Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-04-17
LAWTON COMES BACK
His Expedition Has Reached Ma.
Mia from the Santa Cruz
District.
GENERAL OTIS ON THE SITUATION.
Says in Effect That He Has the Filipino
Army Destroyed and Only Some Robber
Bands to Run Down-Expects That To
Take a Long Time-Two Views of the
Feeling of the voIunteers-Bandits Civ
ing Much Trouble in Cuba.

Manila, April 17.-During the alb
sence of Major General Lawton's expe-
dition to the Santa Cruz district on the
southeastern side of Laguna de Bay the
insurgents have been concentrating at
the northern end of the lake. near Pasig,
and the American scouts report that
several thousand are already there.
Major General Lawton's expedition to
the Laguna de Bay district re-embarked
last evening, anchored for the night at
the head Of the river Pasig and reached
Manila this morning. bringing all the
men and the captured inSurgent boats.
Its objects-namely. the capture of the
insurgents boats and the distribution
of the proclamation, emphasized by
lesson of American power throughout
the lake region - have been attained.
General Lawton Immediately began
preparations for an important expedi-
ton on land There has been no fight
ing on the lake for three days.
Creelman Quotes Gen. Otis.
New York, April 17.-Special Corre-
spondent Creelman at Manila cables the
following to this city under date of Ma
Mia, April Is: General Otis regards the
situation here cheerfully, and feels that
with the work already done and that
which he expects certainly to accom-
plish. the rebels will eventually be sub
dued forever. He said today: THE in
surgents are moving eastward, and will
soon be in the mountains. There they
will become merely bands of robbers
and will fight among themselves. They
have no united army anywhere, yet they
will be troublesome. and we need a
strong force to deal with the robber
groups.
Rainy Season VIII Not Stop Him.
I'VE shall not stop our operations be-
cause of the rainy season. The rebels
are counting upon a cessation of hostili-
ties on our part. but we intend to keep
right on. We shall wedge the army be-
tween them and the north. as well as
cutting the island in two here by our
forces 1 appreciate the fact 1 am being
criticised, but 1 do not care what the
newspapers say of me. ! am working
eighteen hours out of every twenty
four. and every officer and soldier is
doing mis- duty.
Soldiers Don't Want to Come Home.
so long we keep the volunteer
forces fighting they are content to re-
main here. They enjoy the situation
while there is action. The problem the |
government is now facing is that Of
destroying the powerful bands of rob- |
bers that are scattered in all directions.
we nave smashed the inSurgent govern
ment. but believe that it will be a long |
time before we pacify the whole of Lu- |
zon." General Otis said that he could |
not discuss his plans in detail, but it is |
known that a large force will soon go |
by sea and disembark north of Aguin- |
aldo's forces. Then Aguinaldo will be |
between the two lines and will find him
self in a most unpleasant and dangerous |
position.
Volunteers Decline to Re-Enlist.
Washington. April 1.-THE desire of |
the volunteers to return to this country
is evidenced in a report which shows
that of those who have been offered op-
to re-enlist, with the offer of |
a bonus in travel pay of over $500. only
about per cent will accept. The vol
unteers, it is stated. desire to come
home by organizations instead of in
Some discharges of indi-
vidual soldiers have been brought about
by congressional pressure, but as rule
General Otis has been disapproving all l.
applications for discharges except in the
case of sick or wounded and disabled |
soldiers.