Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1899-03-24
DECISIVE BATTLE
EXPECTED SOON
If Filipinos Are Defeated They Will
Disappear in Swampsand Noun
tains of Interior.
CAN NOT STAND
BAYONET CHARGES
Rebels Massing for Desperate and Final
Stand Against Americans-Escaped
Spanish Prisoners Gave Valuable
Information Concerning
Conditions,

Manila, March 24-Two Spanish pris-
oners who escaped from the rebels at
Polo to the lines of the Kansas regi-
ment report that the Filipinos have con-
centrated their forces at Malabon and
Polo. They add that only Aguinaldo' s
body guard is at Malolos, and the rebel
leaders apparently intend to stake their
fortunes on fight at Malabon, where
it was expected an engagement would
take place yesterday. If defeated, it is
asserted, the rebels intend to disperse
to the swamps and mountains. The reb-
els We're putting their Bolos in front, be-
lieving the Bolo mems charms will
avert the bullets. BClo men of the Fill
pinos greatly outnumber the riflemen in
their ranks The rebels are further said
to have admitted they cannot with
stand American shells and bayonet
charges. The escaped Spaniards corrob-
Grated the stories Of food shortage
among the rebels, and stated that hos
pitfalls are short of supplies.
WILL MAKE A DESPERATE STAND
The rebels are heavily massed in
trenches opposite our lines on the north.
Aguinaldo evidently believes a blow
will be struck soon at Malolos, the Fill
pino capital. Prisoners brought in with
in "a hours say the rebels will make the
most decisive stand they have yet
taken. The second line of defenses oc-
1>,, No Ir,lc I,o{, Co NTn
teo and Mannaliches. There are rows of
trenches there, and an advance by
American troops can only be step by
step, with resistance to be expected at
every trench.
The enemy is active in the vicinity of
Malabon preparing defenses. They keep
well under cover. A small body emerged
from the jungle yesterday and fired up
on the Kansas troops in the trenches,
fatally wounding Privates Cohen and
MUIR. The Oregon volunteers and 22d
infantry marched to the front to-day.
General H. G.. Otis brigade struck it's
tents this morning, and an early move
is probable.
A LARGE SIZED HEN ON.
Washington, March 24--It is under
stood here that General Otis, within a
week or 10 days, will begin the move
ment which is expected to mark the de-
structon Of Aguinaldo's army. AL
though stragglers and fugitives may in
fest the island of Luzon for some time
it is believed after Otis delivers his next
blow the insurgent army as an organi-
zation will have ceased to exist Otis
has procured 13 gunboats formerly
owned by the Spanish government
which are to play an important part in
the development of the campaign.
Many troops engaged on the outer lines
up to the date of General Lawton's ar
rival at Manila have been withdrawn to
the water front, and a complete reor-
ganization of the army is in progress.
Re-enforcements now arriving are be-
ing used to maintain the strength of
lines running from Manila to Pasig, es-
tablished by Wheaton's flying brigade.
1t is believed Otis will place complete
brigade on board of vessels, steam rap
idly northward, and land them beyond
the nsurgent headquarters at Malolos.
If this movement succeeds, as it should,
If made with rapidity the insurgent
army will find itself completely penned
in, with no opportunity for retreat. If
this plan is carried out the insurgents
can not avoid a decisive conflict, which
must end either in their breaking
der. 1t is evident that Otis expects the
latter, for he already advises the war
department that the insurrection can
not last much longer.