Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1899-03-30
AMERICANS CHASING FILIPINOS
NORrHWARD.
ENEMY NOW AT MALOlOS
Three Days Fighting Brings Our
Troops Within Ten Miles of Aguin-
aldo's Headquarters Intervening
Country Series of Entertainments
Marvellous Fighting Qualities.

Washington, March 2S.-The third
day of fighting north of Manila
brought little of a decisive character
from which the war department of
ficials could judge what the final out
come of this movement would be. In
all official quarters the most intense
interest prevailed, Early in the day
Gen. Otis cabled the war department
a brief but comprehensive dispatch
summing up the situation 1t dis
closed that severe fighting had been
going on all Monday, with our forces
advanced as far north as Marloa,
while the insurgents, under command
of Aguinaldo, We're being driven back
with considerable slaughter. This and
the press dispatches satisfied the Of
fcials that the stragetic movement of
''entrdppfdg me fiTstii yea q; b, s,.ss,s eaa
lines had not proven as successful as
designed, and the move has now shift
ed to a retreat by Agunaldo's forces
and pursuit by our troops. With the
American base advanced to Mariola
and the insurgent base forced back to
Malolos, the main body of the two OPP
posing forces are about 10 or II miles
apart. This could be quickly covered
in a forced march under fair condi-
tons. but 1t is II miles of innumerable
difficulties and obstacles 1t is eX-
peeted every mile of the distance to
Maloos will be contested by the in
surgents, for Gen Otis reports that 1t
is stretch of country covered
with intrenchments thrown up during
the last three months. Serious as the
work is, there is no lack of confidence
among the officials here as to a salts
factory outcome of the campaign The
tactics of Aguinaldo are taking him
gradually beyond the range of Admiral
Deweys guns. The duration Of the
battle is beginning to attract the atten-
ton of army strategists as it is a very
important element in determining the
strength of the men, supplies of am
munition, stores and the spirit of the
army
The first blow was struck before day
break last Saturday, and the lighting
continued all that day, again on sun
day and now on Monday. The reports
show little night fighting except the re-
pulsing of the insurgent attack Satur-
day night While the fighting has last
ed " hours, judged by the standard OF
great battles such as Waterloo, Plevna
and others mentioned by the army au-
thorities, this is a long and intensely
arduous engagement. But the fighting
about Manila is quite different from
the STANDARDS of civilized armies,
as it is running brush conflict, with
only an occasional issue between or
ganized bodies of troops. The main
question in these long continued fights
is to have all supplies, stores, etc, kept
abreast of the fighting force, 80 there
may be no exhaustion. In this respect
all reports from Manila are most graft
flying, showing that the quartermaster,
commissary, medical and signal stores
are we'll up with our fighting lines.
Dewey Buys Gunboats.
Washington, March 2S.-1 he follow
ing cablegram received by the war de-
partment has just been made public.
Manila, March l9.I have pur-
chased all the gunboats in the Phil
ippnes of Spain Ohirteen in number),
now at Zamboaga Half are in ser
viceable condition Payment in the
case is from the public fund upon de-
livery at Manila They will be sent
for this week. otis"
The gunboats referred TO are OF
light draft with armament OF small
rapid fire and machine guns and on &C
count OF their light draft will prove
Invaluable in the Philippine service.