
forces was established by the Oregon, and
which is now in the possession of Gen
Young 1t Is believed that notwithstanding
the rugged country in which Aguinaldo is
taking refuge, the troops will soon drive
him out. II this last report as to Aguin-
aldo's whereabouts is true 1t indicates that
he has been beaded of in his retreat to the
northward for the first time and is beng
compelled TO retrace his steps toward the
south, although he has laid his course this
time through the interior of the upper
peninsula rather than along the western
coast. If he Is striving to regain his old
stronghold in Cavtte province his chances
OF success are very slight just fifty miles
south of his present station and directly in
his line Of march through the valley is
considerable American force at Bayonbong;
TO the westward of that point is Wheaton's
force on the shores of Lingayen gulf, and
to the east of Bayonbong is an almost i'm
passable mountain range. So with Young
behind him: with Col Hare close in his
rear. and his front obstructed as above in
dicated, the War Department officials feel
that Aguinaldo has little chance of escap-
ing to the southwark. In addition to the
forces already mentioned Maj. Batcheiler
only port of Importance on the extreme
north end of the island. SO as to control
the outlet in that direction. The best
chance remaining to Aguinaldo is believed
to be to abandon the escort of 300 now
travelling with him. in which case he might
easily insure his personal escape in dis
guise, an event the administration would
probably view with eouanimity.
Lieut.. Ledyard's Death.
Lieut. Ledyard, whose death at Negros
was announced by Gen. Otis this morning.
was a son of President Henry B. Ledyard
OF the Michigan Central railroad. and a
nephew of Gen. Ruggles, formerly adjutant
general of the army. and now governor of
the Soldiers Home in Washington. The
young mans record was excellent. He en-
listed as a private in the 1st Connecticut
Artillery at the outbreak of the Spanish
war Although born In Illinois, he was
transferred into the regular service July
o, 1895. his appointment being charged to
Michigan He was assigned to the I'd In
fantry, but was transferred to the 18th.
and afterward to the 9Th Infantry He was
attached to Gen. Miles stafr during the
Porto Rican campaign He Joined the 10Th
Infantry at Jefferson barracks Missouri. in
January last, and accompanied that regi.
ment to the Philippines, where he was as.
signed to duty with the 9Th Infantry on the
Island of Negros.
Transports Arrive.
Adjutant General Corbin received a tele
gram this morning from Gen. Otis saying
that the transports Olympia and PennsyI-
vania, carrying the 39th Volunteer Infantr,