The record-union., 1899-03-30
The President Discusses the Sub
jeGt With His Advisers.
Well Pleased With Progress General Otis
and His Army Has Made.
Expectation at Washington That
General MacArthur Will Reach
the Filipino Capital Tonight,
When Decisive Developments
Are Looked For.


WASHINGTON, March 29.-Tha.
President to-day discussed with his ad-
visers and callers the situation in the
Philippines. Assistant Secretary Of War
Mciklejohn and Adjutant General Cor
bin, who have kept close track of the
progress of the American navy and
the condition of the troops, We're with
him for some time. With him they
went over the situation and he ex-
pressed his pleasure at the good pro-
gress General Otis and his Generals
had made, though he regretted thelo
of life.
The dispatch of General Otis, re-
ceived early this morning, was not sup
plemented by any later news. The opin-
ion was given at the War Department.
that General Otis had ample force
under his command, and that when the
regulars now on their way to Manila
reached their destination there would
be little need of retaining the volun-
teers in service there.
No demand for muster out will hold
good until the formal ratification of the
peace treaty occurs, and when this Will
be done is not known. The French
| Embassador, who is acting for Spain,
has no information on the subject and
does not know when the treaty will
be received here.
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 Cen
eraI Otis reaches Malolos, or it may
delay it until the time seems more OPP
perfume. If, as reported in some quar-
ters, the Filipinos abandon Malolos as
a Capital and go farther north, it is
possible that the proclamation may be
withheld. 1t is intended that the proc
lamation shall declare the purpose of
the Government. of the United States in
the Island of Luzon and it may seem
desirable to establish fully the au-
! thority of the United States over the
island before any such step is taken.
When General Otis reported to the
War Department early to-day that at
6 O'Clock this morning the American
troops under General Macarthur again
took up their advance there was re-
newed expectation of fighting and de-
dispatch covered much ground, not ouly
in showing the position Of our forces,
but also the extent of the advance con-
templated for the day. The halt and
rest of yesterday gave a new aspect to
the advance, for instead of a long-con-
tinued fight with jaded troops and ex-
hausted supplies. General Macarthur
began practically a new advance to-
do Will, on rafrochad well
supplied.
Major Simpson, who Isl 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 adj
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 pueblas.
There is, however, a constant success
sion of haciendas and plantations,
showing that the road lies through a
rather fertile country.
There are two obstacles lying along
the route first, the Marilao River. and
further on, the Bulacan. The bridge
over the Marilao River has been burned,
but all reports indicate that the engi-
neers have succeeded in repairing it.
Bgaa is just beyond the Bulacan River.
so that General Otis report that Mac
Arthur'S advance will continue to-
Bigaa.'' was construed at the War De-
partment to mean that the two rivers
would be passed before to-day's adj
vance closed. Being seven miles from
Malolos, our forces cam either cover the
distance tomorrow or else turn south
ward and reduce the large city of Bull
acan, on the left The expectation here
is that they will keep on to Malolos.
and that tomorrow night will see them
near the instrgent camp.
In the meantime, the indications are
that the fighting viii not be as severe
as it was Saturday and Sunday, for
General Otis dispatch of this morning
says: "Eneny's resistance not so Wig
orous to-day"
This is attributed to the fact that
our forces are now in a more open coun-
try. where the methods of guerrilla
fighting are not so rapidly executed.
General Corbin does not credit the
report that the insurgents have aban-
doned their Capital, and have moved
back to San Fernando. He bases this
conclusion on the fact that General
Otis has reported no such movement,
and he doubtless would be quick to re-
port any move of such vital Importance.
His reports thus far are considered very
comprehensive and intelligent.
The Navy Department had no con-
firmation to-day of the press dispatches
reporting the shelling of Malabon by
the Monadnock on Sunday and of Las
Pinas. to the south of Manila, on yes
terday. Neither has it confirmation of
the report of the firing upon and killing
Of a sailor and the wounding of three
others on the Monadnock, nor of the
landing of marines at Malabon.
Admiral Dewey cabled the Depart
ment to-day about some routine mat
ters relative to supplies for the ma
rines, saying he could secure every
thing save cooking stoves, but he made
no mention Of the matters reported III
the press dispatches. Neither did his
cables touch upon anything relative to
the f1ghting situation at Manila and the