The record-union., 1899-03-18

WASHINGTON, March 11.-There
was much reluctance shown at the War
Department to-day to discuss a cable
dispatch from General Otis which was
regarded as most important by those
who read it as indicating that hostili-
ties might cease very suddenly in the
Philippines, and a collapse of the in
surrection come at any time.
The reasons for the belief of General
Otis that a climax might come at any
hour were not stated, but his assump-
ton was based on the favorable reports
he had received from various sources
that the Filipinos were tired of the
war and Aguinaldos leadership. 1t is
believed at the War Department that
the method j, which the Americans
have conducted the fighting has done
much to convince the Filipinos of the
uselessness of trying to drive out the
United States forces. The fighting has
been of different character from that
to which they were accustomed when
the Spaniards were in possession of
Manila
General Otis cable has caused
great deal of qualification. 1T was sent
to the President at Thomasville. The
preparations that have been under way
to send further troops and supplies to
the Philippines have not been detailed,
however The light batteries which
General Otis requested in the cable of
last night will be sent, as they may be
useful in future operations and in case
of disturbances in distant parts OF the
island.
MORE PRISONERS CAPTURED.
pany G of the Washington Volunteers
has captured $50 additional prisoners
near Taguig, and also seized some am
nutrition. Most of the rebels arms
were hidden or thrown into the river
The engineers threw a temporary
bridge across the Pasig River for the
artillery and commissary trains.
The Twentieth Regiment will return
from the front to-day.
MOSQUITO FLEET FOR THE PHIL
IPPINES.
WASHINGTON, March 1.-THE
Navy Department is taking steps to-
ward the formation of mosquito fleet
for the Philippines. The conditions now
prevailing in Luzon indicate that for
long time it will be necessary to main
tain a strict police of the coast and
inland waters. For the inland work
especially the department will need
scme very light draft boats. For this
work the big ocean tugs that formed
the mosquito fleet that operated around
Cuba during the blockade, and of which
the Government has number, are now
being looked over with a view to just
this service. Some of them are on the
Pacific Coast.
The department has figured out
coasting voyage that will take them up
the Alaskan Coast, coaling at Sitka.
Unalaska,. Cooks Inlet and so down
through the Aleutian Islands to Hake-
dota, the northern point of Japan.
Thence they can make the run across
the China Sea, down to Hongkong, and
thence to the Philippines. 1t will be
about two-month's voyage, but one
that can be made safely.
Spain has had a large fleet of the
small gunboats and torpedo gunboats,
admirably suited for this work in the
Philippines, but Spain has recently sold
thirteen of them at Hongkong. 1t is
possible some of these vessels may be
Irepurchased by the Government in case
they are in good condition and can be
had for a reasonable sum. The tugs
destined for the Philippine service will
be armed with an abundance of ma
chine gums, and with heavier rapid fire
guns up to six or twelve Founders.