The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1899-04-27
DEFENDING COLUMPIT.E
AguinaIdo's Forces Are Fighting Wig
orously.

AGuInaIuO's FOENes hhS -
orously.
Manila, April 26-6.10 p. m.-Aguinal-
dos arm today Is defending Calumpit
energetically, which is said to indicate
that the rebels are finally making that
place their last ditch or stand, which the
Americans expected them to make at
Maloios
For the first time the FilipiDos are EN-
ploying artillery. They brought two
guns into action in the trenches today
before Calumpit. firing modern shrapnel
which burst over the heads of Gen.
Wheaton's men without effect.
The fighting was resumed at O'Clock
this morning. During the night the
Americans engineers repaired the bridge
thus enabling our troops TO cross the
river, Gen. WheatoD's brigade advanced
in extended order with the Kansas regi-
mept to the west of the railroad. and the
Montana regiment to the east, and took
up position covering. one and half
miles on the south bank OF the river.
On the opposite bank We're fortified
trenches from which few Americans
soldiers would have been able to defy
thousands SO strongly were they con-
1uty iodhd tho tApAShSo va sAA'
south bank deserted.
Gen. Macarthur has secured an order
issued by Aguinaldo to the rebel com
manders, telling them to Instruct their
men to economize their fire, save the
empty shells and not to fire at the enemy
when the latter Is under cover. Ihe
| Ftlipinos are also Instructed never to
fire at a longer range than 100 metres
and, when they have II river or other
| obstruction In front to hold their fire un-
| til within 50 metres. This orcer was is
| sued after tbs recent encounters between
the Filipinos and the Americans,
Gen. Lawton is meeting with the great
est obstacles in the character OF the
country. His troops have had only few
skirmishes thus lar, resulting In five OF
his men beingwounded. But he has been
| forced to put his men at work building
roads and the transport service Is giving
much trouble, bullocks dying OF the heat,
and exhaustion, and Cinnamon having TO
| be employed IN pulling some Of the carts.
Iher efore the general mas been unable to
cover the ground he hoped to cover.
The natives flee before the expedition,
| but they swarm back to their huts as
| soon AS the American troops have passed.
A few Filipino sharp shooters are har'
RAISING the American flanks. The com
missary department is preparing to send
ut more rations under strong escort to
| the front.
The United States transport Zealandia
| from San Francisco, March 70, having Oh
board several companies of the 9th infan'
| try and large quantity Of supplies, ar
rived here TO-DAY alter an uneventtul voy
age. Her troops are now oamped on the
| water front
The United States transport Sheridan
sails for home tomorrow. She will take
among her passengers, Gen. Charles
King, and Mrs. Col Stotenburg, who Ii
conveying her husbands BODY to the
| United States The Sheridan has also OF
| board sc veral officers families who find
Manila an undesirable residences.
NO NEWS FROM OTIS.
Washington. April 26.-At the close OF
office hours tonight Secretary Alger said
| that the department had not received d
word from Gen. Otis today. The depart
ment's information consisted wholly o!
| the Associated Press dispatches, but the
| feeling seemed to be that the American
forces were meeting more resistance than
anticipated Secretary Alger said there
aad been no change in the programme
not to call for $4,000 volunteers autho
rized by the act of March ,.