The age-herald., 1899-03-28
Final Outcome is StiII in Much
 Doubt, GEN. OTIS BUYS GUNBOATS All Spanish $,t in Philippine
 Wat@ey urchased. SEVERE SPYING IS GOING oH Engages Tit Has Now Changed Itself
 Into a Chase.
THE ADVANCE MUST BE SLOW
Owing to Fact That Bridges Must Be Repaired Before Artillery Can Be Moved-The Battle One
 Long-Drawn Out.

Washington, March 27.-The third day of the fighting north of Manila brought little Of a decisive character of which war de- partment officials could judge what the final outcome of this movement would be. In all of the quarters the most intense in- terest prevailed, but there was no excite- ment and none of that anxiety and tension shown during the memorable days of last summer until the decisive blows were be- ing struck at Santiago.
 Early In the day General Otis cabled the war department a brief but comprehensive dispatch summing up the situation. It dis closed that severe fighting was going on to- day with our forces advanced as far north as Mariloa while the insurgents under the command of Aguinaldo were being driven back with considerable slaughter. This and the press dispatches satisfied the of- hcials that the strate gic movement of en- trapping the insurgents within our lines had not proved very successful The insur- gent retreat toward Malolos was slow and logged and advantage was taken of one after another of lines of entrenchments; but the burning of bridges and the inter- rupting of communications. General Otis dispatch, although received early today, was sent Monday evening, Manila time, and summed up the work of the three days. That the fighting would proceed into the fourth day was shown by his closing sen- tence: 'The column will press on in tho morning"
 This refers to Tuesday.
 Developed Into a Chase
 The engagement has now shaped itself so that it is looked upon as more of 0 chase than the execution of a strategic movement With the American base ad- vanced to Mariloa 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 forced march under fair con- ditions, but it is twelve miles of innumer- able difficulties and obstacles which troops must cover before they reach the insurgent stronghold. It is expected that the engineers with Macarthur are hastily repairing the burned bridges. This will permit the artillery to be taken forward, as well as the infantry columns. It is ex- pected that every mile of the distance to Maloos will be contested by the insurgents, for General Otis reports that it is stretch of country covered with entrenchments thrown up during 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 on through well-made rebel entrenchments. Serious as the work is, there is no lack of confidence among officials here as to tho satisfactory outcome of the campa 'gn. Ma lolos is the insurgent capital, where the assembly has been sitting and the insur- gent government has been in operation. It represents more to the insurgents than any other place in the Philippines, and lit tie doubt is entertained that they will mako a desperate stand there.
 The tactics of Aguinaldo are taking him gradually beyond the range of Admiral Deweys guns. While the insurgents were at Malabon on Saturday they were within a mile of the water front and easily within range of the fleet. But as they have moved northward they have gradually moved away from the bay Malolos is about seven miles back from the bay, although there are shallow estuaries which would permit the light draught boats to get within mile or two.
 The Rattle Long One
 The duration of the battle is beginning to attract the attention of army strate- gists as 1t is a very important element in determining the strength of the men, the supplies of ammunition, the stores, and the spirits of the army. The first blow was struck before daybreak last Saturday and the fighting continued all that day, again on Sunday and now on Monday. The reports show~little night fighting except eA repulsing an insurgent attack Saturday night. With today the fighting had lasted seventy-two hours.
 Judged by the standards of great battles. such as Waterloo. Plevena and others mentioned by army authorities, this is a long and intensely arduous engagement.
 While the casualty list Is a source of profound regret in army quarters, 1t is said to be comparatively low considering the number of men engaged and the dura- tion of the action. This is accounted for by the long range shooting of the insurgents who do not shoot at a mark but in the general direction of our lines. While these stray bullets do considerable havoc in our lines, 1t is far less than the results of close range volleys from solid rank of in- surgents in the open or from considera- ble number of silarpshooters
 Otis ibtys Gun Boats
 Washington, March 27.-The following cablegram was received at the war depart ment on March l9, and has just been made public:
 Manila, March 19.-Adjutant General Washington: Have purchased all gunboats in Philippines of Spain--thrteen in number, now at Zamboaga. Half are in serviceable condition. Payment in cash from publfd fG.is u2on ic'.vcry q: -,anLa. Iney will be sent for this week.
 (Signed) OTIS.