The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-03-30
Filipino Capital and Strong
hold Will Probably Be :.
Reached To-Day.
MACARTHUR'S MARCH
Troops Meeting Less Resistance
From the Enemy During the
Forward Movement.
Special Dispatch to The Call.

WASHINGTON, March 29.-When
General Otis reported to the War De-
partment early to-day that at o'clock
this morning the American troops un-
der Macarthur again took up their ad-
vance there was renewed expectation
of fighting and decisive developments.
General Otis dispatch covered much
ground, not only in showing the position
of our troops, but also the extent of
the advance contemplated for the day.
The halt and rest of yesterday gave a
new aspect to the advance, for instead
Of a long continued fight with jaded
troops and exhausted supplies Mac
Arthur began practically a new ad-
vance to-day with his men refreshed
and well supplied.
Major Simpson, who is closely follow
ing the movement of the troops by
means of the military map, regarded
General Otis dispatch as showing that
the plan to-day was to reach Bigaa,
seven miles from Malolos. and there
wait until tomorrow for the final ad-
vance on Malolos. The march cut out
for to-day covers about seven miles.
The two towns mentioned, Bocave and
Bigaa, are the only ones along the line
of march and they are small pueblos.
1HSIG IS, however, d constant Success
sion of haciendas and plantations,
showing that the road lies through
rather fertile country. There are two
natural obstacles lying along the route,
first the Marilao River, and further on
the Balucan.
The bridge over the Marilao River
has been burned but all reports indi-
cate that the engineers have succeeded
in repairing it. Bigaa is just beyond
the BaluCan River, so that General
Otis report that MacArthur's advance
will continue to Bigaa" was construed
at the War Department 10 mean that
the two rivers would be passed before
to-day's advance closed. Being seven
miles from MalolOs our forces can
either cover that distance tomorrow
or else turn southwark and reduce the
large city Of Balucan, on the left. The
expectation here is that they VIII keep
on TO Malolos and that tomorrow night
will see them near the insurgent camp.
In the meantime the indications are
that the fighting will not be as severe
as. it was Saturday and Sunday, for
General Otis dispatch of this morning
says: "Enemy's resistance not so Wig
orous to-day" This is attributed to
the fact that our forces are now in
more open country, where the methods
of guerrilla fighting are not so rapidly
executed.
In the meantime the report that the
enemy has destroyed the railway and
telegraph lines compels our engineers
practically to build a, railroad and tele-
graph line as our troops advance.
a high official of the War Department
summed up the situation as follows:
The troops are in excellent condi-
ton. Full supplies are on hand and
the supply trains are keeping abreast
Of the men. The enemy is losing heart
and falling back and tonight we will
be within seven miles Of the enemy's
capital"
There was some discussion in official
circles regarding the proclamation
which the Philippine Commission may
issue This action, it is said, is entirely
discretionary with the commission. 1t
may issue its proclamation after Gen
eral Otis reaches MalolOs, or it may de-
lay it until the time seems more Oppor-
tune. If, as reported in some quarters,
the Filipinos abandon Malolos as a cap
ital and go farther north, it is possible
that the proclamation may be with
held. 1t is intended that the proclame-
ton shall declare the purpose Of the
Government of the United States in the
island Of Luzon, and it may seem de-
sirabIe to establish fully the authority
of the United States over the island
before aDV Such stem is taken