The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1899-03-28
NIlIALDO COMMANDS
But the Rebel Troops Are Being
Chased Into Malolos,
DUR SOLDIERS MUST MOVE SLOW.

| "oNe"oAt OI inc army GENERA
| Otis Has Purchased All the spanisI
Gunboats In the Philippines.
Washington, March 2S-The third da,
Of the fighting north of Manila brough
little Of decisive character from which
the war department officials could judge
what the final outcome of this movement,
would be. In all official quarters the
most intense interest prevailed, but there
was no excitement and none of that
anxiety and tension shown during the
memorable days of last summer, when
the decisive blows were being struck nj
Santiago. Early in the day General
Otis cabled the war department a brief
but comprehensive dispatch summing up
the situation 1t disclosed that severe
fighting was going on, with our forces
advanced as far north as Mariloa, while
the insurgents, Buder the command Of
AgninaldO in person, were being driven
back with considerable slaughter. This
and the press dispatches satisfied the of.
hcials that the stragetic movement of
entrapping the insurgents between our
lines had not proved as successful as
designed, and that the move had now
shifted to a retreat by Aguinaldo's forces
and pursuit by our troops.
The insurgent retreat towards Malolos
was SLOW and logged, and advantage
was taken of one after another Of lines of
entertainments, the burning Of bridges
and the interruption of communications.
General Otis dispatch, although receiv-
ed early yesterday, was sent Monday
evening, Manila time, and summed up
the work of the three days. That the
fighting would proceed into the, fourth
day was shown by his closing sentence:
1.-The column will press on in the morn.
ing This refers to today.
The engagement has now shaped it.
self so that it is looked upon as more
of chase than the execution of
strategic movement. With the American
base advanced to Mariloa, and the in.
surgent base forced back to Malolos, the
main bodies of the two opposing forces
are about ten or twelve miles apart.
This could be quickly covered in
forced march under fair conditions, but
1t is II miles Of innumerable difficulties
and obstacles which our troops must
cover before they reach the insurgent
stronghold. 1t is expected that the en-
gineers with Macarthur are hastily re-
pairing the burned bridges. This will
permit the artillery to be taken for
ward, as well as the infantry columns.
1t is expected that every mile of the
distance to Malolos will be contested
by the insurgents, for General Otis re-
ports that it is stretch of country COW
cred with the entertainments thrown up
during the last three months.
Our men, therefore, must advance
slowly. repairing the roads as they 10,
and at the same time they must fight
their way through well made rebel en-
trcnchments. Malolos is the insurgent
capital. where the assembly has been
sitting and the insurgent government
has been in operation. 1t represents
more to the insurgents than any other
place in the Philippines. and little doubt
S entertained that they will make des-
Derate stand there
The tactics of Aguinaldo are taking
him gradually beyond the range of Ad-
niral Dewey's guns While the ins,r.
cents were at Malabon. on Saturday,
hey were within a mile of the water
ront, and easily within range of the
leet. But rs they have moved north
ward they have gradually moved away
rom the bay. Malolos is about seven
niles back of the bay, although there
re shallow estuaries which would per-
nit light draft boats to get within a
nile or two.