The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1899-05-10
BOCOlOR WILL NEXT Be ATTACKED.
REBELS ARE CONFIDENT.
Have Never Me, the Americans But Are Sure
They Can "whip the Whole Lot"
Strongly Enuenehed.

To clear the Filipinos out of Bacolor,
about five miles southwest of San Fer
nando will be the next task of the
Americans. The rebel general, Mas
cnrdo has a force OF 5000 men there.
well armed and possessed of plenty OF
ammunition. His troops have never
met American soldiers, and they think,
according to reports carried TO san
Fernando, that they can whip the
whole lot"
Bacolor is well intrenohed, and thou
sands Of natives are working like
beavers digging trenches and carrying
the dirt In baskets. The enemy uses
his rinemen FOR fighting only, but
compels the bolomen and Chinese, and
even the women, to labor incessantly.
The second conference held Wedncs-
day morning between Major General
Otis and the Filipino emissartes, Col
onel Manuel Arguellcs and Lieutenant
Jose Bernal, terminated without any
definite results.
Major Manuel krguolles and Lieut.
enant Jose Bernal returned to renew
and press the request of General Luna
for a cessation of hostilities. They
have found the field OF labor most
uncongenial one. The two officers
were received In conference by Major
General f.. s. Otis. The proposals
which they had to submit differed but
slightly from those which they brought
from the Filipino commander in the
first lpldce. They desired little time
In which to summon n congress, ana
expressed themselves as being con-
fideni that the congress would decree
peace. because the people desired IT,
They represented that Aguinaldo was
without power to surrender the army,
and that the congress must decide that
question. Incidentally the Filipino
ENJOYS asserted that Aguinaldo had
not yet made fair test of his strength
against the American forces, because
only one-third OF his army had been
assembled together.
The ENJOYS presented n letter from
Senor Mabini. president and minister
of foreign affairs in the cabinet of AZ
uinaldo and who Is the backbone of
the Filipino organization. The com
munication was personal and unofficial
and seconded Major Arguelles argu-
ments.
Whether or not General Luna is sim
cere In his overturcs, the negotiations
are giving the insurgents a much
needed opportunity TO rehabilitatt
their demoralized forces. The truth Is
that dissensions are helping on th6
DISCRIMINATION of the Filipino army
almost as much as the American cam
paign.
IN the course or the conferences VIII
the Filipino ENJOYS General Otis
agped with the statement of Major
Argueles that the people Of the Philip
pine islands wanted peace and he add
ed that requests for protection were
pouring In upon him from all parts OF
the country.
The following cablegram from Gen
eral Otis at Manila was received By
the war department Wednesday:
fGeneral Lawton's column, passini
westward from Nor2agaray. captured
Balinag and villages in vicinity Tues
day. scattering and pursuing 1000 IN
surgent troops. His only casualties
two wounded insurgents loss severa
killed. large number wounded anc
captured Numbers not stated. Have
opened communication with Lawtor
via Malolos by means of Hale's troops
and detachments from CITY,"
Gen. MacArthur's division advance
, to San Fernando last week, and fount
that the place had been evacuated by
the rebels. who left only small de
tachment to cover their retreat b,
train. Gen. Macarthur occupied th'
burning town without loss.