Kansas City journal. [volume], February 06, 1899, Image 1

About Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928

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VQLT f 2f XLI. NO. 241.
MONDAY.
KANSAS CITY, FEBRUARY 6, 1899. -TWELVE PAGES.
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BATTLE AT MANILA
Long Expected Rupture Between
American Troops and Filipinos
Came Saturday Night.
FIERCE ATTACK
Heavy Fusillade on Both Sides, Artillery'Being Used,
and Admiral Dewey's Warships
Getting Into the Game.'
CHIEF AGUINALDO'S
American Loss Was Twenty Killed and 125 Wounded
Filipino Loss Not Yet Known, but
It Was Considerable.
Americans Captured Several of the Insurgent Positions Clash Oc
, curred After a Filipino. Had. Been Shot While-Trying to
Run the Picket Line Nebraska and Kansas
t ' Troops Distinguished Themselves-
Fighting Continued Un
WASHINGTON. Feb. 6. The following"!
'
dispatch was received at 1:15 this morn
ing: . -
"MANIL.A. Feb. 5. To Adjutant Gen
eral: Situation most satisfactory; no ap
prehension need be felt. Perfect quiet pre
vails In city and vicinity. List of casual
ties being prepared and will be forwarded
as soon as possible. Troops In excellent
health and spirits. OTIS."
MANILA. Feb. 5.-8:15 p. m. The long
expected rupture between the Americans
and the Filipinos has come at last. The
former are now engaged in solving the
Philippine problem with the utmost expe
dition possible.
The Filipinos attacked the American line
from Calvoocan to Santa Mesa last even
ing. There w-as heavy fusillade on b'oth
sides, and the artillery was used.
Denrey'a "Warships Took Part.
The United States cruiser Charleston and
the 'gunboat Concord bombarded the
enemy.
The, Americans, after magnificent
charges, captured several of the enemy's
positions.
The Americans lost twenty killed and 123
wounded. The Filipinos lost heavily.
The clas.li came at 8:10 last evening, when
AMERICAN ARMY LEADER,
Major Qeneral Otis, Commander
in the
BY FILIPINOS
TROOPS REPULSED
til Yesterday. ....,..
;i uj
three daring Filipinos darted past the Ne
braska regiment's pickets at Santa Mesa,
but retired when challenged.'
They repeated the experiment without
drawing the sentries' Are, but the third
time Corporal Greely challenged the Fili
pinos and then fired, killing one of them
and wounding another.
Almost immediately afterward, the Fili
pino line, from Calvoocan to Santa Mesa,
commenced a fusillade which was ineffect
ual. Americans Replied Vigorously.
The Nebraska, Montana and North Da
kota outposts replied vigorously, and held
their ground until reinforcements arrived.
The Filipinos, in the meantime, concen
trated at three points, Calvoocan, Gaga
langln and Santa Mesa.
At about 1 o'clock, the Filipinos opened a
hot fire from all three places simultaneous
ly. This waa supplemented by the Are of
two siege guns at Ballk-balik, and by ad
vancing their skirmishers from Paco and
Pandacan.
The Americans responded with a terrific
Are, but, owing to the darkness, they were
unabte to determine its effect.
Artillery Does Good Work.
The Utah light artillery finally succeeded
in silencing thej.na.tlve battery. The Third
of All the American Military Forces
Philippines. .
artillery also did good work on the extreme
left.
The engagement lasted over an hour.
The United States cruiser Charleston and
the gunboat Concord, stationed off Mala
bona, opened fire from their secondary bat
teries on the Filipinos' position at Calvoa
can and kept It up vigorously.
At 2:45 there was another fusillade along
the entire line, and the United States- sea
going, double-turreted monitor Monadnock
opened fire on the enemy from off Malate.
With dav light the Americans advanced.
The California and "Washington regiments
made a splendid charge and drove the
Filipinos from the villages of Paco and
Santa Mesa.
Kebraskans Were of Value.
The Nebraska regiment also distinguished
Itself, capturing several prisoners and one
Howitzer and a very strong position at the
reservoir, which is connected with the
water works.
The Kansas and Dakota regiments com
pelled the enemy's right flank to retire
to Calvoacan.
There was Intermittent firing "at various
points all day long. The losses of the Fili
pinos can not be estimated at present, but
they are known to be considerable.
The American losses are estimated at
twenty men killed and 125 wounded.
The Ygorates, armed with bows and ar
rows, made a very determined stand In
the face of a hot artillery fire, and left
many dead on the field.
Several attempts were made in this city
yesterday evening to assassinate American
officers.
Have Filipinos Had Enough!
MANILA, MONDAY, 9 A. M., Feb. 6.
The Filipinos have apparently reached the
conclusion that the Americans mean busi
ness, now that the barriers are removed,
as there were no further hostilities last
night, and no attempt was made to recover
the lost ground. It Is possible, however,
that they are 'following the tactic3 they
employed against the Spaniards, and will
merely lie off a few days to recuperate
I heir forces before returning to the attack.
It is Impossible to ascertain as yet' how
the news has been received at Malolos, the'
seat of the insurgent government, but the
Filipinos in Manila express the opinion
that the movement for independence has
received its death blow, and that annexa
tion will soon be welcomed generally.
London Post's Account of It.
LONDON, Feb. 6. The Morning Post
publishes the following account of the fight
ing at Manila:
The Immediate cause of the attack was
an advance by two Filipinos to the Ne
braska outpost, on the northeast of the
city. "When ordered to halt, they refused,
and tho sentry fired. An Insurgent signal
gun was then fired from blockhoute seven,
and an attack was immediately begun on
the Nebraska regiment.
The fighting soon spread on botli sides
until firing' was in progress on all the out
posts around the city. The American
troops responded vigorously, the insurgent
fire being heavy and the attack evidently
hurriedly planned.
Firing continued throughout the night
with an occasional cessation of from halt
an hour to an hour at a. time.
At daybreak tho warships Charleston and
Callao began shelling the north, side of the
city.
Their fire was followed later by that of
the Monadnock. on the southern side, tha
Insurgent positions having been previously
accurately located.
Losses Very Heavy.
The Filipino loss is reported to hae been
heavy. The wounded to the American side
are now estimated at 200. Few Americans
were killed.
The Americans began a vigorous advance
all along the line this morning (Sunday)
and were soon pressing back the Insur
gents in every direction, maintaining stead
ily their advanced positions and capturing
the villages of San Juan Del Monte, Santa
Ana. San Pedro. Macati. Santa Mesa and
Lomin.
The splendid police sjstem prevented a
general outbreak In the city, though sev
eral soldiers were attacked by natives In
the streets. Lieutenant Charles Hogan
and Sergeant "Wall were shot by three na
tives, the former being seriously wounded
and tho latter slightly. Lieutenant Colonel
CoKon was attacked by a native with a
sword while riding in a carriage to the
front. He killed his assailant with his re
volver. Colonel Smith Dies of Apoplexy.
A. sharpshooter within the American lines,
shot and killed a sergeant while he was
sitting at a window of the Second reserve
hospital. Colonel "William C. Smith died of
apoplexy.
Many of the Insurgents were driven Into
the Paslg river and drowned. Several hun
dred were taken prisoners.
In a subsequent telegram, the following
statements are made:
"Last night's (Saturday) and to-day's
(Sunday) engagements hae proved a veri
table slaughter for the Filipinos, their
killed being reported'as amounting to thou
sands. The American forces could scarcely
have been better disposed. It Is now known
that the attack was fully expected and that
every preparation had been made to meet
the contingency.
"Firing slackened at noon (Sunday), the
enemy being 'apparently demoralized.
"The American troops, however, are fully
equipped to meet a possible attack to-night.
"Agulnaldo's private 'secretary has been
arrested as a spy In Manila. Perfect quiet
now reigns In the city. More than 100
wounded Filipinos, taken from the trenched,
are being cared for In the American hos
pitals." First News Was From Deirer.
"WASHINGTON, Feb. 5. Admiral Dewey
to-day cabled the navy department that
hostilities had begun between the American
army and naval forces in and about Manila
and the Philippine insurgents. The in
surgents, he said, had been the aggressors
and had been repulsed.
The following message was received this
morning:
To the Secretary of the Navy, Washington.
Insurgents here inaugurated general en
gagement yesterday night which has con
tinued to-day. The American army and
navy is generally successful. Insurgents
have been driven back and our line ad
vanced. No casualties to navy.
DEWEY.
The following telegram, received at
9:50 to-night1 by the chief signal officer, is
the first news received from the army at
Manila:
Manila, Feb. 5.
To General Greeley, Chief Signal Officer.
Action continues since early morning;
lossesqulte. heavy; everything favorable to
our arms. ' THOMPSON.
Colonel Thompson is the chief signal offi
cer on the staff of General Otis.
Dispatches From Otis.,
The following dispatch from General Otis
has been made public:
Manila, Feb. 5.
To the Adjutant General.
Insurgents in large, force opened attack
our outer, lines at 8:45 B.tm last-evening.
Benewed attack several times during the
night- At 4 o'clock, this morning entire line
engaged. All attacks repulsed. At day
break advanced against Insurgents and
have driven them beyond the lines they
formerly occupied, capturing several vil
lages and their defense works; insurgent
loss in dead and wounded large; our own
casualties thus far estimated at 173, very
few fatal. Troops enthusiastic and acting
fearlessly. Navy did splendid execution on
flanks of enemy: city held in check and ab
solute quiet prevails; Insurgents have se
cured good many Mauser rifles, a few field
pieces and quick firing guns, with ammuni
tion, during the last month. OTIS.
Later, the following cablegram from Gen
eral Otis was received at the war depart
ment: - - Manila, Feb. 5.
Adjutant General, Washington: Have es
tablished our permanent lines well out and
have driven off the insurgents. The troops
have 'conducted themselves with-great he
roism. The country about Manila is peace
ful and the city -perrectly quiet. List of
casualties to-morrow. OTIS.
;evr Came Like a Shock.
The news came like a shock, for the
administration, though apprised that an
ugly situation prevailed in the Philippines,
had clung steadily to a hopo that, by tact
and .patience, actual fighting might be
averted, and een those public men who
felt that hostilities would follow should
the treaty be ratified and the United States
attempt to occupy the islands believed that
Agulnaldo would not force the fighting
when the treaty of peace was In Its most
critical stage. Some senatorial opponents
of ratification of the treaty adhere to their
position, but the general opinion In "Wash
ington to-night is that tho news from Ma
nila insures the ratification of the treaty
to-morrow afternoon.
It seems to be Dewej's fortune alwajs to
be able to report favorable news, and, like
all of his messages that have gone before,
this cablegram told of the success of the
American forces in the action. It was with
great regret, however, that the administra
tion learned that the Insurgents had forced
tho Issue. It had hoped all along that they
could be brought to see the advantages of
placing their trust In the Amerlcnn people
and rellng upon the president to deal just
ly with them.
Flighting "Was .ot Expected.
The adminfstration argued that, with the
Philippine commission fairly on the sea
en route for Manila, bringing with them
messages from the president and with the
peace treaty still unacted on, it was not to
.be credited that they would refuse to wait
to learn the purpose of the American gov
ernment but would precipitate the long im
pending conflict.
While this was true, the officials-here and
the officers In Manila had not been blind
to the threat contained In the situation
there, and every preparation has been
made for jusf what occurred last night.
It Is now acknowledged that fear of an
outbreak in Luzon was the explanation for
the much commented on failure of General
Miller to force a landing at Hollo on the
Island of Panay; Otis felt that he wanted
all of the troops at Manila, where was
located . the center of danger. Part of
Miller's force, therefore, was returned to
Manila and that general was left with one
regiment of regulars and a battalion of ar-
Hotel Victoria offers superior accommoda
tions. Rates, i2 and $2.50. O. B. Stanton, prop.
J Artlitle deconur. Htrrr E. Cramer. 12I Grind ve.
tlllery. just sufficient to take advantage of
any defection in his front, but not enough
to force his way ashore and hold his own.
Then, rather as a formal authorization,
for he did not need the Instruction, Dewey
was told to co-operate fully with General
Otis In any measures the latter might take.
Dewey Had Mnde Ready.
It is belleed that it was unknown to the
Insurgents, but some of the American war
ships were quietly moved Into positions
where they perfectly commanded the In
surgent trenches and defenses and could
shell them with effect in case of an out
break. Tills moement was effected more
than ten dajs ago, and the administration
has not felt serious apprehension of Gen
eral Otis' ability at least to hold his own.
The American position might have been
greatly strengthened, it Is said, by a judi
cious extension of tho lines In certain di
rections and also by taking summary meas
ures to prevent the operations of the in
surgents in taking up positions and organ
izing forces. President McKmley took the
view that perhaps under a strict construc
tion of tho terms of the protocol, which
still holds good in the absence of the ratifi
cation of the treaty, he lacked authority
to extend the field of occupation of the
Americans. The fact that the insurgents
themselves have been the first to break the
truce practically releases the United States
from further obligation in this respect, so
that General Otis was unquestionably war
ranted In the opinion of the administration
officials, in extending his lines as Dewey
reports he has done.
Diplomatic Phase.
The situation Is regarded here as rather
anomalous from a diplomatic standpoint.
Legally, the Filipinos are still Spanish
subjects. Therefore. If operations continue
outside of the limits of Manila, as laid
down in the protocol, it will amount to a
resumption of the war with Spain, at least
technically.
Officials noted one little flaw In Dewey's
dispatch, in which he spoke of the Ameri
can army as generally successful, con
veying just the least intimation that at
some points the results were not as satis
factory as at others. It Is Inferred here
that this might mean the development of
weakness at some of the more exposed
points on the American lines, which might
be easily explained by the fact that the
attack was made at night, perhaps in
places where the insurgents could creep
close up to the shelter of the tropical jun
gle that grows nearly Into the town of
Manila. Every confidence, however, is felt
that General Otis is master of the situa
tion. This confidence is based not only on
this morning's cablegram, but from re
peated assurances to that effect conveyed
by General Otis to Washington from time
ito time during the past few months.
General Otis' Command. '
Tho forces under his command, as shown
by tho records of the adjutant general's
office December 10. the date of the last re
port, were 21,619 troops and of these there
were present for duty 19,316 men. This
command is composed of the following'or
ganlzatlons: Company A. United States engineer bat
talion; Companies C. E. G. I, IC and L,
Fourth United States cavalry; troop of Ne
vada cavalry; Companies G, H. K and L,
of the Third, and D and G of the Sixth
United States artillery; Companies A and
D, of the California, and A and
B, of the Utah artillery, and the
First Wyoming battery; the Third and
Fourth United States Infantry; the Four
teenth and headquarters and Companies B,
D. F. H. I, K, L and M, of the Seven
teenth United States infantry; the Eigh
teenth. Twentieth and Twenty-third
United States Infantry; the First Califor
nia, the First Colorado, tho First Idaho,
the Fifty-first Iowa, the Twentieth Kan
sas, the Thirteenth Minnesota, the rirst
Montana, the First Nebraska, the First
North Dakota, the Second Oregon, the
Tenth Pennsylvania, the First South Da
kota, the First Tennessee, tho First Wash
ington and the First Wyoming regiments
of volunteer Infantry.
More Troops En Route.
A portion of this force, the Eighteenth In
fantry and a battery of artillery, are at
Hollo, where General Miller was sent a
month ago. Approximately 6,000 men are
on their way to join General Otis, in four
separate expeditions, though nono Is ex
pected to reach Manila for three weeks or a
month. There are the Fourth and four
companies of the Seventeenth infantry,
1,72S men, under General Law-ton, which
sailed from Gibraltar last Friday; the
Twentieth infantry, comprising 37 officers
and 1,263 men, under General Wheaton,
which left San Francisco January 27; the
Twenty-second infantry, in command of
Colonel Egbert, which left San Francises
early in the present month, and 2,000 men
and officers of the Third and Seventeenth
United States regiments of Infantry, which
left New York Friday on the Sherman.
Still Others Soon to Start.
There is a big transport, the Sheridan,
now making ready In New York to carry
the Twelfth infantry and a battalion of
the Sccnteenth Infantry, 1.S20 men in all,
and she will stnrt no later than the 14th
inst. That Is all that can be supplied to
'Geuoral Otis In the way of reinforcements,
according to General Corbln, If the soldiers
arc to be of service in this campaign. More,
of coure, will follow as rapidly as they can
be gotten ready if General Otis needs them
in any future operations he may plan, but,
ns already stated. It Is believed this par
ticular crisis will have passed before they
can be transported the great distance from
the United States to Manila.
'These troops, with those now In Cuba,
represent the cream of the American army,
according to General Corbln. It Is true
that only 3,00 of General Otis' soldiers aro
regulars, but his volunteer soldiers have
been under thorough discipline and train
ing for months, some as much as eight
months, and many participated in the en
gagements attending the capture of Manila
and are practically as good as the regulars.
General Airuinaldo's Army.
No one here knows the real strength of
the Insurgents opposed to General Otis.
The'accounts of their number are conflict
ing, and none of them comes from reliable
sources. Still, the best belief of the- au
thorities at tho war department is that
AMERICAN NAVAL LEADER.
sdSssU&fe. vHsssssssssssssssssssssssssssW
Admiral Dewey, Who Helped to -Make -Things-Interesting for the
Filipinos Saturday Night. f ... '
they number about 30,000 men, but they are
not comparable to the American forces In
personnel, discipline, or quality of arms. It
is known that they have some Mausers,
some Remingtons and a variety of other
firearms, and it Is suspected they have
been quite plentifully supplied with ammu
nition from outside sources. Taken as a
whole this armament Is decidedly Inferior
to that of the American 'troops. Then, with
Inexperienced officers, in many cases even
the colonels of regiments being not more
than 21 years of age, and their lack of
knowledge ot tactics they are at a, great
disadvantage. Their strong point is their
knowledge of the country and a certain
fanatical bravery in onslaught that would
be formidable to a volunteer force not well
trained to stand fire. Like .the Cubans,
they rely too much on a,sword;llke weapon,
corresponding to the machete, a weapon
of little value -against long-range rifles.
Altogether the war department officials
have not the slightest doubt of General
Otis" ability to hold his position indefinitely
and the only cause for apprehension is the
fear .that by taking to the interior or tne
country, practically. Impassable for Ameri
can troops in the approaching rainy season,,
a prolonged Indian fighting style of cam
paign may follow.
Dewey Must Be Reckoned "With.
Besides his soldiers. General Otis had
at his back in Manila bay. commanding
the city, a veritable Bock of Gibraltar In
Dewey's fleet. With the vessels he now
has, and those about to join him, Dewey
will have twenty-one ships of various
types. Of full-fledged warships he now
has nine, as follows: The flagship Olym-
pia, the Boston, Baltimore, Charleston.
Concord, Monadnock, Monterey, Petrel and
the Buffalo. He also has three armed
supply ships, which 'are just as effective
as a warship almost in attacking troops
outside of fortifications, and In maintaining
the blockade. They are tho Culgoa. the
Nanshan and the Zafiro. The vessels on
the way to join Dewey are the gunboat
Helena, now at Colombo; the Castine, at
Gibraltar; the Princeton, due at Port Said
Tuesday; the Bennington, tho Brutus and
the Yorktown, probably at Guam, on their
way to Manila; the battleship Oregon and
the water boat Iris, at Honolulu. The So-.
lace is about to start any moment from
Norfolk for Manila. This leaves out of
account the army transports under Otis'
command, which could be made of great
service.
The fleet cannot operate against troops
in the Interior, but undoubtedly Dewoy will
CHIEF OF THE FILIPINOS.
KrTfSntKnimKSKjtKtKBt. -
Aguinaido, the Insurgent.Leader Who xb.;HuotInj- Jrettbie, an ftr
UkelytoFJnd Pjqty3Ut.:ll-!rr.
draw a tight corden of blockading ves
sels around the Island of Luzon, and mako
a special effort.absoluteIy to cut off the in
surgents from the supplies and ammuni
tion which they'must have to carry on ths
war.
.Status of Ason.cf.lIa.
One of the'-first-steps of the adminis
tration upon "hearing of" the outbreak at
Manila was toglvs attention Jto the pres
ence In "Washington of Agoncillo. the ac
credited representative 'here or the Philip
pine insurgents. They would not say
whether or 'not any 'steps had been taken
looking to ills1 expulsion' from, the United
States or to his -arrest, but his status. 'it
can be stated, has"already beencthe sub
ject of a i careful "study. .The officials "have
been loath to disturb hlm.first because they
did not-care to martyrize' him unnecessari
ly and, secondly,' because they did 'not care
to expose .themselves to- the criticism that
they were Interfering improperly with the
supply of information and arguments re
specting the Phtijpj)lne-qneUoB while the
treaty was phdins7before the senate. -It
tejPosslble. hWeTfiriSihai tjjatrvpattance
U "now exhausted., believing fas Giey do.
that he has In some fashion been connected
with this outbreak-jand, that! at (may Be
aroused to .the jjolntjOf. action.! It was
said at the state department plainly that
Agoncillo was either a traitor ot a spy. If
rthe Philippines are-regarded, as. American
territory, then he is the representative and
active agent of an insurrection against the
United States, and as such, is a trator. IC
the Philippines are still, in normal Spanish
possession, then, as a state of war still
technically cxlstshe can be regarded only
as a spy. At thevery, least his presence
Is'highly obnoxious and there Is said to be
ample authority for his expulsion by presi
dential order.
t
Diplomats Deeply Interested.
Diplomats took a lively Interest in tha
news, realizing that the government of the
United States- win call upon very early to
see to it thatno-ald of any sort is rendered
.to the Filipinos, and that no filibustering
expeditions shall leave their son with mu
nitions ot war or supplies for the Insur
gents. Special precautions will be asked to
be taken at Singapore and Hong Kong,
principal points of the Eastern trade, to
prevent the dispatch ot vessels carrying
secret cargoes in aid of the insurgents. It
Is believed that, tho Interests- of other na
tions in a peaceful, state of things in the
East will cause them to exercise special
vigilance in this respect, a matter ot much
Importance In view of the great number and