The record-union., 1899-05-05

WASHINGTON, May 4.-The War
Department is satisfied from the dis
patches received from General Otis to-
day that the American commander has
put aside the insurgent temporizing
Npver peace and has turned his atten-
ton to most aggressive tactics. The
wisdom of this course was fully APP
proved by officials here, who have
foreseen that the natives needed fur
Their chastisement in order to bring
them to a realizing sense of their po-
sition.
The early dispatches from General
Otis clearly defined the general plan
of his latest movement He is moving
in two main columns, General Mac
Arthur pushing straight forward over
d nine mile stretch of country between
Calumpit and the rebel stronghold, san
Fernando and General Lawton direct
ing strong force under Colonel sum-
mer to prevent the insurgents from
retreating from San Fernando into the
mountains to the north. The later dis
patches showed that there has been
hot work in the execution of this
movement, particularly in General
Macarthur advance on San Fernando
The defeat of Luna at San Tomas and
the scattering of the insurgent forces
leaves Macarthur four miles from San
Fernando, with a clear road before
him. He will take the city tomorrow
according to General Otis plans.
The taking of towns is no longer
looked upon by the authorities of chief
moment, the main consideration being
to intercept the insurgents.
General Lawton's move northward
to-day to Maasan is designed to keep
a body of American troops to the north
of the rebels, and between them and
their line of retreat to the mountains.
A successful execution of this move
will leave the insurgents well surround
ed to the north. though there is a
stretch of about seven miles from
Maasan to the Rio Grande River along
which the rebels are retiring. If the
rebels do succeed in getting into the
mountains, War Department officials
believe they cannot continue organized
resistance, as the mountain localities
afford much less opportunity for sus-
tenance than the rice lands along the
foothills and bottoms.
fed with the manner in which our
forces are placed.
DARING CHARGE OF WHEATON'S
FORCES
MANILA, May $50 p. m.-Major
General Macarthur has carried San
Tomas after encountering strong re-
sistance. Brigadier General Hale
moved on the right and Brigadier Cen
eral Wheaton attacked the left in a
daring charge, in which Colonel Fun
ston again distinguished himself. The
Kansan was wounded in the hand, and
several ether officers and enlisted men
We're also wounded.
Colonel Summers, with a part of the
Oregon and Minnesota regiments and
the gun of the Utahs, took Moasim on
the right, resting four miles from San
Fernando. The Filipinos are retreat
ing toward San Isidro. and it is ex-
pected that they will make stand at
Arayat, at which place the whole of
the rebel forces in tbs province of Pan
Panga IS congregating.
1t is reported that impressed with
recent events, the Filipinos are waver
ing in their allegiance to the insurrec-
ton. and are likely to assume a neutral
attitude. 1t seems as though General
Antonio Luna's forces are destined to
destruction within a few days. unless
they surrender or scatter
The American army has been skill
fully posted at points of immense
strategic advantage. The insurgents
expected them to advance on Balinag
By way of Quingua, and had furrowed
the entire country beyond Quingua
with the strongest sort of intrench-
ments. Instead of taking this course,
General Macarthur swung toward San
Tomas, the route to which was al
most unprotected. General Lawton
brought his brigade in against Balsuam
from the southwest, covering the line
of retreat of the rebels toward the
mountains, and depriving them of a
refuge upon which they had counted.
General Lawton captured $4,000
bushels of rice, an important part of
the stores established by the rebels.
The Spanish Commissioners have
made another futile attempt for the
release of the Spaniards held as pris-
oners by the Filipinos. Their vessels
steamed to the port nearest Dagupan.
Fearing to land. they sent letter to
Aguinaldo saying they We're author
lied to exchange 1900 F'ilipinos for
the Spanish prisoners The reply was
received from Senior Mabini's letter
dated May I'd. stating that Aguinaldo
was negotiating for peace. pending
which negotiations he could not dis
cuss the question of exchange of pris-
oners.
REBELS FIGHTING DESPER-
ATELY.
MANILA, May 5-S:25 a. m. In
spite of the peaceful overtures of their
Commissioners, the Filipinos vigorous
ly resisted the advances of General
MacArthur's division from Apalit to-
ward San Fernando. fighting desper-
ately at long range after running from
trench to trench when driven out by
the American artillery.
The movement commenced at half
past 5 in the morning. General Hale's
brigade. consisting of five Cuttings
under command of Major Young Of
the Sixth Artillery, two battalions of
the Fifty-frst Iowa Regiment, the