Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1900-04-26
PHILIPPINE AFFAIRS.
Statement BY the War Department
Of the Military Situation.
CONFLICTS With ROBBER BANDS.


Washington, April 25.-The mill
tary situation in the Philippines, a
shown by the latest mail adyices re
ceived at the war department, i
summarized in the following state
department:
"On the LIST of January, 1900, tn
instruction in the part OF Luzon, I
l., embracing the province of Manil
and the provinces to the north of i
had collapsed to the extent that or
gained resistance to American con
troll had virtually ceased. A differ
ent state Of affairs existed in Cavite
Batangas, LaGuna and Tayabas, tn
provinces lying Immediately south o
Manila. In this territory, the riches
and most populous of the island, tn
birthplace of Aguinaldo and the re
bellion, the insurgent troops wer'
still intact, had in fact been strength
ened by accessions from the north
and as regards equipment, disciplin,
and cohesion were equal, if not SUI
perior, to any that had been RAISED
in support of the insurgeht cause
Gen. Otis committed the task of III,
destruction or dispersion of the forces
within this district to two expedi
tionary brigades, commanded re
spectively. by Brig. Gems. Wheat
on and Schwan. In and about tn,
two towns of Bacoor and linus, il
northern Cavite, there were ant
long had been insurgent bodies O
considerable size, some of which llat
actually besieged our garrisons il
those towns. These insurgent bodie.
Gen. Wheatoh's command attacked
and completely routed on January Z
last. Further disintegration of tht
remnants Of this force-giving it, sc
to speak, the coup de grace'-of sup
pressing the insurgent troops in thu
remainder of the four provinces, ant
OF restoring, if practicable, peace ant
order therein, fell to the lot of Gen
Schwan's brigade. In the course Of
its campaign his troops covered Csc
miles, fought 80 combats and estab
lished permanent garrisons in q
towns within this district. II sci
out on January 4, and its work was
practically finished on February s
Not that all hostilities had then
ceased. On the contrary, our troops
have had and still have frequent con.
fiicts with the robber bands that were
formed from the distintegrated in.
surgent military organizations, and
who emerge periodically from their
hiding places in mountains and
thickets to pounce upon inadequate.
ly guarded wagon trains and small
parties. But concert of action OF
cooperation, save on a very limited
scale, was ended on the latter date;
the control exercised by the insur-
gent leaders, except over their small
immediate following, was miniinized
and their power for mischief ma
terially reduced, if not wholly broken
In the principal towns, or centers OF
trade and municipal government
military forces, generally battalions
have been placed. These forces oper.
ate within their sole spheres under
their majors, for the most part en-
ergetic young officers holding lesser
rank in the regulars, and whenever
necessary cooperate under their col
onels, for the battalions of a regi-
ment are grouped in neighboring
places.
On the whole the outlook for the
pacificaton of this district and other
parts of Luzon is favorable. In their
conflicts with our troops the Ladrones
are universally worsted. Their de-
feats will become more serions as
our troops gain the confidence OF
the intelligent and property-owning
class; and, when the latter become
unwilling to submit to the robbers
exactions and become willing to
guide our troops to their retreats,
their doom will be sealed. To &C.
complish this object may take time,
and IT is possible some of the rob-
Der bands may be able to maintain
themselves during the coming wet
season; but their eventual destruc-
ton is regarded as certain"
Dispatch from Gen. Otis.
Washington, April 25.--Gen. Otis
has cabled the following account OF
recent engagements in the Philip
pines: early on the morning Of the
18th, several hundred Tagalos and
Vizayans attacked the battalion oil
Fortieth infantry at Cagayan, north
coast of Mindanao; our casualties
were two killed, II wounded; enemys
loss, 50 killed, IS wounded and cap.
tured in city, besides other losses
suffered on retreat. Young reports
from northwestern Luzon that sew
eral hundred natives, influenced by
Aguinaldo's bishop, Aglipak, attacked
his troops at several points and in
turn had been attacked. Their loss
in attack on Patoe, 18th instant, 100