Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1899-05-11
MANILA HERO COMING HOME
Will Bring His Flagship, the Olympia,
and Will Come Direct to New
Workouts Sends a Cablegram Civ
ing the Situation in the Philip
pines.

w
and navy yard.
1t was stated at the navy department
that Admiral Dewey will come from
Manila direct to New York when he
returns to the United States. How
ever, it was added the admiral will not
start until the commission of which he
is member has completed the work it
has undertaken, at least so far as 1t re-
lates to the restoration of peace to the
islands. The reasons for bringing the
flagship Olympia to New York instead
of having her go to San Francisco,
where she was built, is said to be pri-
marily because Admiral Dewey de-
sires to make the passage on his own
flagship, but also for the reason that
the Mare Island yard threatens to be
overwhelmed with repair work as
soon as the numerous vessels OF
Dewey's feet begin to return to the
United States. The Olympia is in
neeu of a thorough overhauling, hay
ing been away from her home longer
than any of the vessels in the Aslatlc
fleet, and having rendered more than
the usual amount of hard service dur
ng her absence.
During the war with Spain Rear
Admiral Watson, had charge, under
Sampson, Of the blockade of Cuba.
He is short and slim-not at all the
typical sea dog.
The war department has received
from Gen. Otis a dispatch giving the
situation in the Philippines, some
parts of which have been omitted by
the war department in making it pub
lie. The dispatch is as follows:
Manila, May S.-Lawton at Maasin
and Balinag; scouting parties to north
and east Macarthur at San Fernan-
do. Population of country between
Manila and northern points, held by
troops, returning home; appear cheer
full and contented. Army gunboats OPP
Grating in rivers. Have cleared the
country west Of Macarthur of insur-
gents. Signs of insurgents weakness
more apparent daily. Otis.
The war department officials seem
to be even more encouraged over the
condition in Manila. The report Of
Gen. Otis indicates that the American
troops are we'll disposed. It has been
evident that the insurgents who were
| operating in the swamps and jungles
| east of Gen. MacArthur's have been
very annoying, but the army gunboats
have maze it too hot for them to re-
! main.
Gen. Lawton appears to be pushing
northward some miles to the east of
Macarthur. The Rio Grande lies be-
tween them and there the gunboats ev-
identity are at work.
Two Towns Taken.
Manila, May 9.-The army's gun
boats Luguna de Bay and Cavadonga,
under command Of Capt Grant, which
started up the San Fernando river for
Guagua Sunday, as was presumed to
establish there base Of supplies for
the troops engaged in the northern
campaign, returned Monday, Maj.-Gen.
Macarthur having failed to connect
with the expedition. The gunboats
found rebels entrenched at Sosomoan
towns.
The vessels steamed past the works,
Smelling the occupants and driving
them out. Landing parties from the
boats entered both towns, capturing
at SOSomOan Spanish captain in uni
form who was ostensibly a prisoner in
the hands of the rebels, and also a
native officer. Arriving at Guagua,
the town and a small gunbOat were
found to be burning, and the natives
were evacuating the place in cOnse-
quence of the bombardment. At SOso-
moan the landing party captured a
number of Filipino flags and quantity
of arms, chiefly bolos and bows and
arrows, besides lot Of band instru-
ments, which the men played as they
marched back to the boats.
Capt Grants expedition will prob
ably return up the San Fernando river
after having been reinforced, on re-
Gently purchased light draft Spanish
steamers.
The Filipinos Sunday surprised the |
United States forces at San Fernando |
with a daring trick. A railway train
with an engine at each end was run al |
most to the American outposts and in |
plain sight Of the town. Before they |
could be reached a gang of natives
sprang off the train, tore up several |
lengths Of the railway track boarded |
the train again and steamed away so
quickly that there was no opportunity
to capture them.
The Nebraska regiment is asking for
a temporary relief from duty. Only
SIS men of this regiment are left at the
front
To clear the Filipinos out or Bacolar,
about five miles southwest Of San Fer
nando, will be the next task Of the
Gen. Mascardo, has A
force of 5000 men there, well armed
and possessed Of plenty Of ammuni-
ion. His troops have never met Amer
IAN soldiers and they think, according
to reports carried to San Fernando,
that they can whip the whole lot"
Bacolor is we'll intrenched and thou
sands of natives are working like
beavers, digging trenches and carry
ng the dirt in baskets. The enemy
lses his rif1emen for fighting only, but
.ompels the Bolomen and Chinese, and
wen the women 10 labor inoaScan-1y