The record-union., 1899-02-09
Seeking Cessation
Of H0StiIities
Since His Influence in Philip
pines Has Been Destroyed.
Major General Otis, in Command Of
American Forces, Reports the
Situation Much Improved.

MANILA, Feb. 9.-11 a. m--The FIJI
ipinos at Caloocan opened fire last ev-
ening just before midnight, upon the
Kansas outposts, on the extreme left
of the American line. They main
tanned a fusilade of musketry, supple
mented by an occasional shot from two
big guns for about twenty minutes. The
Americans did not reply.
The enemy fired at long range, and
nobody was hurt. All was quiet along
the rest of the line, and there was no
change in the American position during
the night
The First Wyoming Infantry relieved
the Twenty-third Infantry at the water
works yesterday, the latter returning
to Provost Guard duty in the city, which
is gradually resuming its normal ap-
pearance.
The Tennesseeans have just sailed for
Iloilo on the st. Paul. Brigadier Cen
eral Miller's force now consists of Bat
terry G. the Sixth and Eighteenth regu-
lar infantry regiments and half sig
nal company, with the Baltimore Bos-
ton and Petrol
AGUINALDO SEEKS CESSATION OF
HOSTILITIES.
WASHINGTON, Feb. S.-There was
an almost complete release to-day of
the tension under which the rapid oc-
curence of events in the Philippines
have held officials of the Administration
since the first startling news from Ma
Mia on Saturday night. This was
brought about through the receipt of
bulletin from General Otis summing
up the latest results of the fighting he
has had with the natives. THE state
ment that Aguinaldo's influence has
been destroyed. and that the Filipino
leader was seeking for a cessation of
hostilities, and for a conference was
most acceptable and was interpreted as
an admission that he had realized his
terrible mistake. 1t is improbable that
he will be able to obtain anything like
the same terms as were possible last
week
No one here now knows lust what
General Otis intends to impose in the
way of terms. Secretary Alger this
afternoon repeated his statement of
yesterday that he had given the General
no instructions since the battle. and
said there was no reason for giving
any He realized, he said, that Cen
eral Otis, being on the ground, and
having proved his fitness. was in bet
ter position to deal with the situation
than anyone in Washington. Should
the General ask permission, therefore,
to do anything he would be granted per-
mission Immediately. Should he ask
for instructions on any point" said
Secretary Alger.. "he will be told to ex-
ercise his own discretion"
In this view of the case, it will be
seen that no one here can at present tell
how General Otis was dealing towards
Aguinaldos application. But the
opinion is expressed by men here who
know General Otis experience with the
down of arms the only condition of
dealing with the insurgents at all, and
If that condition is met of course it
will mean speedy termination of the
rebellion.
The War Department to-day received
the following dispatch:
Manila, Feb. S.-Situation rapidly
improving. Reconnaissance yesterday
to south several miles to Lagunaz Bay
to southeast eight miles, driving strag-
Cling insurgent troops in various direc-
tions. encountering no decided opposi-
ton. Army disintegrated and natives
returning to villages displaying white
flags. Near Caloocan, six miles north,
the enemy made a stand behind en-
trenchments and were charged by Kan
sas troops led by Colonel Funston. Close
encounter. resulting in rout of the
cHCHiS viii hcdNy loSS i<oSs " 4Aesii
sans, Lieutenant Afford killed. six men
wounded.
ION the 4th Aguinaldo issued a pro-
clamation charging Americans with
initiative, and declared war. Sunday
he issued another calling all to resist
foreign invasion. His influence through
out this section destroyed, now applies
for cessation of hostilities and con-
ference. Have declined to answer In
surgents' expectation of rising in city
on night OF 4th unrealized. Provost
Marshal General with admirable dispo-