The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1899-03-28
Believed by the Officials In Wash
ington That the Rebels WIN
Make a Desperate Stand.
OTIS PLANS UNSUCCESSFUL
Instead of cornering the Flllplnos the
Campaign Has Become a Chase
-Liae-up Of Troops.

WASHINGTON. March E.-The third
day Of the lighting north Of Manila
brought little Of a decisive character
from which the war department oficials
could Judge what the final outcome Of
this movement would be.
In all official quarters the mOSt intense
Interest prevails. but there was no ex-
cltement and none Of that anxiety and
tension shown during the memorable
days Of last summer, when decisive
blows were being struck at Santiago.
Early in the day General Otis cabled the
war department brief but comprehen-
siye dispatch summing up the situation.
Il disclosed that severe fighting was go
ing on today. with our forces advanced as
far north as Marlloa, while the insur-
gents, under command Of Aguinaldo. were
being driven back with considerable
slaughter. This and the press dispatches
satisfied the officials that the strategy
movement Of entrapplng the insurgents
between our lines had not proved as sue
cessful as designated, and that the move
had now shifted TO a retreat by Aguinal-
dos forces and pursuit by our troops.
The lnsurgent retreat toward Malalos
was slow and dogged, and advantage
was taken OF one after another OF the
lines Of entertainments, the burning Of
bridges and the interruption Of communl-
cations. General Otis dispatch summed
up the work Of three days. That the fight
ing would proceed into the fourth day
was shown by his closing sentence;
'The column will press on in the morn
ing"
This refers to Tuesday. The engage
ment has now shaped itself so that 1t is
looked upon as more Of chase than the
execution OF a strategic movement. With
the American base advanced to Mariloa,
and the insurgent base forced back to
Ndalolos. the main bodies of the two OPP
posing forces are about 10 or Il miles
apart. This could be quickly covered in
a forced march under fair conditions. but
ia Is l2 miles OF innumerable difficulties
ana obstacles. which our troops must
cover before they reach the insurgents
stronghold.
II is expected that every mile of the
distance TO Malolos will be contested by
the insurgents, for General Otis reports
that 1t is a stretch Of country covered
with intrenchments thrown up during the
last three months. Malolos is the insur-
gent capital and represents more TO the
insurgents than any other place in the
Philippines, and little doubt is enter
tained that they will make desperate
stand there. Maloios is about seven
miles back from the bay. although there
are shallow estuaries, which would per-
nit light draught boats TO get within a
mile or two.
The belief is expressed at the war de-
partment that the Fihpinos are manufac-
turing the ammunition that is being used
with such recklessness When General
Green was in the Philippines he went TO
Filipino camps and remained some time.
His report to the president shows that
the Filipinos had established factory
for the manufacture of ammunition for
these rifles, and this factory probably is
sill in operation and furnishing a suf-
ficient supply to the insurgents.
The following cablegram was received
by the war department on March l9, and
has just been made public.
Manila, March lS-Adjutant General,
washington-Have purchased ali the
gunboats in the Philippines of Spain-1S
in number now at Zamboanga. Half
are in a serviceable condition. Payment
in cash from public funds upon delivery
at Manila. They win be sent for this
week. OTIS"