The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-04-09

During the past few days operations
I'm the Philippines have undergone a
marked change. The insurgents still
continue to retreat. before the advance
of the United States forces moving
northward through the country skirting
Manila bay, but the run OF battles and
hard fighting which hitherto character
lied the present campaign and gave
promise of a speedy termination of the
war have come to an end, and the
cisive engag cement, held hopefully in
view until very recently, is not now in
sight. The Filipinos have resumed their
old tactics of skirmishing and scam
pering through the tangled canebrakes
and jungles with Indian elusiveness
Their ambushed sharpshooters pick off
our men nightly, while the main in
surgeut body-if that which gathers and
disperses like clouds before the wind
may be- called a body-affords no front
TO the American attack. The United
States troops have pressed their lines
NcSi W ara IIOil hdlllid DeyOUu IdSlS
and northward beyond Malolos, at which
last-named point. it will be recalled, the
decisive engagement was expected to
take place, but did not Still northward
from Malolos some five or ten miles,
and near Calumpit the fitting Filipinos
swarm and scatter, holding forth the,
same uncertain hope of Malolos and ultl-'
mate battle, yet holding in reserve as
probably the same disappointment
Meanwhile the p-U .-lma ton of the
United States Philippine commission
lately issued. looking to an ending of
hoStiities and the establishment of
peace and civil government throughout
the archipelago. while said to have been
favorably received at Manila and
throughout the territory in occupancy
of the United States arms, has seemed
To have had little or no effect beyond.
Certainly the forces of both sides still
keep the field. Thus briefly, the present
situation in the Philippines remains.
with slight shifts and changes from day
" hUN-' W HIT OOSS 1t DOrlenQ.
The prospect presented by the above
picture sketched from official report,
can only be looked at with deep concern
when viewed in the light of what is,
and what is inevitably to come. 1t con-
tains potent factors which make for
protract!on of the struggle; dilatory
procedure and benumbing delay are its
features And it is the programme of
the Filipinos, moreover, as has been
shown. The eagerness with which cur
forces press forward as they may in
dicates earnest desire for a speedy and
successful conclusion of the war on the
part of the United States. 1t indicates
more. 1t indicates an apprehension Of
the purposes Of the insurgents III drag
glng on the conflict by desultory
sNirmish and devious retreat. 1t indi-
Gates that the passing days have grown
precious and the coming months por-
tentous of evil to the American soidiery.
Mayhap the Filipino never heard of
Moscow, or the effect of leaving the
climate to fight an uninured and I'M
acclimated invading army. Nor need he
have. Observation at home will have
taught him as much or more than IA
miliavity with the disastrous Napoleonic
campaign in Russian winter. He has
seen the Spaniard fight vainly against
the climatic forces which hold their
deadly rule under the angry Philippine
sky. Where. in the four centuries OF
SPANS constructive rule and possession
actual control and occupancy covered the
merest fragment, we have read only
want OF enterprise and the spirit and
genius of development. the Filipino,
half devil and half child" though he
is or may be. may nave read and now
reads more aptly and shrewdly the fulfil
ity of warning against natures opposing
moods. Perhaps in his campaign OF de-
lay ne only awaits the arrival Of his
ever constant ally, the season of rain,
which pours down disease ard death on
the stranger within his gates.
Tt is only within a year that the peo-
nile of the United States have through
their soldiery come in touch with the
tropical climate and learned to know the
bIighting effect of its rainy season ON
human life not Injured to it. Compared
with the, Philippines. Cuba may be said
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