The Mena star., 1899-03-16
IHE MANILA CAMPAIGN.
Gen. Otis Will at Once Inaugurate Offensive Operations Against
 the Filipinos.
4 CLAIM FOR DOUBLE HEAD MONEY,
A Nice Point Being Considered by the Judge Advocate General of the Navy i Gen. Otis CabIed the War Department on the Preparation for Advance-Aguinaido'. Terms.

on the Sltumtion--Preparation for an
 Advsncs-Aguinaido'.T Terms.
 Washington, March 12.-It was posi- lively denied in the adjutant generals s office that any dispatch had been re- ceived last night from Gen. Otis re- garding conference with Gen. Law ton. It is well understood that Gen. Otis is only awaiting the arrival of the remainder of his endorsements to in- augurate an active campaign, though the department has heard nothing from him on this subject The war department according to it's officials, is awaiting with quite as much interest as the public some definite news from the Philippines which will show just how Gen. Otis intends to utilize Gen. Lawton and his endorsements in the campaign against the natives. Ithas been quite generally understood, without official confirmation, however, that Gen. Law ton, on his arrival would be assigned to active command of the operations in the field, leaving Gen. Otis more time for the administrative duties of military governor, in which position he corresponds to Gen. Brooke, in Cuba. The fact Is that none save very general instructions have been sent to Gen. Otis and the department ayers that it has not tied the commanding generals hands with any hard and fast orders. The probabilities are that Gen. Lawton will take very active part in the offensive campaign soon to begin. His training in Indian fight ing has peculiarly fitted him for his present command and Gen. Otis is well acquainted with his capabilities.
 Claim for Double Head Money.
 Washington, March 12.-The officers of Dewey's fleet have preferred a claim for double the amount of head money which it was at first believed they were entitled to rece i've as the result of the victory over. the Spanish forces at Cavite last May day. The law pro vides that $100 shall be allowed to the victors for each person on the captured or destroyed vessel. By that calculation almost $200, 900 would be divided among Dewey's sailors. But it is also provided that where the conquered force was superior to the attacking force, then the allow anee shall be S200 per head. While Dewey's claim is not based on any su- periority of the Spanish fleet, it is as- serted that that fleet, fighting in con- junction with the shore batteries at Cavite, did constitute a superior force in the meaning of the law. The point is new one and is now under con- sideration before the judge advocate general of the navy.
 Gen. Otis the situation.
 Washington, March l2 Gen. Otis cabled the war department last night and gave in detail the present situa- ton in the island of Luzon. The in- surgents, Gen. Otis said, have had a severe lesson and most of them would gladly lay down their arms but for the influence of the Filipino leaders, who are using every endeavor to keep the insurrection going. He says the time is now ripe for an aggressive movement and with the arrival of Gen. Lawton that movement will soon begin. A council of officers, Gen. Otis added. had unanimously agreed that sharp. rapid campaign in the interior would crush the rebellion.
 Preparations for an Advance
 Manila, March 12.-Extensive prepa- rations are being made for a general advance of the American forces. The movement will probably take place soon. All is quiet however, along the line. At daylight the rebels were caught working on enfilading trench at Caloocan and were shelled by bat tery. Desultory firing also took place at San Pedro Marcati. The United States cruiser Charleston has relieved the armed transport Buffalo off Paran. aque. The last batch of Spanish sol d.ers. numbering SS5 men, excepting q few who are in the hospitals, were ein parked on board the transport Euenos Ayres to-day.
 Aguna ldo's Terms.
 Madrid, March l2 -Aguinaldo, the Filipino leader, demands as a ransom for the Spanish prisoners cid by hin the sum of 1000. 900. or the surrendel of all the Spanish armaments in tn, Philippines and the recognition by tn, spaniards of the government of th' Philippine republic.
 A Narrow Escape.
 Thankful words written by Mrs. Ada F Hart of Groton, s. D.; Was taken witl a bad cold which settled on my lungs