The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-02-09
OTIS GIVES NO ANSWER
WILL PROBABLY DEMAND LAY
ING DOWN OF ARMS.
AGUlNALDO'S INFLUENCE DESTROYED
If Otis Asks for Instructions, he Will be Told
to Use His Own Discretion Speedy
End of the Outbreak Now
Expected.
Expected.

Expected.
Washington, Feb. S.-There was an
almost complete release to-day of the
tension under which the rapid occurrence
of events in the Philippines has held
the officials OF the Administration since
the first startling news from Manila
Saturday night. This was brought
about through the receipt of a bulletin
from General Otis summing up the latest
results of the fighting he has had with
the natives. The statement that
Aguinaldo's influence has been destroy
ed, and that the Philippine leader was
seeking for a cessation of hostilities and
for n conference was most acceptable.
and was interpreted as an admission
that he had realized his terrible mistake.
1t is entirely improbable that he will
be able to restore anything like the
status quo or to obtain anything like the
same terms as were possible last week.
No one here now knows just what Gen
eral Otis intends to impose in the way
of terms.
Secretary Alger this afternoon re-
he had given the General no instruc-
tions since the battle, and knew no
reason for giving any. He realized, he
said. that General Otis. being on the
ground and having proved his fitness.
was in better position to deal with the
situation than any one in Washington.
Should the General ask permission.
therefore, to do anything. he would be
granted it Immediately. SHOULD he ask
for Instructions on any point" said Sec
retary Alger, she will be told to exer-
else his own discretion
In view of this case. it will be seen
that no one here can tell at present
how General Otis will act toward
Aguinaldo's application. But the opinion
is expressed by men here who know of
General Otis experience with the In
dians that he viii make the laying down
of arms the condition in dealing with
the insurgents, if at all. That condition
being met of course, it will mean a
speedy termination of the rebellion.
AS FIGHTERS WE AMAZE THEM.
Washington, Feb. S.-The War De
partment to-day received the following
despatch:
Manila, February s.
noissance yesterday to south several
miles to Lagunade Bay, to southeast
eight miles, driving struggling insurgent
troops in various directions. encounter
ing no decided opposition. Army disin-
tegrated and natives returning to vii
lagos displaying white flag. Near Ca
loocan, six miles north, enemy made Il
stand behind entertainments. Charged
by Kansas troops led by Colonel Funs-
ton. Close encounter resulting in r0ut
Of the enemy with heavy loss. Loss to
Kansas, Lieutenant Afford, killed, six
men wounded.
"On the fourth Aguinaldo issued fly
ing proclamation, charging Americans
with initiative, and declared war; Sun
day issued another calling all to resist
foreign invasion His influence through
out this section is destroyed. He now
applies for a cessation of hostilities and
conference. / have declined to answer.
Insurgents expectation of rising i'll city
on night of fourth unrealized. Provost
marshal general with admirable disposi-
ton of troops defeated every attempt.
City quiet; business resumed natives
respectful and cheerful. Fighting
qualities Of American troops revelation
to all inhabitants"
THE FIGHT AT CALOOCAN.
Manila. Feb. S.-NoOn-Last even
ing as the Filipinos at Caloocan were
evidently massing for night attack
upon the American left wing. Compan-
les B. G and /, Of the Twentieth Kan
sas infantry. were ordered to attack
and drive the sharpshooters from a
bamboo jungle in front of the firing
line, where they had caused consider
able annoyance all the afternoon The
battalion charged brilliantly, driving
the enemy like chaff and penetrating
to the very heart of Caloocan.
First Lieutenant A. G. Afford. as
cabled last night, was killed while lead
ing his company He was shot in the
forehead.s Sergeant Jay Sheldon, Com
pany /, was seriously wounded Pri-
Yates Daniel Hewitt (HealittD, Ernest
Fritz, John Gillian and two others,
members of Company b, We're slightly
wounded.
Thirty dead Filipinos were counted
in the brush. and there were many
more wounded The gunboats Concord
and Callao kept up an incessant fire
from the bay, the Concord dropping
many shells in the town with telling
effect. In order to avoid accidents
from this source, General Otis was
Ampeled to recall the Kansas battal-
h. after burning the outskirts of the
vn. Either the shells of the Amesi-