The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-04-07
SITUATION A MONTH AGO.
Otis Had an Opportunity to End the
Rebellion, but Lacked Men.

Correspondence of the Associated Press.
MANILA, March A, per steamer Arizona
to San Francisco, April 6.-Although the
rupture between the American and the ma
tive forces occurred exactly on month ago
to-day, the conquest of the latter by the
former. which has long been conceded
necessity, can scarcely be said to have COM
menced as yet. Had the Americans been in
a position to follow up their advantage and
Keep right after the flying rebels. disor-
ganized as they were by that first unex-
Iected advance, there Is no doubt that the
question of supremacy would have been set
tied by this time, once and for all time.
Unfortunately however, large armies, such
as that of the Eighth Corps. not self
supporting, and, as no provisions had been
made for such an emergency as arose on
the night of Feb. 4, ii became necessary TO
call u halt at the very outset of what prom
ised to be q clean sweep 10 victory. While
this was unavoidable, 1t was disastrous in
many ways. First, because the moment the
halt was made the moral effect of their
first defeat eradicated from the minds
of the rebels, since il gave them time both
TO recover from their fright and to frame
excuses for their failure to avoid it, second,
it afforded an opportunity, which their lead
play upon the feelings of the majority and
enlist the sympathies of thousands who had
carefully refrained from joining the rebels
in their ill-advised demands: third, it al
lowed the rebels to rally their scattered
forces, and, after concentrating them in
various places. to infuse new blood into
their ranks
As soon as it dawned upon them that the
pnc pSix nd
no further advance was to be feared. the
rebels again assumed the aggressive, adopt
ing the same bushwacking tactics which
had proved so successful against their old
enemy. the Spaniards. At first these were
almost harmless. since they almost invaria-
bly, brought on fresh advance on the part
OF those whom they were intended TO intimi-
date. After the battle of Caloocan. how
ever when the American line was so long
and thin that any further general advance
became ineXpedient, the rebels made dis
covery which revolutiOniZed their plans and
inspired them with renewed courage This
was that their rifles had superior range TO
those of the majority of the American
weapons Thereafter their sharpshooters
carefully remained out of range OF the
Springhelds carried by the volunteer regi-
ments i'm front OF them, but maintained a
constant and more or less effective fire from
trees clumps OF bamboo, rocks, or other
natural points of vantage both by day and
night.
A CALLING SITUATION
more CALLING situation than that in
which the American troops have been
placed for the past few weeks IL would be
difficult TO imagine. Constantly potted at
by unseen foe, yet unable TO silence his
fire, except upon such rare occasions as
when the country was ordered cleared. and
then compelled 10 retire TO their original
lines after having done il. the wonder is
that the men were kept in check at ALL
Yet they were; not because they were so
thoroughly disciplined TO accept unwel-
come orders uncomplainingly, but because
they were buoyed with the hope that when