The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1899-06-07
SUMTER. S. c., WEDNESDAY. JUNE z. 1899.

Gen. Osis says the negotiations were
barren of practical results The insur.
gent members desired absolute lnde-
rendeucs, but we're unauthorized to
present aoy statement they could main
tain. In the latter part of January
she insurgents became aggressive,
interfering with the American troops,
.aad 6ually led Gen. Otis to address
another letter to Aguinaldo calling
attention to the arrest Of F,Iipinos of
some American soldiers and q news
paper correspondent and requesting an
explanation. Gen. OTIS letter added !:
81 am doing everything possible to
preserve the peace and avoid all fric-
tion until the Philippine people can be
made fully aequsiBted with the sentiment
and intentions of the American govern.
meat. .5ea i am confident that they
viii appreciate the eudeavors Of the
United States aud will again look upon
that country as their friend and
protector. / also fully believe that the
prseeos unrest is the result of machioa-
,ion of eyil.disposed persons.
: To this letter Aguinaldo sent sar
castle reply. bu: ordered the release Of
the prisoners.
Gen. OTIS next tells how the Ameri-
can soldiers. were openly insuited aud
how the insurgents. had continuaiiy
labored TO strengthen their lines.
threatening to drive the Americans OUT
of the island, aud how 6ually on the
night Of Feb. 4 the demonstration vas
made, which resulted in the killing Of
6 Filipino by an American sentry apd
the firing on the Americans by the
insurgeot troops. Gen. OTIS continues
as follows
..Tbe iasurgens army had thus sue
ceeded in drawing the Ere Of a small
outpost. which they had evidently la
bored With all their ingenuity to ac-
eomplieh in order to justify in some
way their premeditated attack It is
not believed that the chief insurge0t
leaders wished to open bossilities at
this time as they we're not completely
prepared to assume the initiative.
They desired two or three days more TO
perfect their arrangements, bus the
zeal of their army brought on the orisis
which anticipated their action. They
could not hare delayed long, ,khowever,
for it was their object to force an issue
before Americao troops then en- route
could arrive at Manila.
..The movement Of troops duriog
the protrscted engagement which fol
lowed and their success at every poiot
are described in the accompanying re.
porte Of the commanding generals Of
di7ision cannot speak too highly Of
the efficiency displayed by the troops
under ,hs most trying ordeals. and
where al organizations engaged con-
Quoted themselves SO courageously it
would be difficult to undertake special
mention.
'.Duriog the night of Feb. 4 aud the
following day the insurgents of the city
we're greatly agitated. fearing for their
personal safety. A portioo to the
number of about 5000, had been en-
rolled in secret society for the pur-
pose of attacking our troops within the
city aud performing iucendiary work
while the insurgents pressed us from
without. This purpose was we'll known
aud an attack upon cur forces both 10
frons and rear was anticipated So
admirably. however, bad Gen. Hughes,
the provost marshal general. disposed
of 5000 troops Of his CON maud tha,
the risiog vas suppressed wherever
attempted
In conclusion, Gen. Otis explaios in
detail bis movement on Caloocan and
says that it vas attended with the accus
toned success of American srps