Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-02-06

~"
way to join Gen. Otis in four separate
expeditions. though none are expected
| to reach Manila for three weeks or a
month. They are as follows: The 4th
and four companies of the 18th Infan-
try, 1928 men, under Gen. Lawton,
which sailed from Gibraltar last Fri
day; the goth Infantry, comprising 81
officers and 1868 men, under Gen.
| Wheaton, which left San Francisco,
Jan. 81; the 22d Infantry. in command
of Col. Egbert, which left San Fran
cisco early in the present month. and
| 1000 men and officers OF the Sd and 18th
Regiments, T. S. Infantry. which left
New York, Friday, on the Sherman.
| There is a big transport, the Sheri-
dan, now making ready in New York
to carry the 18th Infantry and bat
talon of the 18th Infantry. 1920 men in
all, and she will start not later than
| the 14th inst. That is all that can be
supplied to Gen. Otis in the way OF
| reinforcements, according to Gen.
| corbin. if the soldiers are to be of ser
vice in this campaign. More of course
will follow as rapidly as they can be
gotten ready if Gen. Otis needs them
| in any future operations he may plan,
but as already stated, it is the particu-
| lar crisis will have passed before they
| can be transported the great distance
| from the United States to Manila.
These troops, with those now in
Cuba, represent the cream of the
Corbin. 1t is true that only about 5000
of Gen. Otis soldiers are regulars, but
his volunteer soldiers have been under
thorough discipline and training for
months. some as much as eight months,
and many participated in the engage
mcnts attending the capture Of Manila
and are practically as good as the reg
ulars.
No one here knows the real strength
VI Aie iiSuISeutS opItSeu " rcIi. otiS.
The reports of their numbers are con-
fiicting and none of them come from
reliable sources. Still the best belief OF
the authorities at the war department
Is that they number about 10000 men.
but they are not comparable to the
American forces in personnel, disci-
pine or quality of arms. 1t is known
that they have some Mausers. somt
Remingtons and variety of Other
firearms. and it is suspected that they
have been quite plentifully supplied
with ammunition from outside sources
Taken as whole. this armament Is
decidedly inferior to that of the Ameri.
can troops. Then with inexperienced
officers, in many cases even the colo.
nels of regiments being not more thar
q years of age, and their lack o.
knowledge of tactics. they are at 6
great disadvantage. Their strong point
is their knowledge of the country and
certain fanatieal bravery in onslaught
that would be formidable to volun-
teer force not we'll trained to stand
fire.
Like the Cubans, they rely too mucl
on a swordlike weapon corresponding
to the machete, a weapon of little
value against long range rifles. Alto
gether. the war department officials
have not the slightest doubt of Gen
Otis ability to hold his position in
definitely. and the only cause for ap
prehension is the fear that by taking
to the interior of the country, practi
cally impossible for American troop.
in the approaching rainy season,
prolonged Indian fighting style
campaign may follow.
Besides his soldiers, Gen. Otis has a
his back in Manila bay commanding
the city, veritable rock of Gibralta
in Dewey's feet. With the vessels ht
has now and those about to join him
Dewey will have 81 ships of various
yHtS vi lutl-leuSeu WdTSIilDS lie IlON
| has nine, as follows: The flagship
| Olympia. the Boston, Baltimore
Charleston, Concord. MonadnOck, Mon
terey, Petrol and the Buffalo. He alss
has three armed supply ships whic.
| are just as effective as warshp, al
most, in attacking troops outside 0
| Notifications and in maintaining tn
blockade. They are the Culgo. tn
Nanshan and the Zafiro.
The vessels on the way to join Dewe
are the gunboat Helena, now at &C
lombo. the Castine at Gibraltar. tn
Princeton. due at Port Said, Tuesday
he Bennington, the Burtus and tn
Yorktown, probably at Guam on thei
way to Manila. the battleship Oregon
md the water boat Iris at Honolulu
rhe Solace is about to start from Nor
| CQER1DAM,N