The Mena star., 1899-06-22
AMERICANS SURROUNDED.
Three Hundred United States Sol diers FightTheir Way Through
 a Large Rebel Force.
GEN. 0T!S' REPORT OF THE SgIRMISH.

The Commanding General Comments Cen.
 Wheaton-Gen. NIiIes Believes the Sit
 uation in the Philippines to Be Very
 Serious Rear Admiral Watson Raises
 His Flag on the Baltimore.
 Manila, June 21.-Before the battle near Perez das Marinas, while the American troops were in a sunlxen road, force of insurgents attacked them on the flank. The Americans re- treated in good order for several miles. Finally, reinforced by Robinson's bat talion of the Fourth infantry, they ad- vanced upon the foe. Surrounded by 1000 of the enemy, six miles from re- Inducements, and with thousand more insurgents moving rapidly down on their flank to make their annihila- tion complete, the First battalion of the Fourth infantry, Maj. Budd com manding, in all 800 Americans. fought their way back from Perez das Marinas. They fought for three miles toward their military base at linus, where the rest of the Fourth came to their sup port.
 In explanation of the dangerous sit nation of the battalion it is said that reports were received that Das Marinas had been deserted by the insurgents. The alcade of the place came to linus and formally surrendered the town. The houses along the roadside were filled with amigos" and the battalion aHx !, three-quarters of a mile of Das Marinas, when they discovered the enemy. paralleling the road at a long distance on both sides and prac- tically surrounding the little force. Natives began firing from the houses in the rear and natives with white cloths were captured with gunsin hand. All had contended that they were friendly. The whole scheme was to wipe out the small body of American troops and might have succeeded ex- cept for the marvellous courage of the troops and officers.
 The skirmish lines crowded the Fili- pinos back toward linus, while out fiankers were upon the right and left. Under fanlxing fire the rear guard was desperately holding the enemy's fire poured upon the main road and men were falling everywhere. The ambulance was filled and carts were pressed into service, loaded with the wounded and dragged by the hand by the prisoners. Two of our dead were left behind. Only the arrival of Wheaton with endorsements saved the battalion from annihilation.
 To-day the troops commanded by Gen. Wheaton entered Perez das Ma rinas without opposition except upon the part of small bodies of rebels, who inflicted no losses upon the Americans. The town is an unimportant place sur rounded by swamps and Gen. Wheaton will probably return to Imus
 Otis Report on the slSirmish.
 Washington, June 21.--Gen. Otis for wards the following dispatch
 Manila, June 20.--Adjutant General, Wash ington; Wheaton is at linus, Cavite province, with four guns, four battalions Fourth and Fourteenth infantry. Nevada troop cavalry; he sent battalion south on reconnaissance in the direction of Das Marinas yesterday morning where enemy was reported concentrat-
  tered enemy's force of 2,000 marching to attac5 linus; successful in impeding it's pro- gress Wheaton with two guns and two battal- ions, hurried forward. repulsed enemy with heavy loss; enemy leaving 100 dead on the field; our loss five killed, g wounded Wheaton re- inforced last night by battalion Ninth infantry; is driving the enemy beyond Marinas, now in his possession. Casualties to-day not reported. Wheaton's qualities for bold and successful at- tack unsurpassed. .-OtiS.
 Gen. Miles View of the Situation.
 New York. June 21.-"The situation Tn the Philippines is very serious, " said Nelson A. Miles yesterday. ''I know nothing concerning the story that the war department is suppressing the news from Manila. But every body knows that things are very serious there. 1 do not care to discuss the Philippine matter. l am here on private business.
 Rear Admiral Watson Raises His Flag.
 Manila, June 21.-Rear Admiral John c. Watson arrived here to-day on board the United States transport Zatiro, from Hong Kong and raised his flag on the cruiser Baltimore. The com mandcrs of all the warships called up- on the admiral during the course or the day.