The age-herald., 1899-02-09
Negotiations VIII be Left to Gen.
 eraI Otis. THE UNITED STATES TERMS Will be More Severe Than They
 Would Have Been BEFORE THE ATTACK WAS MADE The Philippine Chief Has Realized
 His Terrible Mistake. GEN. MILLER BEING REINFORCED The Tennessee Regiment Leaves Manila for IIoilo on the Transport St. Paul-Insurgents Massed for
 Night Attack Tuesday.
BEFORE THE ATTACK WAS MADE
The Philippine Chief Has Realized
 His Terrible Mistake.
GEN. MILLER BEING REINFORCED

Washington, February S.-There was an almost complete release today of the ten sion under which the rapid occurrence of events in the Philippines has held the off, cials of the administration since the first startling news from Manila Saturday night This was brought about through the receipt of a bulletin from General Otis summing up the latest results of the fighting he has had with the natives. The statement that Aguinaldo's influence had been destroyed and the Filipino leader was seeking for cessation of hostilities and for conference was most acceptable, and was interpreted as an admission that he had realized his terrible mistake. It is entirely improbable that he will be able to restore anything like the status quo or to obtain anything like the same terms as were possible last week.
 Otis Terms Not Known
 No one here now knows just what Otis in- tends to impose in the way of terms. Sec retary Alger this afternoon repeated his statement of yesterday that he had given the general no instructions since the battle and saw no reason for giving any. He realized, he said, that General Otis, being on the ground and having proved his fitness was in better position to deal with the situ- ation than any one In Washington. Should the general ask permission to do anything he would be grated permission immediately Should he ask for instructions on any point" said Secretary Alger, The will be told to exercise his own discretion"
 In this view of the case it will be seen that no one here can tell at present how General Otis will act toward Aguinaldos application. But the opinion is expressed by men here who know General Otis <x- perience with the Indians that he will make the laying down of arms the condition of dealing with the insurgents at all, and if that condition Is met of course 1t will mean a speedy termination of the rebellion.
 Dispatch From Seat of War
 The war department today received the following dispatch:
 Manila, February Estimation rap- idly improving. Reconnaissance yester- day to south several miles to Laguna de Bay, to southeast eight miles, driv- ing struggling nsurgent troops in vari- ous directions, encountering no decided opposition, army disintegrated and na- tives returning to villages displaying white. flags. Near Caloocan, six miles north, enemy made stand behind en- trenchments. charged by Kansas troops, led by Colonel Funston. Close encoun- ter, resulting in the rout of the enemy with heavy loss. Loss to Kansas, Lieu- tenant Afford killed, six men wounded
 "On the 4th Aguinaldo issued flying proclamation, charging Americans with initiative, and declared war; Sunday is- sued another, calling all to resist for eign invasion; his influence throughout this section destroyed; now applies for a cessation of hostilties and conference; have declined to answer Insurgents
 lott of ric cine in af " mic nf 4th unrealized. Provost marshal gen. eral, with admiral disposition of troops, defeated every attempt. City quiet, business resumed natives respect ful and cheerful; fighting qualities of American troops a revelation to all ln- habtants. (Signed) OTIS.
 Again Opened Fire
 Manila, February 9.-11 a. m.-The Fili- pinos at Caloocan opened fire last evening just before midnight midnight upon the Kansas outpoSts upon the extreme le1t or the American line.
 They maintained a fusiade of musketry supplemented by an occasional shot from two big guns for about twenty minutes. The Americans did not reply. The enemy fired at long range and nobody was hurt. All was quiet along the rest of the line and there was no change in the American position during the night.
 The First Wyoming infantry relieved the Twenty-third infantry at the water WorkS yesterday, the latter returning to provost guard in the city. which is gradually re- sumng its normal appearance.
 The Tennesseeans have just sailed for H. oilo on the transport St. Paul. Brigadier General Miller's forces now consist of Battery G, the Sixth and Eighteenth rgeu- lar infantry and a signal corps. with the Baltimore, Boston and Petrel
 Masscd fer Night Attack
 Manila, February S.-Noon.-Last evening as the Filipinos at Caloocan were evident ly massing for a night attack upon the American left wing, Companies E, c, and I. of the Twentieth Kansas infantry, were ordered to attack and drive in the sharp shooters from bamboo jungle in front of the firing line, where they had caused con- siderable annoyance all the afte,nocn. The battalion charged brilliantly, driving the enemy like chasf and penetrating to the very heart of Caloocan. First Lieutenant A. c. Afford, as cabled last night, was killed while leading his