The Irish standard., 1899-02-25
WILL PUSH THE WAR
Campaign Against Filipinos to Be
Prosecuted with Vigor.
DECISION OF THE ARMY OFFICIALS.
The Striking of Decisive Blow lie.
fore the Rainy Season Sets In Felt
to BE Necessary In Order to
Save Our Troops.

Save Our Troops.
Washington. Feb. 23.-'rhe aithori-
ties here are giving close attentions to
the daily developments in the military
situation in the Philippines, and have
decided TO push the campaign against
the rebellious followers of Aguinaldo
with energy. Every casualty report
that comes from Gen. Otis notes the
wounding or killing of some of the
American troops by what are practical
ly sharpshooters on the other side. The
insurgents apparently have learned
that they cannot hope to cope with
American troops on anything like even
terms in regular set battle, and from
now on they are expected to rely upon
the harassing tactics they have plac-
ticed for the past ten days. The main
body of the insurgents have now fallen
back we'll out of line of effective range
of the gunboats, but as the American
troops have been obliged to extend
their lines in order to protect the water
works and to take advantage of the nat
ural Typographical defenses of Manila
the troops are exposed to the fire of
these guerrillas without an opportunity
to retalate, for the enemy fees before
an advance in force. This was, after ALL
about what was expected by the war
department officials, and that was why
in sending reenforcemcnts to Gen. Otis
they made it point to send as manyof
the regular troops as possible who had
been used to Indian fighting in the Bad
Lands of the west. Gen. Lawton, who
goes out to take command OF these
troops, is an old Indian fighter, and
soon after these troops arrive within
two or three weeks, a forwardcampaig
will begin, and Il heavy blow be struck
that will keep the insurgents quiet dur
ing the rainy season, if it does not bring
about their immediate surrender. It's
felt to be necessary TO do this. in order
to avoid the hardships to which The
American troops otherwise would be
exposed during the torrential rains,
which will make life in outside iptrcnch
ments almost impossible for civilized
troops.
Fire and Fighting.
Manila, Feb. 23.-There was an out
break of incendiarism. accompanied by
fighting, i'll Manila Wednesday evening.
The casualties were few, but the prop
crty loss is enormous
Accepts the Situation.
Hong-kong. Feb. 23.-Aguinallo has
issued a manifesto accepting the situa-
ton caused by the "unexpected provo
cation of the Americans" while Ia
menting the hostlities. which, he says,
he ''tried to avoid by every means in
his power" making humiliating conccs-
sons and celebrating insults and out
RACES Of the army Of occupation against
the people of Manila He adds that
he is prepared to sacrifice everything
to maintain the integrity of the ma
tional honor" calls on all "to witness
the good faith and honesty" of his in
tcntions and complains that he has
been treated as a rebel 'because he de-
Tended the national interests instead of
becoming the tool Of the American pre-
posterous pretensions."
The rebel leader further alleges that
the country is unanimous in his sup
port, that the people Twill perish rather
than accept the odious American do
minion," and alleges that "even the
corrupt Spanish dominion is prefer
able" 80" s.,
The Philippine commission is con-
sidered by Agunado to be a farce and
Otis, DENLY, Dewey and Secretary
Harden are classed as pronounced
annexationists," the latter being
charged with having "malciously de-
famed the Filipinos in newspaper re-
ports" He is classed as being especial
ly "obnoSious TO the Filipino govern
ment."
Finally, Aguinaldo expresses the
wish to ''proclam to the world and Of
ficially dispel the false report that
Germany or any other power has rem
dercd assistance, moral or material, to
the Filipinos,' adding: Nor have the
Filipinos solicited it,"
The Flag Over Negroes.
Manila, Feb. 23.-While the guns on
the city walls and those on board the
ships of Rear Admiral Dewcy's fleet in
the bay fired a salute in honor of Wash
ington's birthday four commissioners
from the island of Negroes had an in
terview with Maj. Gen. Otis and in
formed him that the American flag had
already been raised over that island and
that its inhabitants were ready anx-
ious and willing to accept any propo-
sition the Americans might offer. The
insurgents have been driven from the
island entirely. Although the loilo
rebels have given the people of Negroes
much trouble, especially in the matter
of financial assistance demanded by the
rebel leaders, the inhabitants of Negroes
have persistently held aloof and now,
through the commissioners, announced
they wanted the advice and the help
of Gen. Otis. The latter assured them
that the Americans would provide an
acceptable government, and in the
meantime he instructed them not to
pay the rebels anything. The Negroes
commissioners were delighted with
their reception.
'rnlcdn Eenrs EInn.y