Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-03-28

WASHINGTON. d. c. March 81
Tae third day Of the fighting north Of
Manila brought little OF a decisive char
ae,.g. from what War Department Off
cs could judge as TO what the outcome
a. Ms movement will be. In all official
quarters tho most intense interest pre-
vailed bat there was no excitement. and
loae ~ that anxiety and tension shown
during the memorable days Of last sum-
Nor. when the decisive blows were being
struck at Santiago Early IN the day
general Otis cabled the War Department
a brief but comprehensive dispatch. sum-
ming up the situation.
SEVERE FIGHTING.
IL disclosed that severe fighting was go-
ius on to-day with our forces advanced
as far north as Marlao. while the insur-
gents. under the command of Aguinaldo,
were being driven back. with considera-
lle slaughter This and the press dis
patches satisfied the officials that the
strategic movement Of entrapping the in
surgents between our lines had not proved
as successful as designed and that the
scene is now shifted 10 a retreat by Agui-
naldo's forces and pursuit by our
troops.
INSURGENT RETREAT SLOW.
The insureent retreat toward Malolos
was slow and dogeed and advantage was
taken Of one after another of lines OF in
trenchments. the burning of bridges. and
the interruption of communications. Cen
oral Otis's dispatch. although received
early to-day, was sent Monday evening.
Manila time. and summed up the work Of
three days. That the fighting would pro-
ceed into the fourth day was shown by
his closing sentence: "The column will
press on in the morning" This refers 10
Tuesday.
A LONG CHASE.
The engagement has now shaped itself
% that it is looked upon as more of a
chase than the execution Of a strategic
movement. With the American base ad-
vanced to Marilao, and the insurgent base
forced back TO Malolos. the main bodies
Of the two opposing forces are about ten
or twelve miles apart. This could be
quickly covered in a forced march, under
fair conditions, but IL is twelve miles OF
innumerable dlihculties and obstacles
which our troops must cover before tney
reach the insurgent stronghold. 1t is eX-
pected that the engineers are hastily re-
rairing the burned bridges. This will per-
Init artillery 10 be taken forward as well
as the infantry columns.
EVERY MILE TO BE CONTESTED.
in is said that every mile of the dis
fance 10 MalolOs will be contested by the
Insurgents. for General Otis reported that
it is a stretch Of country covered with
iutrenchments thrown up within the last
three months our men, therefore, must
advance slowly. repairing the roads as
they go and at the same time they must
fight their way through wcll-made rebel
intrauchments. Serious as the work IS,
tlsre is no lack of confidence among OF
i-ials as 10 the satisfactory outcome OF
the campaign.
sialoios is the insurgent headquarters
aad the insurgent government IS in ope-
ration there. 1t represents more 10 the
Insurgents than any other place and no
doubt Is entertained that they Will make
Ii desperate stand there.
AWAY FROM DEWEYs GUNS.
The tactics Of Aeuinaldo are taking
linn gradually beyond the range of Admi-
ral Dewey's guns While the insurgents
"A
within a mile of the water front. and
easUv within range of the feet but as
they have moved tnOrthwestcrly they
have gradually moved away from the
hay. Malolos IS about seven miles back
from the bay. although there are shallow
estuaues which would enable light
dsaught boats 60 get within mile or
Two.
POLO FALLS INTO OUR HANDS.
MANILA. March N.-u :55 \. M.-The
Americans this morning found the impoI-
tant town Of Polo and number OF smdIi
VILLAGES west Of the railroad deserted ara
burning. They are advancing along the
Tnrost. To-day the Washington Nolun-
t..-s who held Pasg yesterday had an
caagement with a band Of Insurgents
WHO Grove I'm their outposts. In the hght
ha pinos lost several men.
OK TO MAIOLOS!
t5 p. M-General MacArthur's DiVi-
Ho1 spent the night and morning at MeE-
oanyan Ole next station beyond Polo. Al,
Ter ie.ouotering his front he pusned
along t.e railroad track toward MaloloS'
j. the statement OF the thirty-hVe prison
trs captured today Is true, the nam DVuy
of ttc enemy has retreated 10 MalolOs'
But there are no more trenches 20 en-
counter although over thirty villages IN
clu.mg The larger settlements OF buia-
can and Gudguinto intervene.
FILIPINO PRONUNCIAMENTO
Az every railroad station circulars have
been posted. signed by the Filipino COM
mander-in-chicf Antonio Luna. ordering
an spies and bearers OF news TO the
enemy 20 be shot without trial. and in
sifuctinc that all lOotcTs be treated IN the
same manner. Further oll towns aban-
doncd by thc Filipino troops are first to
be bArned.
While deplorng the existence Of war
the circular maintains the undeniable
rght Of the Fllpinos 10 defend their
homes, lives and lands against ''would-be
COninatOrs. who would KIN them. their
wives. and children" adding that this
motive ought 10 impel al Illipinos 10
sacrifice everything.
PARANAQCE HALF-DEsTROYED.
The shelling Of Paranaque was not pre-
moditated. The turrct-ship Monadnock
anchored or the t0an. ana tie insurgents.
on0oldened by the loils silence OF the
Warshlps on guard duty. opened fire on
her with muskcts. with the result that
one man was killed and three Were
wounded. The Monadnock then destroy
20 half the town, including the church.
The Washington regiment had an ex-
citing experience and displayed much gal
'antry. The soldiers found u band OF