The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-02-06
THE MILITARY SITUATION.
TopOErapby-AEuinaIdo's Line of Retreat
HIS Attack on Manila nm AbsurditN.

y sstF vi v ~
His Attack on Manila an Absurdity.
Mr. Martin Egan. who was at Manila for the
Ban Francisco Chronicle. and who recently
arrived here from the Philippines. made the
following statement TO a Sun reporter last
night:
Tho Filipino attack upon Manila was. ac-
cording to he adVices so far received. directed
against the lines Of Gen. Otis on the north and
east Of the city. and from the position in which
Aguinaldo Was the strongest. and the compare
tive ease with which the rebels were driven
back makes the victory significant. When
Aguinaldo abandoned Bakor. which is on the
south shore OF the bay. between MsIate and
Cavite, and moved his headquarters TO Malolos.
he chose the position that gave him the
greatest strategic advantage. He took pos
session Of the Daguypan RAILWAY. all Of
the northern divisions Of which had long
been in the hands OF his adherents,
and was at once in position, with the great val
ley OF Lnzon at his back TO feed and transport
his troops. His every effort was evidently
directed to the strengthening OF his position
there. Malolos was made n military depot. and
every advantage possible was taken Of The
physical conditions of the country living be
tween there and Manila. The railway was bar.
ricaded, batteries were mounted on the com.
handing positions. and every preparation was
thuNN ~ ~ ulu u optIhIlbnN.
1t is true that his lines extended clear around
the city. but those In the vicinity Of Malate on
the south were weakened by Withdrawals un-
I'll the force was trihing. A considerable force
was kept in the vicinity Of Pacho. which is the
suburb southeast OF the city. but with tho
Pasig and Laguna de Bay at its back that
division was believed 10 be in a position TO caro-
for itself in the event Of hostilities.
"Aguinaldo also took every precaution for
the holding Of Santa Mesa and San Juan del
Monte. for IL is between them that the water
works which supply the city of Manila are To-
Gated. and possession Of the latter was n pow
erful leverage. Aguinaldo's troops captured
the water works from the Spanish in July last.
after weeks OF desperate lighting. and when
the American army occupied the city. on AUG.
IL. the water was turned of, Gen. Merritt,
then in did not then dispossess the
rebels, but induced them 10 permit the water TO
be turned on.
THE dispatches to THE SuN say that the At
tack was strongest between CalOocan. which is
a town on the Daguypan Rail way. and Santa
Mesa. aud II is quite probable that Gen. Otis is
by this time IN possession of the water works.
twas stated a few days agr that he had mount
ed the guns Of the Utah Light Artillery on the
elevation known as Santa Mesa hills. and |
feel quite sure that a special effort would be-
made Ia take both Santa Mesa aud San Juan
del Monte.
There would be an additional advantage in
the fact that, II Otis gained possession Of the
country east of the city. he would have the
rebel forces divided.
The country north and east NJ he city. where
the dispatches say the principal hghting took
place, is low lying and badly broken up. 1t is
cut up with sloughs and marshes and is heavily
wooded with the native growths in places. The
night attack meant lighting under trying cir
oumstances. but our boys seem TO have carried