The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-03-02
MESSAGES FROM
GENERAL ] OTIS
Transport A1ava Brings
Released Prisoners.
AMERICANS IN PARTY.
A Long List Of Casualties Sent to the
Department.
HEMP AND TOBACCO MOVING.
Tho Government Satisfied With the
Condition in the Isiands-Ten Men
ofthe Third Cavalry Ambushed
by tho Filipinos-Thc InsSr-
rsction About Over-Gen.
Otis TO Come Home.
HEMP AND TOBACCO MOVING.

MANILA. March ISIS P. MA hum
dred insurgents. seven miles from San
Eernandino Ia Union. ambushed ten men
of the Third Cavalary who were escort
ing provision train. The Americans
scattered, and while returning to camp
one man was killed. The insurgents
captured four horses and quantity OF
provisions.
y subsequent reconnaissance of the
locality developed the fact that there
We're entrenchments there and a force of
Filipinos. estimated TO number SEQ men.
The Third Cavalry is preparing to drive
the Insurgents out,
MANY PRISONERS.
The recently purchased naval tr2rs-
port Aava. sent to Rasay, in the Gulf
or Liberate for Spanish prisoners has
returned here, bringing 800 persons, in
cludinS priests, officers, soldiers, and
civilians, and ten Americans.
The navy officials being informed that
the prisoners We're earelessly guarded.
hurried the Alava to lsas;iy, manned by
twenty blue Jackets. Six officers of the
Brooklyn and fifty marines accompanied
the transport.
THREE MESSAGES FROM OTIS.
WASHINGTON, March Three cable
messages from General Otis We're ceeeiv-
Ell at the War Department to-day. One
contained a long list of casualties .teong
the troops in the Philippines since the
last report y second annuuuecd the az
rival AIT Manila To-day of Il government
transport from the East coast o. 'faya-.
bas province, with eight American and
fifteen Spanish soldiers lalely relieved
from captivity among the Insurgents,
The third message stated that since
the recent opening TO commerce of thu
Island ports. 13,CG0 tons OF hemp and
seventy thousand bales OF tobacco had
heen received at lan..a, ana tnat large
shipments OF the Commodities named will
soon be made to the United gates and
other countries.
MILITARY OPERATIONS.
The fact that General CTS has not re-
ported any military operations since the
departure OF General Bates expedition to
Southern IuHon TO complete the plan of
epe-iins THE hemp ports in that quarter.
is accepted by War Department officials
u; an indic;vtion tflzt the canpaisYl Is pfo-
crossing satisfactorily aad that our tnrces
have not met with any serious OPPOSITION
by the insurgents in recent movements.
Secretary Root has made positive de-
NAL of the published report that be is
worried at the long silence OF General Otis
in regard to- the military operations in the
Philippines and had cabled him to make
an immediate report of the situation. The
Secretary said that on the contrary he
was perfectly satisfied with the situation.
INSIsREECrION BROKEN.
The officials are confident that TIE
backbone of the insurrection is broken
and that there will be no further hostile
ties ON a large scale. and that affairs in
the archipelago Will be in fairly good
shape by the time of the arrival of the
Philippine Commission about the middle
of May for the proposed transfer of gov
jernment control from the military to the
civil authorities.
General Otis is expected to return to
the United States on leave of absence
soon after the arrival of the philippine
Commissions 1t is desirable that he should
meet the commission and give 1t the hene-
fit of his knowledge OF affairs in the Phil
iDDines.
General Macarthur will assume tenn
porary command OF the military forces on
the island when General Otis leaves.