Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1899-02-09

in certain directions and also by TAX
ing summary measures to prevent the
operations of the insurgents in taking
UP positions and organizing forces.
A Psrpi-xIng Situation.
President Mckinley took the view
that perhaps under strict construction
of the terms of the protocol, which still
holds good in the absence of the ratifi-
cation of the treaty, he lacked authori-
ty to extend the field of occupation OF
the Americans. The fact that the in
surgents themselves have been the first
to break the truce. practically releases
the United States from further obliga-
ton in this respect, so that Gen. Otis
was unquestionably warranted, in the
opinion of the administration officials,
in extending his lines as Dewey re-
ports he has done.
The situation is regarded here as
rather anomalous from a diplomatic
standpoint Legally the Filipinos are
still Spanish subjects. Therefore, If
operations continue outside of Manila
as laid down in the protocol, it will
amount to a resumption of the war
with Spain, at least technically.
A Little Flaw In Dewey's Dispatch Causes
Comment
Officials noted one little flaw in
Dewey's dispatch. in which he spoke
of the American army and navy as
generally successful" conveying just
the least intimation that at some points
the results were not as satisfactory as
at others. 1t is inferred here that this
might mean the development of weak
ness at some of the more exposed
points on the American lines, which
might be easily explained by the fact
that the attack was made at night,
perhaps in places where the insurgents
could creep upclose under the shelter of
the tropical jungle that grows nearly
into the town of Manila.
Full Confidence In Gen. Otis.
Every confidence, however, is felt
that Gen. Otis is master of the situa-
ton. This confidence is based not
only on late cablegrams, but from re-
peated assurances to that effect con-
yeyed by Gen. Otis to Washington
from time to time during the past few
months. The forces under his com
mand. as shown by the records of the
adjutant generals office December 10,
the date of the last report, were 21,64a
troops, and of these there were pres
ent for duty 1856 men.
Troops On Their Way to Manila
Approximately 5000 men are on
their way to join Gen. Otis, in four
separate expeditions, though none is
expected to reach Manila for three
weeks or a month. There are the
Fourth and four companies of the Sew
enteenth infantry, LIS men, under
Gen. Lawton, which sailed from Glib
raltar last Friday; the Twentieth in
fantry, comprising 81 officers and 1,26S
men, under Gen. Wheaton, which left
San Francisco January 27: the Twen-
ty-second infantry, in command of Col
Egbert, which left San Francisco early
in the present month, and 1000 men
and officers of the Third and Seven
teeth United States regiments of in
fantry. which left New York Friday
on the Sherman.
There is big transport, the Sheri-
dan, now making ready in New York
to carry the Twelfth infantry, 1880
men in all, and she will start not later
than the 18th instant.
That is all that can be supplied TO
Gen. Otis in the way ofreinforcements,
according to Gen. Corbin. if the SOL
diers are to be of service in this cam
paign. More, of course, will follow as
rapidly as they can be gotten ready
if Gen. Otis needs them in any future
operations he may plan, but, as al
ready stated, it is believed this par
ticular crisis will have passed before
6a J.
tance from the United States.
The Cream or th. American Army
These troops, with those now in
Cuba. represent the cream of the Amer
lean army. according to Gen. Corbin. |
It is true that only about 5000 of Gea |
Otis soldiers are regulars, but his vol |
unteer soldiers have been under thor |
ough discipline and training for |
months, and many participated in the |
engagements attending the capture of |
Manila and are practically as good as
the regulars.
The Strength of AguInaldo's Army TN
known. |
No one here knows the real strength |
of the insurgents opposed to Gen. Otis
The accounts of their number are con- |
flicting, and none of theme comes |
from reliable sources. Still. the best |
belief of the authorities at the war de- |
partment is that they number about |
10000 men, but they are not compare
BILE to the American forces in person
mel, discipline or quality of arms. 1t |
is known that they have some Mausers.
some Remingtons and a variety of 9TH
err firearms, and it is suspected they |
have been quite plentifully supplied |
with ammunitionf from outside sources.
Inferior Troops and Arms mrnts.
Taken as whole, this armament is |
decidedly inferior to that of the Amer
lean troops. Then, the inexperienced
officers. in many cases even the col
onels of regiments being not more
than 81 years old. and their lack of |
knowledge of tactics they are at n
great disadvantage. Their strong
point is their knowledge of the coun-
try. and certain fanatical bravery in |
onslaught that would be formidable /
TO a volunteer force not well trained |
to stand fire. Like the Cubans. they |
rely too much on a sword-like weapon.
corresponding to the machete, weap-
on of little value against long-range
rifles.
Altogether the war department Of |
ficials have not the slightest doubt OF |
Gen. Otis ability TO hold his position
indefinitely, and the only cause for APP
prehension is the fear that by taking /
TO the interior of the country, practic-
ally impossible for American troops in
tho auDroachiuo RAINY season a rro-