The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-05-06
OCCUPATION OF
San FERNANDO
Accomplished Without Loss to the Amer
iCln Forces.
EVACUATED BY THE REBELS
Peace Negotiations Will be Hurried to
Conclusion.
EVACUATED BY THE REBELS
CHIEF AND ONE HUNDRED MEN
Were Captured at Balinag by Scouts
Insurgents are Sending Their Wo-
men and Children to the Noun
tains for Safety.

La1nS 1or SAFETY.
Manila, May 5.-Major General MacAr-
thurs division advanced to San Fernando
today and found that the place had been
evacuated by the rebels, who left only
small detachment to cover their retreat by
train.
General Macarthur occupied the burning
town without loss.
The rebels south of Manila attempted to
rush through Brigadier General Over
shines line last night. The attempt failed,
but the rebels maintained a fusilade of
musketry ON the Fourth infantry regiment
for several hours.
The demonstration was ineffectual be-
yond soaring the inhabitants of Malate.
The outposts of the Southern California
regiments beyond San Pedro Macati We're
also attacked during the night.
Major General Lawton is still quartered
at Balinag.
Lawton's Expedition
Detailed reports of the work of Major
General Lawtons expedition show that
harder fighting took place during the cary
part of this week that earlier accounts
indicated. In the attack upon San Rafael
. the American forces were met with
heavy fire from a large number of rebels,
who were concealed in the jungle on all
sides. 1t was only the adoption of the tao
tics followed in Indian fighting in the
United States, every man for himself, that
saved the division from great loss. Gen.
eral Lawton, as usual was at the head OF
his line with his staff. Scotts battery de-
molished a stone fronted trench at Snort
range. The insurgent leaders, Gregorio
and Pho Del Pillar, who had 800 men in
Balinag, retreated when General Lawton
approached the town.
Chief of Scouts 1oung, with eleven men,
entered Balinag ahead of the army and
rang the church bells to announce that they
had possession OF the city
General Lawton, when attacking in force
outside of Bafnag, saw women and children
in the rebel trenches, and sent Captain
Case in advance with white flag to warn
the insurgents to remove the non-combat-
ants. When within 500 yards of the trenches
two volleys were fired at Captain Cases
party.
The Chief of Scouts
Chief of Scouts Young whose bravery
at Balinag was most notable, served as
Indian scout under Major General o. o.
Howard In his campaign in the northwest
in 1876. The work of Youngs scouts was
a feature of the expedition. On Wednes-
day twenty-three of them encountered
body of 800 Filpinos beyond Balinag and
drove them until of the 100 rounds of am
munition which the scouts carried they had
only fifteen rounds Lex. They were about
TO retire when Lieutenant Boyd, with
troop of the Fourth cavalry came up and
chased the enemy into San Miguel.
There are 1900 Spanish prisoners In the
hands of the Filipinos at San Miguel They
are served with cents worth of rice daily
and are compelled to work hand on the
rebel defences. Several hundred of the
Filipino SSunded are at San Miguel.
The insurgents are sending their women
and children to the Biananoabatto mount
aims.
at Balinag. General Lawton has released
many of his prisoners.
Hurrying Peace Negotiations
Washington, May 5.-The state depart
ment today received a dispatch from Pres
ident Schurman of the Philippine commits
sion giving the substance of the confer
ences with the representatives of Aguinal-
do and asking for further instructions.
While the text of the dispatch is not to be
made public, Secretary Hay stated that it
showed very satisfactory condition of af-
fairs In the Philippines, and pointed to
settlement of the difficulty there. The re-
ply of the president to Mr.. Schurmans
cablegram, 1t is understood, stated that lie
was very anxious to have the peace nego-
tations concluded at the earliest possible
moment and to this end he desired that no
unnecessary or humiliating conditions
should be imposed on the insurgents. 1t is
believed that as soon as Aguinaldo is con-
vinced of the sincerity of the American
government he will agree to surrender.
He will be required, however, to lay down
his arms This will be the principal con-
dtion and until an agreement on this point
is reached the negotiations will not make
any progress towrad a conclusion.
The war department has received the fol-
lowing: