On February 2 General MacArthur, commanding the Second Division of the Eighth Army Corps, wrote to the commanding general of the Filipino troops in the third zone in front of him that-- "'An armed party from your command now occupies the village in front of blockhouse No.

7, at a point considerably more than a hundred yards on my side of the line, and is very active in exhibiting hostile intentions.

This party must be withdrawn to your side of the line at once.

From this date if the line is crossed by your men with arms in their hands they must be regarded as subject to such action as I may deem necessary.' "Colonel San Miguel, who commanded at San Juan del Monte, replied upon the receipt of this communication that the action of his troops was foreign to his wishes and that he would give immediate orders for them to retire.

At about half past 8 on the night of February 4 a small insurgent patrol entered the territory within the American lines at blockhouse No.