The record-union., 1899-04-23
LAWT0N AGAIN TAKES THE FIELD
TRAVERSING COUNTRY REOC-
CUPIED BY REBELS.
Encounters the Enemy Near Nova
Hches, Putting 1t to Flight,
Leaving Many Dead.

| MANILA, April 22-7 p. m.-General
Lawton took the field at daybreak to-
day with a column of troops consisting
of the North Dakota Regiment, two
battalions of the Third Infantry, the
Twenty-second Infantry, two guns Of
Scott's Battery, three troops of the
Fourth Cavalry and Gates squadron,
equipped in light marching order This
force started at 5 o'clock this morn
ing over the Novaliches road, traversing
the country previously cleared Of rebels,
but subsequently reoccupied by them
1t is to be presumed that General Law
ton by this movement will outf1ank the
enemy before Joining General MacAr-
thur north of Novaliches.
The Dakota Regiment first encoun-
tered the enemy in front Of Novaliches
at a. m. The rebels opened fire on our
troops, but their fire was siIenced fifteen
minutes later, the enemy retiring in bad
order. and the Americans advancing
along the rough roads around Nova
liches. They We're considerably an
noyed by the fire of the rebel sharp
shooters from the jungle for two hours
AT o'clock in the afternoon the reb-
els were in full flight leaving many
dead on the field, and our troops We're
compelled to take a brief rest in the
shade.
WASHINGTON, April 22-The War
Department to-day received a cable
gram from General Otis announcing
the formation of a new flying column
under command of General Lawton
and the initiation Of a new campaign
which is expected to result in clearing
out the jungle in the country north of
Manila UP to- the foothills of the mount
aims ON the northeast, and up to the
termination of the railroad at Bulucan.
The text Of the dispatch was not made
public, but it is understood to agree
closely with the account of the move
mentS contained in the Associated Press
dispatches from Manila.
REPORTED CONSPIRACY DENIED.
WASHINGTON, April GA Cabi-
net officer is authority for an absolute
denial of the story that the Cabinet
yesterday discussed an alleged conspir-
acy in this country to weaken the
United States in the Philippines.
Secretary Hay in a direct reply to a
question, said the statement was err
roneous that the Cabinet had been
charging any person or set of persons
In the United States with treason. That
was as far as he cared to make any
statement
Inquiry develops that the probable
basis for the story is some exchanges
OF opinion that have been taking place.
not only among Cabinet officials. but
| among the close friends of the Admin
istration ever since the submission of
| the peace treaty to the Senate for its
action to the general effect that the
delays being imposed ito speedy action
upon the treaty We're harmful. 1t was
said that great encouragement had been
given to Aguinaldo by the attitude of
the opponents of the Presidents policy
among American public men Since the
conclusion of the peace negotiations and
the exchange of ratiications. there have
also been some expressions on the part
of the adherents of the Presidents pol
icy as to the i'll effect upon the public
and soldiers not actually at the front
of frequent publications of letters from
dissatisfied volunteers in the Philip
pines. 1t is said that the expressions
were rather in the nature of regrets
than of complaints, but, as summed up
by Cabinet officer, there has been no
disposition to attach personal blame to
individuals.