The Hawaiian gazette., 1899-02-17
A General Engagement Started
BY Aguinaldo and His Men.
Beaten With Great Loss.
Bravery and Skill of Americans Casual
ties $50 Against 4.OOO-To the
Bitter End

SAN FRANCISCO, February Slh.--l
There has been more severe lighting In
the Philippine Islands since last Satur-
day than during the whole Spanish
war. Hoping 10 surprise the Amerl-
cans, the Filipinos, 10000 strong and
armed with Mauser rihes, having some
hrupp cannon. beautifully supplied
with powder. and where modern mill
tary weapons were lacking having re
course TO bows and arrows, attacked
Manila at night, but were CALAMITY
beaten on by the 1900 American
troops, assisted by the vessels OF Ad-
miral Dewey's fleet. On Sunday the
Americans took the offensive, drove the
Filiplnos from their positions, and on
Monday chased them from the water
works OF the city which they had occu-
pied since the investment OF Ma
Mia after Dewey's destruction OF Ad-
miral Montojo's squadron in the har-
Dor In May OF last year. General Otis
reports that the American casualties
Will probably aggregate ESQ. including
about fifty killed. while those OF the
ffiiplnos were very heavy. 500 OF their
dead having been buried on tine field.
Their losses, killed, wounded and pris-
oners, probably number 1000 Two
Krupp guns and q great many Mauser
rifles were captured. General Otis says
that quite number OF Spanish sol
diers are in the Filipino ranks, and
that they served the artillery. The FL
liplnos constructed strong intrench-
ments near the American lines, mostly
In bamboo thickets, which the Amerl-
can troops charged. killing or captur-
Ing many Of the enemy. The unsought
victory was most complete, and yester-
day the Americans were IN complete
control within radius OF nine miles
Of Manila. Detached bodies OF the FL
liplnos were Offering only deSul;ory op-
position, being In full retreat and ut
terly routed. Instructions have been
sent to General Otis to communicate
to the Filipino chiefs the fact OF the
ratification OF the treaty OF peace by
which the sovereignty OF the Philip
pine Islands passes from Spain to the
United States, and to continue opera
tons against them with vlgor In case
they do not submit, In order that re-
belllon against American authority
may be promptly quelled. To this end
the cruiser Boston was despatched from
Manila on Monday TO Iloilo with in
structions to Brigadier General Miller
to occupy that place Immediately.
. The first news OF the collision be-
: tween the Filipinos and the American
! army of occupation OF Manila came in
the form OF press dispatch late on
Saturday night. The government had
received no information OF the attack
and although the cablegram was dated
' at Manila, where the strictest censure
ship Of news has prevailed, the intel
HSthNo was NNWeu WIN suopit'oh lpi
the reason that 1t was sent to an an
J nexation paper, and the Senate was OF
, the eve OF voting on the question OF th'
ratification of the treaty ceding thu
z Philippines to the United States. i
I was supposed to be means to influence
certain wavering senators in favor o
9 ratification, but early on Sunday yeri
: iication OF the news was received b,
: the government, and the greatest ag
!, tation and anxiety prevailed.
The battle began at twenty minute
OF nine o'clock on the evening OF Sat
: urday, February 9Th, and continued
). with intermissions, for fourteen hours
resulting first in the repulse OF the Fl
lipinos and second In the occupation o
! their positions OF attack by the Ameri
= can forces. The Filipinos were the az
gressors, and, evidently. their on
4 slaught was preconcerted Both Gen
j, eral Otis land forces and Admira
3 Dewey's ships participated In the en-
gagement and the victory. The en-
h gagement was brought about by tn
8 action OF three native scouts. who, ad
. vancing close to the American lines
near Santa Mesa, made fe!nt TO pass