Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-05-05
nd are likely to assume a neutral at


titude
1t seems as though Gen. Antonio
/ Luna's forces are destined to destruc-
ton within few days unless they sur
render or scatter.
The American army has been skill
fully posted at points of immense
strategic advantage. The insurgents
expected them to advance on Balinag
by way of Quingua, and had furrowed
the entire country beyond Quingua
with the strongest sort of intrench-
ments.
Instead of taking this course Gen.
| Macarthur swung toward San Tomas,
| the route to which was almost unpro
| tected. Gen. Lawton brought his brig
| ade in against Balsum, from the south
west, covering the line of retreat of
| the rebels towards the mountains and
depriving them of refuge upon which
they had always counted. Gen. Law
ton captured fifty thousand bushels of
| rice and important stores established
| by the rebels.
| The Spanish commissioners have
made another futile attempt for the re-
| lief of Spaniards held as prisoners by
the Filipinos. Their vessels steamed
to the port nearest Dagupan. Fearing
| to land they sent letter to Aguinaldo
saying they were authorized to ex-
change fifteen thousand Filipinos now
/ in the hands of the Americans for the
! Spanish prisoners. A reply was receiv-
| ed from Senior Mabini, Aguinaldo's
prime minister, which was dated April
2S, and which stated that Aguinaldo
was negotiating for peace, pending
which negotiations he could not dis
cuss the question of exchange of pris-
oners.
| Washington, May A cablegram
has been received from Gen. Otis, which
says:
Manila, May 4.
Adjutant General, Washington:
Col. Summers, with six battalions,
Oregon, Dakota, Third infantry and a
piece of the Utah Light Artillery of
Gen. Lawton's division, proceeded north
this morning to Maasin, crossed the
river and charged the enemy in strong
entertainments, driving them north
ward and infiicting considerable loss.
His casualties were two wounded.
Both Wheaton and Hale, of MacAr-
thurs division. found the enemy in
force strongly entrenched and COM
manded by Commander-in-C Luna,
about four miles south of Fernando
Hale, on the right, dislodged the enemy,
and Wheaton, on the left, leading in
person, made brilliant charge, scat
tering his forces and inficting great
punishment Several officers and en-
listed men were seriously wounded.
Macarthur proceeds to San Fernando
in the morning. He was delayed by
partial destruction of the bridge across
the river. 1t is not believed the enemy
will make another determined stand I'M
til he effects a retreat to Mount Arayat.
short distance from San Isidro.
OTIS.
The War Department also received
the following dispatch giving the sit
uation in the Philippines this morn
Manila, May 4.
Adjutant General Washington
Situation as follows: Lawton holds
Baliuag, captured on the I'd inst, after
rapid movement from Angat, where
he was supplied with a wagon train,
pack animals and rations. He scatter
ed the strongly entrenched enemy to
the north and northward, capturing
large amounts of food supplies, and
has his detaehments to north and east
ward. His successful movement was
attended with great difficulty because
of the character of the country, rain
and heat. He now covers our railway
communication and will be supplied
from Malolos.
MacArthurs column concentrated
| and took up the advance on San Fer
nando at $50 this morning. Do not
apprehend sharp resistance on part of
enemy. who will probably leave rail-
road and retire in northwesterly di-
rection to north of Lawton. The de-
struction of the railroad near Calum-
pit necessitates dependence on wagon
transportation.
The enemy to the south and east of
Manila, 5000, is opposed by sufficient
force under Ovenshine and Hall. His
demonstrations thus far have been pro-
perly met by these officers with slight
losses. Many requests have been re-
ceived from outlying cities for protec-
ton against insurgent troops.
OTIS.