The Topeka state journal., 1899-09-28
Active Hostilities Are Begun in
the Philippines
Macarthur, Wheeler and Whea-
ton Lead an Advance
AGAINST THE ENEMY
Who Is In an Entrenched Posi-
tfOn at POracs
Firing Began This Morning
Near Angeles.

Manila. Sept. 2s-1O:10 a. ma
movement against Porac. about eight
miles from Bacalor in Pampanga
province. began at daybreak this morn
ing and is conducted personally by Gen
Macarthur. Gen. Wheeler with the
Ninth regiment and a battery is ad-
vancing by two roads while Gen. Whea-
ton, commanding the Twelfth and
Seventeenth regiments. is moving to
block the insurgents from retreating to
the north The Thirty-sixth regiment
accompanies Gen. Macarthur.
Firing has begun near Angeles.
Two Filipino majors came to the
American lines last night with mes
sages regarding the American prisoners
who were to arrive this morning. They
also requested permission for Gen.
AIejandrino, one colonel and two lieu
tenant colonels to visit Gen. Otis. They
were refused entrance to the American
lines until noon Friday on account of
today's fight and Gen. Alejandrino
alone viii be allowed to visit Gen
Otis.
The insurgents recently entrenched
and garrisoned the town of Paeto, on
Laguna de Bay. in the province of
Laguna- Subsequently Capt. Larsen,
commanding the gunboat Napidan,
landed for a conference with the citi-
zens. As he was proceeding up the
main street of the town with a squad
he was received with a volley from
a hidden trench. The party retreated
TO their boat under cover of the build
ings and regained their vessel The
Napidan then bombarded the trench
for an hour, completely destroying it.
PRELIMINARY TO MAIN CAMPAIGN
New York, Sept. 28-A Herald special
OF Generals Macarthur, Wheaton and
Wheeler on Porac, as reported by cable
from Manila, is what the war depart
neut has been anticipating for the last
fortnight. The general plans of this
movement are known to the officials
but they have refused to give out dis
patches on this subject for fear the
enemy would profit by the information
The rainy weather has delayed the
movement.
1t is known to the war department
that a considerable force of the enemy
is in the vicinity of Porac, and the
general idea, it is believed, is to break
UP the defence which the insurgents
have prepared during the rainy season
in order that their forces may be weak
ened when the time comes for a more
extensive campaign Gen Otis purpose
as understood at the department. is to
make short military detours whenever
the weather permits, but it is not ex-
pected that there will be a general ad-
vance all along the line before some
time in November.
Porae is situated IA miles from
Bacalor and has a population of $500.
PORAC CAPTURED.
Manila, Sept 2S.-3:50 D. m.-GeneraI
Macarthur entered Porac after half an
hours fighting. The American loss was
slight and the insurgent loss is not
known. The enemy fled nOrthward.
When the Americans entered the town
they found it practically deserted.
The attacking party moved on POrac
in TWO columns The Ninth infantry
with two guns from Santa Rita, was
commanded by Gen. Wheeler and the
Thirty-siXth infantry under Col Bell
with one gun, accompanied Gen. Mac
Arthur from San Antonio.
Both columns struck the town at 9
o'clock and opened a brisk fire. which
was replied to by the enemy for half an
hour Then the insurgents fed and the
Americans marched over their trenches
and took possession of the place.
Just before the fight Smiths COM
mand, at Angeles made a demOnstra-
tion by firing artillery up the railroad
track.
Liscum reported one casualty and
Bell reported four men of his regiment
wounded The artillery did not have
any men injured
FIVE AMERICANS KILLED.
Manila. Sept. 2S.-6:05 p. m.-Today's
movement was strategical success
and resulted in the possession of Porac
and the clearing of several miles of
country thereabOut. Two columns. one
4EDkn SaAlla ILAL1 anu the OL0eT
San Antonio united before POrac, ac-
cording to program, stretching around
the place for some miles. The insur-
gents are estimated to have numbered
600 men, Ten dead Filipinos We're found
and the captain and commissary of
Mascarne's command were taken pris-
oners- The American loss is five killed
but there were many prostrations from
the heat.
The Englishmen from the insurgent
lines report that the Filipinos at Bam-
ban have Z 600 new Japanese rifles.