The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-04-25

WASHINGTON, April 24-The military
situation in the Philippines. as shown by
the latest mail advices received at the war
department, is summarized in the follow
ing statement, which was made public to-
day at the department.:
"On January I, 1890, the Instruction in
the part OF LuZon embracing the province
of Manila and the provinces to the north
of II had collapsed to the extent that or
ganized resistance to American control
had virtually ceased. A different state Of
affairs existed in Cavite, Batangas, La
guna and Tayabas. the provinces lying i'm
mediately south of Manila In this terri
tory. the richest and most populous OF the
island, the birthplace of Aguinaldo and
the rebellion, the insurgent troops were
still intact, and, In fact, had been strength
ened by accessions from the north, and as
regards equipment, discipline and cohesion
were equal. II not superior TO, any that
had been raised In support OF the insurgent
cause.
Work In Southern LuEon.
Gen. Otis committed the task of the de-
struction and dispersion of the forces
within this district TO two expeditionary
brigades, commanded respectively by Brig.
Gems. Wheaton and Schwan. In and about
the two towns of Bacoor and linus. in
Northern Cavte. there were and long had
been insurgent bodies Of considerable size.
some of which had actually besieged our
garrisons in those towns. These insurgent
bodies Gen. Wheaton's command attacked
and completely routed on January last.
schwan's Good work.
Further disintegration of the remnants
of these forces. giving it, so to speak, the
coup de grace'-of suppressing the in
surgent troops in the remainder OF the
four provinces, and of restoring, IL prac-
ticable, peace and order therein, fell to
the lot of Gen. Schwan's brigade. In the
course of Its campaign his troops COW
cred $50 miles, fought 80 combats and es-
tablished permanent garrisons in twenty
one towns within this district. 1t set out
on January 4, and its work was practi-
cally finished on February s.
Dealing with the Ladrones.
Not that all hostilities had ceased. On
the contrary. our troops have had and
still have frequent conflicts with the rob-
Der bands that were formed from the
disintegrated insurgent military organ
fzations, and who emerge periodically
from their hiding places In mountains and
thfckds to pounca upon inadequately
guarded wagon trains and small parties.
But concert Of action or cooperation, save
on very limited scale, was ended on
the latter date; the control exercised by
the insurgent leaders, except over their
small immediate following, was minim-
lied and their power for michief mater
tally reduced. II not actually wholly
broken. In the principal towns or centers
of trade and municipal government mill
tary forces, generally battalions, have
been placed. These forces operate with
In their spheres under their majors, for
the most part energetic young officers
holding lesser rank in the regulars, and
whenever necessary to cooperate under
their colonies, for the battalions OF a reg
iment are grouped In neighboring
places.
Outlook IL Favorable.
"On the whole. the outlook for the pa
cifcation of this district and other parts
of Luzon Is favorable. In their conflicts
with our troops the Ladrones are univer-
sally worsted Their defeats will become
more serious as our troops gain the con-
fidence of the Intelligent and property
owning classes; and when the latter be-
come unwilling to submit to the robbers
exactions and become willing to guide
our troops to their retreats. their doom
Will be sealed. To accomplish this OBJ
tect may take time, and It is possible
some OF the robber bands may be able
to maintain themselves during the COM
ing wet season. but their eventual de-
struction Is regarded certain"
Fighting I'm Mindanao.
Gen. Otis has cahled the following ac-
count OF recent engagements in the Phil
ippines:
Manila, April a.
Early on the morning of the It'll several
hundred Tagalos and visayans attacked
battalion OF the Fortieth infantry at
Cagaysn. north coast of Mindanao. Our
casualties two killed, eleven wounded: en-
emys loss. fifty-three killed. eighteen
wounded and captured In the city, besides
other losses suffered on retreat.
Heavy Loss Indicted ON Insurgents.
Young reports from Northwestern Luz
zon that several hundred natives, infu-
enced by Agninaldo's bishop. Agipak. at
tackled his troops at several points and in
turn had been attacked. Their loss in at
tack on Patoe, on the 18th inst. was i6s
killed, and during the entire lighting from
18th to nth. 1888 killed. Our loss during
period. two killed and four wounded
Young had plenty OF troops. and will have
little further opposition.
Affairs at LuEon points improving Lo-
cal presidents ana inhabitants OF towns
giving Information and rendering assis-
lance. troops now taking possession OF in