The times., 1899-03-16
THURSDAY. MARCH 16. 1899.
The Philippine War.

In the absence of anything like even
approximately accurate maps of the Island
Of Luzon it is quite out of the question to
follow the campaign against AguinaldO's s
rebels with critical Intelligence. Beyond
the fact that the Laguna de Bay is a
body of water eighty miles long and twenty
wide, aad that it is not far east of Ma
Mia, information is nebulous regarding
the immediate scene of the present fight
ing. and We are compelled TO fall back
upon deductions from our war reports from
Manila and, still more largely. upon con-
lecture. in reaching any conclusion as TO
the situs and movements of our troops
except in the most general way. The only
map yet at our disposition is manifestly
wrCng IN detail. II represents the islands
on which or contiguous to, the towns OF
Pasig and Pateros are situated as con-
siderable bodies of land, whereas it is
known that they are mere specks not
much larger than our idea of a fairsized
toEn site. We know this. however: that
the places named are at the northeastern
end OF the lake. and that their possession.
already ours, will give Wheaton's brigade.
which is operating as the right wing Of
the American advance the key OF the
situation from the east toward Malolos
the rebel headquarters.
Behind the position assaulted and secured
by Wheaton is the Laguna, upon which
the insurgents have depended for their
communication with the outside world.
Our information is that several light draft
gunboats are now engaged in destroying
the native boats on that sheet of water.
That being accomplished, the rebellion Will
be crippled in being forced to sustain it
self on what supplies it can draw from the
interior. because on the sea side our navy
is able 10 cut OF any useful communica-
tion.
At this distance, with the meager geo.
graphical and typographical knowledge OF
the field of operations We have the indi-
cations are that Wheaton threatens
Malolcs and that if his advance can be ad-
equately supported, he will be able not
only 10 take that position, but to bottle
the rebels between MaloIos, the sea and
Manila
Should this happen, it IS a reasonable
assumption that the Tagal rebellion viii
be crushed at once. Aguinaldo is under
stood to be without an interior country
10 fall back upon capable of supporting
an army. OF even of provisioning large
number of men. His military organiza- =
lion is loose, and without the means and
facilities necessary to a fighting force,
compelled TO meet a modern army. The
only reason why the Luzon rebellion OF
1867 was not wiped out in short order
was that the Spanish commanders could
never bring themselves to fight campaign
on scientific principles with thoroughly
organized ordnance. quartermaster. and
commissary backing. Some Of the Span
ish generals understood the necessity foI
such things, and represented them success
fully to the government at Madrid. But
when the money came to carry their pro.
fessicnal ideas into practice they invariably
stole it and let things go on as before.
The confidence which the American peO-
pie have in their army and navy does not
allow a moment Of doubt as TO the outcome
OF the Luzon campaign. So far, Otis and
Wheaton have seemed to meet public ex-
peotations in every way, and when Lawtou
gets into the field, he, too. may show that
he has overcome the inertia which made
him laggard in striking the Spaniards be-
fore Santiago. Perhaps. with the superb
chance he now has TO show his mettle. il
may occur to him TO undo, as far as he can
the injustice his alleged private slurs have
worked to General Wheeler. who fought the
fight and prevented the proposed retreat
on the great and glorious occasion re-
ferred 70.