The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-02-10
A s/CAmPAIGN
To be Carried on Against the Philip
p~inOs-IlOilo to be Occupied-Agui-
noIdo,s Forces to be Brought to Entire
Submission

Washington, February 7.-There was
little abatement of interest in the STIR
ring events at Manila exhibited today
at the war department. The frs feel
ing of anxiety for the safety of the
American forces had given away en-
tirely, save in the case of the personal
friends and acquaintance of soldiers
supposed to be injured, and there was
displayed, instead, the greatest inter-
est in the extent of the loss inflicted
upon the insurgent forces by the
American soldiers and sailors. Officers
at the war department who know Cen
eral Otis well, declared, when the an
nouncement came Of the killing, cap
ture or wounding of 1000 men, that he
had undoubtedly underestimated the
damage inflicted by him, as was his
wont, instead of magnifying it in the
Spanish fashion.
The news of the day from abroad
was found in the casualty list sent by
General Otis and in the concise and
excellent description by him of the re-
suits of the engagement of Saturday
night and Sunday. The officials a
that nothing more a be expected
from him on this point until he has
had an opportunity to forward a mail
report, giving in detail all the history
of the fighting.
Naturally, there was a great deal Of
speculation as to the future conduct Of
affairs by General Otis, but to some
extent this must remain speculation,
inasmuch as Secretary Alger had said
that the general is to be left to use
his own discretion. To assist him to
$4,000 IorcAoy1; Of tho 6in1o-
matte situat ion he has been cabled the
full text of the peace treaty ratified
yesterday.
TO CAPTURE ILOILO.
A forward movement is probable at
Iloilo, where General Miller has been
for weeks lying in front Of the town
in his transports. He has never had
any doubt of his ability to take the
place whenever he got the word, but
there has been a restraining
from Washington, based in part on
the hope that the insurgents could be
brought to a peaceful retirement from
the town, and an apprehension thai
an effort to force a landing might re-
suit in serious injury to foreign in
terests. Now, however, it is felt that
the latter are perhaps more in jeopardy
from a continuance of the existing
state Of affairs han they would be
through a rapid seizure Of the town.
General Miller now a with him the
Eighteenth infantry and a battery of
artillery and it is likely that he will
be strongly reinforced before the at
tempt is made to take Iloilo.
Naval officers have watched with
pride the achievements Of the naval
vessels during the recent fighting and
they were gratified when Secretary
Long this afternoon sent the follow
ing cablegram:
dewey, Manila:
CONGRATULATIONS.
TO BE A VIGOROUS CAMPAIGN.
1t is understood that the campaign
against the Philippine insurgents Is TO
be prosecuted with vigor. The cues
ton was fully discussed at today's
cabinet meeting and the conclusion was
reached that before permanent peace
or security to life and property could
be secured Aguinaldo's forces must
be made to lay down their arms, and
it is expected that General Otis, IN CO.
operation with Admiral Dewey, will
push forward at once n give the in
surgents no chance to recover from the
defeat of last Sunday. So far as can
he learned, no positive Instructions
have yet been cabled to u command
ers at Manila. but it is the expectation
of members of the administration,
presumably based on cable advices
from Manila, that this course will be
pursued.
Iloilo is to be occupied by the Amer
lear naval forces, and it is expected
that General Otis will move immedi-
ately on Malolas, the insurgent CAPT.
tai, and capture OF dispense the So
called Philippine government. The
more closely the insurgents are press
ed and the more vigorous and deter
mined the campaign, it is said, the
sooner may we expect peace.