Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1899-05-04

facility with which he had fortified him
self in every new position. As soon as the
dispatch from Otis was translated it was
forwarded to the President at Philadel-
phia and he Immediately sent congratu-
latory message by cable to Manila.
The action Of Gen. Otis in refusing to
recognize the sc-called Filipino congress is
approved by the officials, who say his in
structions specifically cover this point, as
q recognition of the insurgent government
would be a confession of belligerency,
which would be taken advantage of at
once by other nations, who wouh then
give their official recognition. The action
Of Gen. Otis, however, does not at all
mean that the insurgents are to be treated
harshly. On the contrary, advices were
received from the Philippine commission
which show desire to exhibit the great
est leniency. Gen. Otis will treat as a
military commander with the chief of an
armed instruction.
The Filipnos have already been told
that military form Of government is the
only one possible under the constitution
of the United States until Congress acts,
but assurances will be given that coupled
with this military regime will be estab-
lished local governments In every town
and province. as is now the case in Cuba
and Porto Rico.
Story of the Revolt
The revolt against the Americans be-
gan on Saturday night, Feb. 4. For sew
eral months the E'ilipinos, through the
efforts Of ambitions leaders, had been at
daggers points with the Americans and
Gen. Otis had posted his forces in such
positions as would best keep the Fill
pinos in check. Open hostiities broke out
at $50 o'clock that Saturday night. The
fighting was precipitated by the Filipinos,
a number of whom tried to force their
way through the lines of the Nebraska
volunteers. Several of them were shot
and killed, and when those who escaped
returned to their lines the Filipinos be-
gan firing upon the outposts all around the
city. The Americans successfully repealed
the attack, and in the next few days drove
the insurgents from FIVE to fifteen miles
from the city. Enormous losses were in
| ficted upon the insurgents. For nearly a
month the opposing armies had number
OF skirmishes, the Anne ricans contenting
themselves with holding their positions
while awaiting re-enforcrments.
On the arrival of fresh troops Gen. Otis
began an aggressive campaign. His first
move was to sesd Gen, Wheaton with a
| flying column whose object was to cut the
Filipino army in two. This was success
fully accomplished, Wheaton and his men
CALAMITY fighting their way across the ISL
and to the shores of Lag0na de Bay. The
next move was to send n division under
command Of Gen. Macarthur against the
main rebel force at Polo. After several
days hard fighting with severe losses on
both sides, the rebels were routed, but a
maneuver to catch them in reverse failed
because of exceedingly bad roads. Gen.
Macarthur then pursued the rebels to
the northward, driving them from town
to town until Malolos, the Filipino capital,
was reached. Here the Americans expect
ed the insurgents would fight the decisive
battle OF the war. When preparations
were complete for the attack, the Ameri-
cans advanced on the city, but the enemy
evacuated the place after a brief resist
ance and retired to Calumpit.
After q rest of over q week, during
which time Gen. Lawton started out from
Manila with flying column through the
interior to join forces with Gen. MacAr-
thur, the Americans advanced on Calum-
pit, where the Filipinos had strongly in
trenched themselves in natural strategic
positions. 1t took three days fighting
for the Americans to dislodge them. This
last defeat evidently took the heart out Of
the Filipinos, and the negotiations for
neace resulted