The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-11-21
OTIS MAKES A REPORT.
Tells of Operations of Macarthur,
Lawton and Wheaton.

Law I'LL am W A4Ol&bcA--
washington, Nov. 29.-Three cable
dispatches mere received at the war de-
partment today from General Otis
They are all dated today, but received
at different times. The first received
at 2:15 a. m, says.
"MacArthur's advance within five
miles of Dagupan, to which point rail-
road intact from Bamban, excepting
Tarlac break. Large quantity rolling
stock destroyed along line. Probably
either LaWton'S or W'heaton'S men IN
Dagupan. No report from those officers
since 18th; should hear today. Roads
becoming practicable for tranSporta-
ton, and troops moving from san Jose
to Lawten's front. Leonhaeuser, Win
three companies Twenty fifth infantry,
by night march surprised and captured
without casualties inSurgent force at
O'Donnell, seven miles from railroad
station Bambon or Capas- One insur-
gent killed. Force consisted of four OF
ficerS and 200 men, theif rifles, lO,UOo
rounds ammunition, transportation,
four tons subsistence, official records
and considerable clothing secured. In
surgents south of Manila somewhat
restless, again driven back from linus,
six men slightly wounded"
The second dispatch relates TO affairs
in the southern islands, and was re-
ceived at $3.50 a m. 1t follows:
lone of the contending insurgeiit fac
tions at Zamboanga secured the city
and turned same over to Captain Very
of the United States vessel in harbor.
Insurgent faction made demonstration
against city, and Very called on Jolo
for troops. One company sent. The
commanding officer asked permission to
send three additional leaving two
there. Two companies will be dispatch
ed from Jolo.
NJ 10
reinforced as soon as practicable. 1t
viii require several days. 1t was not
intended to take possession of Zambo-
anga until later; no provisions made.
Latter part of September members
of insurgent government in Cottabao
, district, southern MIndanao, We're be-
headed. New government formed,
which calls for United States troops.
City Cottabao, Duvuao, Surigao, north
eastern point Mindanao, of Importance;
troops will be sent to thesePoints when
available.
Hughes moving in Panay with two
columns; insurgents have retreated
from southeastern portion of island"
The following relates to movements
farther north:
.'MacArthur's advance entered Dag
upan today; aScertained that Whea-
tons troops had been there yesterday
and were Withdrawn last evening. 1t
J
nents are west of railroad in province
of Zambales, meditating concentration
and future demonstrations. They will
be looked after. Nothing yet received
from either Lawton or Wheaton"
The navy department also received
report of the acquisition of Zamboanga,
which differs in some respects from the
story of that event told in General Otis
cablegram. The naval account is con-
tanned in the following cablegram froYtA
Admiral Watson, dated Manila, today:
Commander Very of the Castine,
with fifty natives and Moros combined,
captured Zamboanga on the 10th inst.
No casualties. Landing parties from
C2stine and the Manila hold the town
with Fort Nazro commanding it pending
arrival of troops from Jolo. There is
considerable force of insurgents at Mer-
cedes. four miles away"
The acquisition of Zamboanga at this
time is of great Importance from a mil
itary point of view 1t is the principal
city of Mindanao. and dominates the
entire southern half of that island,
which is second in Importance only to
LuzOn. 1t has a population of nearly
u 600 people, and is we'll fortified. so
that a small garrison of troops could
hold it indefinitely against native at
tacks. In addition, il is q naval sta
ton. where the Spaniards used to rem
devious their ships in the southern ar
"hiDelago.
General Otis dispatch intimates that
ne is somewhat embarrassed by the
unexpected necessity OF providing a
garrison speedily for Zamboanga 1t
has been suggested that difficulty might
be met by garrisOning Zamboanga with
a battalion of marines, one or which is
understood now to be available in this |
country and ready to sail at short no. |
tice for Manila.