Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1899-04-12

Forty wounded and "a Large NUMBER
Taken Prisoners-American Casualties
Are Only Six Men Wounded RemarISa-
bic Precision of the American Soldiers
Fire During the Engagement.
Manila, April 1O.-Major General
Lawton's expedition ascaptured Santa
Cruz, a rebel stronghold on the south
east shore of Laguna de Bay. The
Filipinos, commanded by Chinaman,
made strong resistance, but were
routed with great loss. Their killed
number sixty-eight, and forty were
wounded. The American casualties
were six wounded The American fire
In this engagement showed remarkable
precision, and was the most deadly of
the war. Santa Cruz is a town of con-
siderable Importance. 1t is the capt.
tai of the province of Laguna, and has
a population of about $4,000. 1t is a
rebel stronghold and has thus far not
been attacked. This place is looked on
as the opening wedge to the great
stretch of country beyond as good
ROADS lead out in all directions from
Santa Cruz.
Capture Guns and Ammunition. 4
The Americans captured many pris-
Dners, a number of cannon and large
stock of rifles and ammunition. The
troops were landed near the city and
began the advance at daybreak The
fighting began on the outskirts of the
city. The Filipinos were driven in and
the main body of the rebels charged.
A hot fight followed. Americans need
ed little urging and gradually drove the
enemy back. A flank movement at q
critical time completely demoralized the
Filipinos and their slow retreat was
turned into rout. The flying natives
We're pursued through the streets Of
Santa Cruz, and for some distance into
the interior. Then a halt was called
guards posted throughout the city ana
the men rested. Another advance may
be made later in the day.
Rebels Fire on Scouting Party.
The rebels along the railroad fired at
a scouting party near Malolos wound
Ing two members of the Kansas regi-
ment The United States gunboat Ben
nington has gone to Baler, on the east
coast, in order to relieve Spanish gar
rison Of forty-seven men, which had
been beleagured there since May. It is
considered significant that The Oceania
Espanola, formerly rabidly in favor Of
the Filipino government, is now coun-
selling disarmament, advising the Fill
ipinos to accept the inevitable. 1t has
carefully analysed the proclamation Of
the United States Philippine commits
sion, pointing out the advantages Of
the definite policy determined upon.
GET READY TO SAIL FOR MANILA.
Troops Collecting at San Francisco and
Awaiting Transports.
-" Se3 Francisco, April 10.-Three bat
teries of United States light artillery
from the east have arrived at Oakland
and two trains, with four batteries of
heavy artillery, are due. They will be
quartered at the Preside until the
transports are ready to sail. 1t is pro-
posed to send the light artillery direct
to Manila and the heavy batteries to
Honolulu for garrison duty. The Twen-
ty-first United States infantry is now
ON its way from Plattsburg and is
scheduled to leave on the transport
Arizona. The Thirteenth United States
infantry is also on the way from the
east and will probably have the Scan
dia for transportation to Manila.
The United States collier Brutus has
sailed for Guam. The Scandal will be
taken to Hunters Point dry dock. The
transport Arizona has finished coaling
and is all ready to take on supplies for
her voyage. The Newport has been
locked at the Union Iron works for a
thorough overhauling. 1t is expected
that in few days all the transports
will be ready to convey to Manila the
troops now en- route here from the east
The Raleigh at Bermuda.
~ Hamilton, Bermuda. April 10.-The
cruiser Raleigh, one of Dewey's fleet at
Manila, has arrived here on it's way to
the United States. The officers will be
entertained by the British officials here
All aboard are we'll