The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-03-02
NEST OF INSURGENTS FOUND.
PARTY or AMERICANS AMBUsHEu
AND ONE KILLED.

Third Cavalry VIII he sent to Drivs
Them Out--Gen. Otis Is Coming
HOME. II Is Said, on IA Leave of Ab-
sence--NTacArthur VIII Take His
PIace-ROOt Says He Was Not Wor-
ried - Three Messages Received
From Gen. Otis.
Manila. March IA hundred insurgents
seven miles from San Fernando de la Un-
ion ambushed ten men of the Third Cav-
airy, who were escorting a provisions
train.
The Americans scattered, and while res
turning to camp, one man was killed. The
insurgents captured four horses and a
quantity OF provisions.
A subsequent reconnaissance OF the 10.
callty developed the fact that there were
entertainments there and force of Fill.
pinos estimated to number SEQ men. The
Third Cavalry is preparing to drive tho
insurgents out.
The recently purchased naval transport
Alava sent to Ragay, in the Gulf OF Libs
crate for Spanish prisoners, has returned
here, bringing 500 prisoners. including
priests, officers soldiers and civilians and
ten Americans.
The navy officials being Informed thaa
the prisoners were careessly guarded,
hurried the Alava to Ragay manned by
twenty blue Jackets. Six officers from ths
Brooklyn and fifty marines accompanies
the transport.
Three Messages From Otis.
Washington, March 1.--Three cable mes@
sages from Gen. otis we're received at the
war department to-day,
one contained a long list OF casualties
among the troops in the Philippines since
the last report.
"A second announced the arrival at Ma.
Mia to-day of government transport
from the east coast of Tayabas provinces
with eight American and 40 Spanish soi-
diers recently relieved from captivity
among the insurgents.
The third message stated that since pha
recent opening OF commerce of the island
ports, 1900 tons of hemp and 10000 bales
OF tobacco had been received az Manila
and that large shipments of the com-
mOdities named win soon be made to the
United States and other countries.
The fact that Gen Otis haA not reports
ed any military operations since the de-
parture of Gen. Bates expedition TO South
the hemp ports in chat quarter. Is accept
ed by the war department officials as an
Indication thaf the campaign is progress
ing satisfactorily and that our forces have
not met with any serious opposition by the
insurgents in recent movements.
Root Makes Denial.
Secretary Root has made a positive de-
nial of the published report that he is
worried at the long silence of Gen. Otis
IN regard to the military operations in
the Philippines and had cabled him tn
make an immediate report Of the situa-
tion. The Secretary said that ON the cons
trary he was perfectly satisfied with the
situation.
The officials are confident that the backs
bone of the insurrection Is broken and
that there will be no further hostilities ON
a large scale, and that affairs In the
archipelago will be In fairly good shape
by the time of the arrival of the Philip
pine Commission, about the middle Of
May, for the proposed transfer of govern
ment control from the military to the civil
authorities.
Otis Is Coming Home.
Gen. Otis Is expected to return to the
United States on leave of absence soon
mission. 1t Is desirable that he should
meet tho commission and give 1t the bene-
fit of his knowledge of affairs in tho
Philippines.
Gen. Macarthur will assume temporary
command of the military forces on the iss
ands when Gen. Otis leaves.