The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-05-05
OTIS STOPS TEMPORIZING.
MacArthur Pushing Forward to
Take San Fernando.

hacArthur Pushing Forward to
Take San Fernando.
Washington, May 4.-The war depart
ment is satisfied from the dispatches re-
ceived from Gen. Otis to-day that the
American commander has put aside the
insurgent temporizng over peace and has
turned his attention to most aggressive
tactics.
The wisdom of this course was fully
approved by officials here who have fore
seen that the rebels needed further chas-
tisement in order to bring them to a re-
alizing sense of their position.
The early dispatches from Gen. Otis
clearly defined the general plan of his
latest movement. He is moving in two
main columns, Maj Gen. Macarthur
pushing straight forward over a nine
mile stretch of country between Calum-
pit and the latest rebel stronghold San
Fernando, and Maj. Gen. Lawton direct
ing a strong force under Col. Summer
to prevent the insurgents from retreating
from San Fernando into the mountains
TO the north.
The later dispatches say there has been
hot work in the execution of this move
ment, particularly in Gen. -dacArthur's
advance on San Fernando The defeat
of Luna at San Tomas and the scatter
ing of the insurgent forces leaves Mac
Arthur four miles from San Fernando
with clear road before him. He will
take the city tomorrow morning. ac-
cording to Gen. Otis plans
The taking of towns is no longer looked
upon by the authorities here as of chief
moment, the main considera tion being to
intercept the insurgents.
Lawton to Cut OF Retreat.
Gen. Lawton's movement northward TO-
day TO Maasin is designed to keep a body
of American troops to the north of the
rebels and between them and their lines
of retreat to the mountains The sue
cessful execution Of this move will leave
the insurgents well nigh surrounded on
the north, though there is a stretch of
about seven miles from Maasin to the Rio
Grande river along which the rebels are
retiring.
If the rebels succeed in getting to the
mountains, the war department officials
believe they cannot continue organized re-
sistance as the mountain localities afford
much less opportunities for sustenance
than the rice lands along the foot hills
and bottoms. The authorities here are
we'll satisfied with the manner in which
our forces are placed.
Dispatches From Otis.
The dispatches from Gen. Otis are as
follows:
Manila, May 4.-Adjutant General, Wash
ington. Situation as follows: Lawton holds
Balinag, captured second instant, after
rapid movement from Angat, where sup
plies with wagon train, pack animals and
ratons. He scattered the strongly en-
trenched enemy TO the north and north
westward, capturing large amounts of food
supplies, and has his detachments to north
and eastward His successful movement
attended with great difficulty because of
character of country, rain and heat. He
now covers our railway communication
and will be supplied from Malo.os.
Both Wheaton and Hale of MacArthur's
division found enemy in force strongly en-
trenched and commanded by Commander
in-ch.ef Luna, about four miles south of
San Fernando. Hale on right dislodged en-
cmy; and Wheaton on left, leading in per-
son, made brilliant charge, scattering his
forces, innictng great punishment. Mac
Arthur proceeds TO San Fernando in morn
ing. Delayed by partial destruction of
bridge across river. Not beEeVed enemy
will make another determined stand unit
he effects retreat to Mount Arayat, short
distance from San Isidro. Otis.
Col. Summers Advance.
Manila, May 4.-Adjutant General, Wash
ington: Col Summers with six battalions,
oregon, Dakota, Third Infantry and Utah
piece light artillery of Lawton's division,
proceeded north this morning to Maasin,
across river, charged enemy in strong en-
treuchments, driving him northward and
inflicting considerable loss. His casualties
was two wounded. NacArthur's column
concentrated, took up advance on San
Fernando at $3.50 this morning. Do not
apprehend sharp resistance on the part of
enemy. who will probably leave railroad
and retire northerly, direction to north of
Lawton Destruction of railroad near
Calumpit neeessitates dependence upon
wagon transportation. Enemy to south
and east of Manila. nine thousand, op-
posed by sufficient force under Ovenshine
and Hall: his demonstrations thus far
properly met by these officers with slight
losses. Many requests received from out
lying cities for protection against insur-