The age-herald., 1899-03-29
MALOLOS NOW THE
 POINT OF ATTACK haCArthlf'S Division Advancing on tho
 Rebel Capital. SMALL GUNBOATS AT WORK Entered BllaCan River and Did Severe
 Execution.
SMALL GUNBOATS AT WORK
SOME DELAY MAY BE OCCAsI0NED
Has Been Destroyed-Gen. Otis Troops Are in Excellent
 Condition and Spirits.

Washington, March 2S-The insurgent capital of Malolos is now the point to which attention in all official quarters is directed. Mai Simpson, chief of the military infor- nation bureau, advanced the American front five miles on the map based on the latest advices from Gen. Otis. These were rather meager since yesterday and the dis patch received today related to yesterdays fighting without stating whether the action had been resumed this morning. It was sufficient, however, to show that McAr- thurs division was now beyond Marilao and well on Its way to Malolos.
 The disposition of the forces as shown by the latest dispatches places the brigade of Gen. Harrison G. Otis advancing on the left of the railroad and the brigade of Gen. Hale on the right.
 Wheaton's brigade is farther back, main- taining his communication with the ad- vance forces. Ahead of the American forces the most serious natural obstacle is the Bulacan river, which is in reality an arm of Manila bay, about mile wide and very deep and reaching straight across the path of the advancing American forces.
 Gunboats in the River
 But to offset this Gen. Otis dispatch of this morning conveys the cheering infor- nation that our small gunboats are in the Bulacan river where great execution was done yesterday and where they will relieve the pressure on McArthurs front. This, in the judgment of military authorities, is strategic move of great advantage, as the Bulacan river and the big city of Bulacan No thn the insurgent capital lying just beyond.
 Bulacan is a city of importance, second only to Manila, and is the capital of the province. It is much larger and stronger than he insurgent capital Malolos, and with it's broad and deep river is sort of gateway to the capital.
 There is no doubt the bridge over the
 Bulacan is destroyed, and this is probably the bridge to which General Otis refers. 1t is felt that some delay may be occa- stoned in overcoming so important a nat ura obstacle as this deep, wide river. Once across it, the city of Bulacan lies to the left, the railroad skirts around it so that our forces may leave 1t and press for
 ward to the insurgent capital or may see ht to reduce this important city. Beyond Bulacan the road to Malolos Is practically clear. It points either straight mark due west or else a circuitous move along good roads northward to St. Isab bel, then striking Malolos in the rear. But the belief here is that General Macarthur will press straight ahead along the railway, preferrng direct issue with the insurgent forces rather than another strategic move to entrap them.
 su ypiy Trains at Marilao
 General Otis reports that the supply trains are up to Marilao is a source of
 special satisfaction among officials, as it shows that the stores are well up with the fighting line.
 | Another reassuring feature of General | Otis report is that the troops are in ''ex- 1 cellent condition and spirits" After a | three days fight such high spirits in the troops counts for quite as much as ade- | quate materials and stores.
 | The silence of the reports as to the move l ments of today caused no apprehension. 1 It was construed that the operations Of
 yesterday were proceeding today without 1 material change.
 | About the war and navy departments af- | fairs proceeded quietly today with no evi- i dence of agitation or alarm. Word was received that the Third infantry had been | sent forward to relieve the Twenty-third | in Hales brigade. The latter regiment has been fighting almost continuously since the | trouble in the Philippines began. It fought | against the Spaniards and more recently has been in front of most of the engage ments. The regiment, having been on pro- vost duty is especially familiar with the city of Manila, where 1t will resume duty.