The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-02-09
KANSANS ATTACKED AGAIN
FIRED on BY FILIPINOS FROM THE
VILLAGE OF CALOOCAN.
Details of Col. FunstOn's Dash After
sharpshOOters On Tuesday Night
Another Casualty List.

WASHINGTON, Feb S.-There was an
almost complete release to-day of the ten
sion under which the rapid occurrence of
events in the Philippines has held the OFF,
Gals 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 dispatch, which
was addressed to the War Department, and
dated Manila Feb. g, follows:
'The situation is rapidly improving. A
reconnaissance was made south yesterday
several miles to Laguna bay and southeast
eight miles, driving struggling insurgent
troops in various directions and encounter
ing no decided opposition. The in
surgent army is dsintegrated and ma
tives are returning to their vii
lagos displaying white flags. Near
Caloocan, six miles north, the enemy
made a stand behind intrenchments and
was charged by Kansas troops, led by Col.
Funston. Close encounters resulted in the
rout of the enemy with heavy loss Loss to
Kansas battalion, Lieutenant Afford killed.
six men wounded.
ION the 4th Agulnaldo issued a flying
proclamation charging Americans with the
initiative and declaring war ON Sunday he
issued another calling on all to resist for
eign invasion. His influence through this
tsection is destroyed and he now
applies for a cessation of HOSTILE
ties and a conference. / haSes- -.civs.
clned to answer The insurgent expectation
of rising in the city on the night of the
4th unrealized The provost marshal gem
eral, with admirable disposition of his
troops, defeated every attempt. The city IS
quiet, business resumed and the natives are
now respectful and cheerful. The fighting
qualities of the American troops have been
a revelation to all the inhabitants.
The statement that Aguinaldos influence
had been destroyed and that the Filipino
leader was seeking for a cessation of hos
tilties and for conference was most ac-
ceptable, and was interpreted as an admis-
sion that he had realized his terrible mis-
take. 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 knows just what General Otis intends
to impose in the way of terms.
NO INSTRUCTIONS TO OTIS.
Secretary Aiger this afternoon repeated
his statement of yesterday that he had
given the general no instructions since he
battle and saw no reason for giving any
He realized, he said, that General Otis, be-
ing 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, there
fore to do anything, he would be granted
permission Immediately. Should he ask
for instructions on any point" said Secre-
tary Alger "he will be told to exercise his
own discretion" In this view of the 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 mel here who know General
Otis's experience with the Indians that he
will make the laying down of arms the con-
dition of dealing with the insurgents at all,
and, if that condition is met, of course it
viii mean a speedy termination of the re-
belion.
The history of the iusurrection Of the Fill
pinos is said to be full of as many instances
of bad faith on their part as could be found
in one of our Indian campaigns The plea
of Aguinaldo is, therefore. likely to be left
with General Otis and it will be for him to
sion in good faith or nothing more than a
cunning device to gain time to reorganize
and remspirit the badly demoraized Fill
pinos. The news conveyed by General Otis
was received with great qualification as at
least holding out hope of more speedy
termination of hostilities on Luzon than
was expected after the first outbreak
There is no reason to believe that the
President has changed his policy respecting
the treatment of the Filipinos because Of
the battle, and it is believed that if they are
content TO profit by the severe lesson ad-
ministered to them he will be willing to re-
ceive them as erring children and treat
them with as great degree of lberality as
their state and a due regard for the inter-
ests of the United States and of civilization
viii permit
CONVERTING FILIPINOS.
1t is thought at the War Department that
the large number of wounded Filipinos in
the hands of the American forces. while
they will prove somewhat burdensome, and
make q heavy draft on the resources of the
medical department, will prove q good thing
in the end The wounded Filipinos cared
for in the American hospitals and fed with
American rations it is believed, will make
very effective missionaries when they re-
turn to their own people The idea of
wounded prisoners being carefully nursed
and cared for it is said. viii be a wholly
new experience to the insurgents. The sit
uation is likened To that existing in Cuba
before the assault on Santiago. The Span
ish prisoners captured at San Juan and
Caney said very frankly after the battle
that they would not have resisted with half
the determination they did mad they not
been repeatedly assured by the Spanish au-
thorities that the Americans never took
prisoners except 10 scalp and torture them
and that it was far better to die lighting IN