The record-union., 1899-03-27
CABLEGRAMs FROM OTIS.
Says Affairs Are Satisfactory and
Our Loss Moderate.


Says Affairs Are Satisfactory and
Our Loss Moderate.
WASHINGTON, March 26.-Advices
from General Otis were watched with
the keenest interest by War Depart
ment officials to-day, and Assistant
Secretary Meiklejohn who, in the alb
sence of Secretary Alger is Acting Sec
retary of War, remained in his office
throughout the day in order to keep in
close touch with the progress of the
fighting. Many army officers and other
officials were also at the department,
and the President was kept advised as
to the developments as indicated in
General Otis dispatches. Early this
morning the first message from Gen
eral Ctis was received and was soon
followed by others whose contents gave
the officials here their first general idea
of the operations Of the last two days.
The list of killed and wounded which
General Otis had promised, was await
ed anxiously by the department anc the
friends and relatives here of the off,
GERS and men in the Philippines, but it
was late in the afternoon before it was
received. Much regret was expressed
at the death Of Colonel Egbert, the
only regular officer among the killed.
He was among those who distinguished
themselves at Santiago being wounded
at San Juan and breveted for his con-
spicuous gallantry in that engagement.
General Otis dispatches received at
10 O'Clock tonight recording MacAr-
thurs advance to New Canayan, mark
ed direct and important step by the
American troops. in the opinion of Act
ing Secretary Meiklejohn and Adjutant
General Corbin. Both expressed their
satisfaction at what had been accom-
plished. The former dispatch regarding
this branch of the operations had not
been SO promising, inasmuch as they
had stated that General Macarthur, al
though he had driven the enemy, could
not gain a. point north of Polo on ac-
count Of the roughness of the country.
With easy railroad communication to
the advanced point, the difficulty in
forwarding commissary supplies will be
considerably lessenedA Every step for
ward is regarded as SO much ground
gained and an approach nearer the in
surgents' headquarters at Malolos-now
stated to be but fifteen miles from the
vanguard Of the American army. The
tenacity Of the Fflipinos in the past
few days fighting has somewhat sur
prised the war officials here, who did
not think them capable of putting up
and maintaining the contest they have
The Associated Press bulletin dated at
9:15 the morning of the 9th was the
first news of Mondays fighting received
by the War Department officials, Gen.
eral Otis dispatches up to that time
having been confined to the previous
days operations. The fact that the in
surgentS have been forced to retire
from Malabon so early in the day was
regarded as very encouraging and Act
ing Secretary Meiklejohn remarked
That is good; very favorable, in
deed"
Secretary Long said tonight that
nothing had come from Admiral Dewey
during the day respecting the Ameri-
can operations at Manila.
Word is hourly expected at the War
Department of the arrival of the trans
port Sheridan at Manila with 1900 RE
Inducements for General Otis. This
will be a formidable addition to his
fighting strength. They include one
full regiment and headquarters and one
battalion Of another, and if the ex-
perience Of those taken aboard the
Grant and Sherman is repeated they
will be In lighting trim as soon as they
land and ready to be pushed immedi-
ately to the front. Six regiments of
infantry and artillery, comprising ap-
proximately 5000 men, one regiment of
which sailed from. San Francisco yes
terdey, are under orders for Manila
Their movement will be pushed as rap
idly as possible with a view to the re-
inforcement of General Otis at the ear
Hest day practicable.
WASHINGTON, March 26-The fol-
lowing cablegrams from General Otis
We're received by the War Department
this morning:
Manila, March 26th.
Adjutant General, Washington: At
tacks ON Hall and pumping station last
night easily repulsed. Macarthur with
moving column has driven enemy, but
cannot gain point north Of Polo on ac-
count of roughness of country; must
strike railway south of that point; this
will enable most of Aguinaldo's troops
to escape north, still he may oppose, as
best of his army, consisting of released
prisoners of war, former native Span
ish troops, concentrated there; this
northern army will be pressed south
of city; 5000 insurgent troops from
Southern Luzon provinces have concen.
trated. Lawton will take care of them.
Affairs satisfactory. OTIS.
Manila, March 26th
Adjutant General, Washington: En-
tire casualties yesterday: One officer,
25 enlisted men killed; 8 officers 142
men wounded. officer killed, Captain
Stewart, First Colorado. List cabled
Immediately. To-day's fighting south
and around Polo determined. MacAr-
thur, with three brigades united, hav-
ing artillery, cavalry, engaging enemy
Colonel Egbert, Twenty second Infan-
try, killed. Our loss thus far moderate;
enemy's heavy. Army gunboats on
coast and in estuaries west and north
of Polo very efficient; troops in excel
lent condition and spirits. OTIS.
MACARTHUR ADVANCING.