Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1899-05-25
REPORT OF GEN..
MAC ARTHUR
AS 10 the Operations During
FEBRUARY
PRAISES HIS SOLDIERS
Company NJ. of the First Montana was
Especially Singled Out
.-iIis Report.

Washington, May 24.-The secretary O.
war today made public a report from Maj
Gen. Arthur Macarthur, being one of The
reports enclosed by Gen. Otis II his owr
report Of the operations in the Philippines
which was in part submitted to the cab
met Yesterday. Gen. Macarthur covers
a period of time from the evening of Feb
1. Wien the insurgent outbreak began. to
Feb, IS. He gives a vivid picture of the
conditions prevailing in Manila and its
suburbs during the exciting times that
followed the initiation of the insulgent at
lacks. An important feature Of his report
is the demonstration of the responsibility
of the insurgents for the outbreak. He
also speaks n terms Of the highest praise
of the splendid qualities of American Of
icers and enlisted men. The secretary
today received by mail a detailed report
of the movements of MacArthur's divis-
ion in the Philippines, carrying the opera
tons into April. This report he took over
to the president. 1t throws considerable
new light upon the campaign. AS soon as
the president has had an opportunity to
examine it it will be made public, togeth-
er with the report of Gen. Otis, received
today.
Gen. Macarthur commanded the Sec
ond division Of the Eighth army corps,
which Includes the Twentieth Kansas
CFunston's conmand) and the Utah
battery. Gen. Macarthur mentions also
a little nava contingent in the shape
Of a Colt automatic gun, loaned by the
Helena, manned by Lieut.. Cleland
Davis, who volunteered with three ma
rines. Making a brief statement Of the
position Of the United States troops
in Manila and suburbs preceding the
outbreak Of February 4. Gen. MacAr-
thur comes to the incidents leading up
nacity Of the insurgents in passing
armed parties over the line Of delimi-
tation into American territory induced
a correspondence which in the light Of
the subsequent events, is interesting as
indicating with considerable precision a
premeditated purpose on the part Of
somebody in the insurgent army to
force a COLLISION
Gen. Macarthur addressed a note to
Col. san Miguel Of the insurgent army.
The not which has now become SO i'm
portant. and the answer are as follows:
"Sir:-The line between your COM
and my command has Been long es-
tablished end is Well understood by your
self and myself, It IS cutie necessary I'M
der present conditions that his line
should not be passed by armed men of
either command. An armed party from
your command now occupies the village
in front Of blockhouse No. Z, at a point
considerably moro than 100 yards on my
side Of the line, and is very active in ex-
hibiting hostile Intentions. This party
must be withdrawn to your side of the
.ine at once. From this date, if the line
is crossed by our men with arms in their
hands they must be regarded as subject
to such action as I may deem necessary.
Very respectfully.
"a RTHUR MACARTHUR,
Major General Commanding."
The answer is as follows:
'San Juan del Monte, Feb. 2, 1S99.-Maj
Gen. MacArthur: My Very Dear SIR
In reply to yours dated today in which
you inform me that my soldiers have been
passing in the line of limitation, fixed by
agreement, desire to say that this is for
eign to my wishes and I shall give imme-
date orders in the premises that they re-
/ tire. Truly Yours,
"sAN MIGUEL,
Colonel and First Chief"
Next came the disregard of the prom
Use which precipitated the outbreak, ant
this is described by General Macarthur
in the following language:
"At about $3.50 p. m, February 4, al
insurgent patrol, consisting Of four arm
ed soldiers, entered our territory a
~blockhouse No. Z, and advanced to tht
little village of Santol, which was occu'
| pied from the pipe line outpost of thu
Nebraska regiment. The American SEN
tinels challenged them twice n then
as the insurgent patrol continued to ad'
vance, he fired. whereupOnS the patrO
retired to blockhouse No. Z, whence fire
vas Immediately opened by the insur'
gent outpost at that point.
"At 9 .. m. Col. ~StOtsenburg, FRS
Nebraska infantry, U. S. A., reported
considerable firing at his outposts
which extended gradually along the en-
tire front Of the division. At 1910 p. M
it was evident hostilities had beer COM
menced in earnest by the insurgents ant
accordingly an order issued from these
headquarters to put everything on thu
which had been prearranged for such ar
emergency"
Continuing, the report shows that the
fighting progressed fercely all night
and the mex day the insurgents were
driven back from their whole line. Thu
Tennessee regiment and the South Da
kota regiments are particularly men.
toned as rendering good service. Say!
General Macarthur:
THE combat was characterized by
fine display of bravery of the troops
who were essential to the final success
achieved"
The affair of February Z is described
as an outpost affair, originating be
tween opposing sentinels n ending