New-York tribune., 1900-01-02

THE M4R4QJINA VALLEY CAMPAIGN.
The killing of General Lawton within fifteen
miles of the capital city of the Philippines has
been camorously seized upon by the anti-im-
perialist organs TO enforce their plea that the
insurgents are no nearer subiugation than they
were at the outbreak of Agunaldo's rebellion.
They make an object lesson of Lawton's death
in an engagement within hearing of the Amari-
can military headquarters in proof that bloody
war is waging, Notwithstanding recent official
assurances that the war was about over. I hey
appear TO argue from this event that in Fact it
has only just begun: that our forces have made
little or no progress. and hence must eventually
fail and should al once be called off
OF course the killing of an American general
in actual combat is evidence that hOStilities
are still maintained. which has not been denied,
but its occurrence so near to Manila is of no
consequence. 1t is far from signifyng that cur
arms have made no progress, or that the rebels
are not even now in straits, or that they
conQuerable. The fact that a small force Of
Aguinaldo's irregularS had continued 10 hold
this advanced post cannot be set down TO their
invincbity; it simply means that in the STRAIT
egy of the campaign no decisive attention has
been paid TO them and their whereabouts. Diff
cult of approach from natural obstacles, and
meanwhile not being a threatening quantity TO
the military cOWDlDaiiOuS Dt1uS prosecuted III
other quarters. they had been left to themselves
until a more oppOrtune time came to drive them
hence Then again the topography of the Mara
auina Valley seems 10 have sinGularly favored
its unopposed occupancy by the enemy being
protected on both fianks by high. rocky hills,
and in front 10y almost impcnetrable iungIeS.
For these reasons il was very defenSible. he
sides having back door through which 10 get
off in case of disaster
The valley. it should be remembered also has
been penetrated several times by General Otis's
detachments. though evidently without any in
tention of holding ii permanently. Upon their
withdrawal the enemy resumed his former posi-
tion. But having scattered Aguinaldos forces
on the north. il appears that General Otis finally
turned his attention 10 cleaning out this valley
and holding il securely. Ii was with this pur-
pose in view that General I-awton attacked san
Mateo on the 18th. The fact that this move
ment was undertaken with no more than 1900
or 1900 men of all arms is strong proof that
the power of Geronimo the rebel chief in the
Maraquina Valley. was held not in foolish con-
tempt. but at least very cheaply by so able and
experienced a soldier as General Lawton. The
ease too. with which san Mateo was occupied
demonstrated tine correctness of Lawton's esti-
mate while the cheapness OF the success. aside
from the killing OF Lawton himself. which may
be set down as an accident Of war. is sufficient
testimony that the Filipino hold upon the valley
is at best uncertain. besides indicating in some
sort its secondary strategical Importance 10
either side in the contest
In short the enemys indetermnate posses
sion of an Isolated hidden point so near Manila
had neither military nor political significance
II seems TO have been Of no advantage TO Agu-
naIdo's cause He was elsewhere. 1t has no
more inenaced American success than the un-