The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-04-07
From General Otis as to the State of Affairs
in the Philippines.
~SEEKINGAMERICAN PROTECTION
Many Philippines Returning to Their Homes-A guinaldosA Army Going
to Pieces-Encourasing News From Other Islands-Cuba Covered
by Network of Telegraph Lines-The So OOO oOOfor Pay of
Cuban Soldiers Likely to be Brought Back o Ae.
count of Action of Assemblv-Arival of
Transport With One Million Rations


Manila. April 3, $50 p. m.-The ma
tives continue returning to their homes.
They are coming in all along the Amer
incan lines and many Of them, seeing
the promises Of good treatment are
fulfilled, are inducing their relatives TO
return to their homes.
Major General Elwell S. Otis, COM
mander OF the American military forces
has received the following message:
Hearty congratulations on the most
magnificent work Of the army.
DEWEY"
The United States Philippine commits
sion, the last member of that body,
Colonel Charles DENLY, former minis
ter to China, having arrived here, will
discuss the situation. The commits
sioners are hopeful of a speedy restora-
ton of peace, believing hostilities will
soon be confined to the habitual revo-
%lutionists.
Brigadier General Harrison Gray
Otis sails for home on board the United
States transport Sherman today. He
says he believes the insurrection has
received it's death blow.
The Sherman will also hav on board
the sons of Colonel John Hay, secre-
AIRY of state, and Senator Hale, Of
Maine, who have witnessed much Of
the fighting with the army, and the
bodies of Colonel Harry c. Egbert OF
the Twenty-second infantry, killed on
March Goth, and of other officers who
have recently fallen in battle.
General Wheaton has assumed COM
mand of the brigade lately commanded
by Brigadier General Otis, the Third
and Twenty-second regiments of Cen
eral Wheaton's command returning to
this city. .
CHEERING NEWS FROM GENER-
AL OTIS.
Washington, April 3.-The follow
ing cablegram was received at the war
department early this morning:
Manila, April g., 1899.
"Adjutant General, Washington.
Present indications denote insurgent
government in perilous condition; its
army defeated, discouraged and scatter
ed. Insurgents returning to their
homes in cities and villages between
| here and points north of Malolos, which
I'LL accommodating parties have reach
| ed, and desire protection of Americans.
| News from Vizayan islands more en-
couraging every day.
OTIS"
The war department officials were
| pleased by the cheering dispatch from
General Otis received today. 1t con-
tains a great deal Of encouragement to
them and those who know General Otis
well say he is not a man TO take a rose
ate view of a situation unless there is
reason for it. 1t is argued at the de-
partment that the Philippines have
never been used to the kind of warfare
that the Americans have given them,
and for that reason they are now aware
that it will be impossible for them to
accomplish anything by fighting. While
their disappointment because the move
ment for the capture of a large force
, of the Philippines was lot successful
it is believed the pressing of the insur-
gents steadily toward the north, cap.
turing their capital and driving then
from place to place has had a very dis
couraging effect upon the natives whC
have been following Aguinaldo.
1t is evident, by the reference which
General Otis makes to accommodating
parties, that he is having the countr,
thoroughly covered and hat the infor
nation which they are giving him !!
the basis of the dispatch received to-
day. 1t is believed that desertion will
soon deplete the army of Aguinaldo Il
little or nothing. 1t would not tak'
long for an army Of the kind he hal
gathered to melt away and disappear IL
the mountains and jungles of Luzon.
That rortion of the dispatch relating
to the Vizayans refers to the operation
of which Iloilo is the base. The grouI
includes Panay, Cebu, Negros, Boho
an, others Of less Importance in tn.
same vicinity. The rebellion agains
United States authority was not yer!
serious in these islands, being stirred
by emissaries Of Aguinaldo at Iloilo
The constant defeat of Aguinaldo'
forces north of Manila has, no doubt
had a depressing effect upon other In
surrectionists.
NEW TELEGRAPH LINES IN CUBA
Havana, April 3.-The overland tel
egraph lines connecting Havana wit
Santiago were completed by the sigma
corps yesterday, placing the command
ing general in communication wit
every command and all the importan
towns in the island. The corps ha
constructed 200 miles Of line in sixt,
days. The trunk line extends from
Pinar de. Rio, through the center o
Cuba, TO Baracoa, the extreme eastern
port. Nine lines, north and south
cross the trunk lines.
BLOCKING PAYMENT OF CUBAN
SOLDIERS.
Among military men the talk 10 o
the denarture of the remaining vnlun