The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1899-05-27
MORE MEN NEEDED.
Larger Army Wanted In the Philip.
pines.

Manila, May 20 6-l1.20.-A scouting
party Of American troops encountered a
body of insurgents at Santa Rita, and the
Americans being reinforced by Brigadier
General Funston with the South Dakota
regiment, warm fight ensued. A
lieutenant and five men of the American
force wereswounded and ten of the In.
surgents were killed aud several captured.
The events of the past week have en-
phasized the need of a much larger army
hers, without which. according to the
best authorities In Manila. it would be
attempting the impossible to establish
American supremacy In the Philippine
islands. The inadequaoy Of the Ameri-
can forces Is said to be responsible for the
large total loss In the number Of small
encounters without material results.
1t appears that the Fiippinos who at
tackled the third regiment between San
Miguel and Balinag were part of Rio del
Pillars army. They came from the south
across the mountains, presumably to
meet a wagon train which General Law
ton expected along the road. They also
planned to capture several large detaTh-
ments and were anbushed at different
points. They fred from the jungle at a
distance OF two hundred yards and gave
the Americans one of the hardest fights
experienced In the campaign. The Fill
pinos lost more heavily than the Ameri-
cans in all the recent encounters. The
iueur gent generals take the loss of arms
more to heart than they do the loss of
men.
A TOUGH TASK.
Madrid. May &c. The minister Of war,
Gen. Polavieja has received a despatch
announcing the evacuation of Zam boAnga,
island of Mindanao, by the Spanish gar
rison. The despatch further said that as
the Spaniards had declined to assent to
the Filipinos demands that the arms and
ammunition should be surrendered with
the city, fighting ensued, the Spaniards
suffering some loss. Tho despatch adds
that the natives continue bitterly opposed
to the idea of American annexation and
that the conquest of Mindanao will prove
to be a tough task.
The following is the full text of the de-
spatch which was sent by Gen. Rios,
Philippines, from Manila:
81 arrived here on board the Leon
XIII. The occupation of the island OF
JoIs was effected by the Americans with
out any special incident. The American
warships saluted our flag with 81 guns
when lowered. The Filipino battery at
Fam boanga. island of Mindanao, con
tinued to shell the town and port eau SIM,
losses to our garrison. but finally after
lively attack by the Spaniards the in.
surgents fled. They suffered numerous
losses. Our losses were two officers and
three soldiers Killed and 10 soldiers
wounded.
zone company of our troops att acked a
battery which the enemy then abandoned,
and two other batteries were dismounted
by our artillery After this reverse the in
surgents declared their adhesion to Spain
and suspended hostilities.
1.-THE evacuation of Zamboanga as ao-
complished In the most orderly way. In
spite of a violent storm, which caused the
loss of several boats and the stranding
of the steamer Porto Rico on the enemy S
coast, everyone was safely en- mbsrked. Two
American warships were placed at my
disposal BY the admiral, but We did not
need them. The Spanish flag was saluted
with Is guns by the American ships.
at the minister of war does not order
to the contrary, shall sail for Spain on
board the p. DO Satrust Egui."
The cabinet this evening approved OF
the plan of Gen. Rios.