The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1899-06-27
. Long Report Received a
Washington from Gen
eral Otis.
H REBELS SCATTERED
While the American Troops Have
Fought Almost Beyond the
Limit of Human Endurance.

Washington, June 26.-General Otis,
in reply to a cable from the war depart
ment asking for information regarding
the situation and conditions in the
Philippines, today cabled a long reply,
as follows:
"Manila, June 90. -Adjutant Gen.
eral, Washington: This is the rainy
season and little inland campaigning is
being done in Luzon. We occupy a
large portion of the Tagalog country,
our lines stretching from linus south tC
San Fernando north, nearly sixty miles.
and eastward into Luguana province.
The insurgent armies have suffered
great losses and are scattered. The
only large force together is about 4 900
in Tarlac province and northern Pam.
pallga.
"Their scattered forces are in bands
of fifty to 500. In other portions of
Luzon, in Cavite and Batangas pro-
vinces they could assemble possibly
1900. though demoralized from the re-
cent defeat. The mass of people, terror.
lied by insurgent soldiers. desire peace
and American protection, and III longer
flee o. approach of our troops unless
forced by the insurgents, but gladly
welcome them. No recent burning of
towns; the POP ~ulation within the lines
is becoming dense, taking up land Gull
tivation extensively. They are kept
out Of Manila as much as possible, as
the city's population is becoming too
great to be cared for.
"Natives Of southeast Luzon are com
bining to drive out the insurgents.
The only hope Of i%nsurgent leaders in
United States aid. They proclaim the
near overthrow Of the present admins
t%ration, to be followed by their indie.
pendence and recognition by the United
States. This is the influence which ell
ables them to hold out. Much conten.
tion prevails among them and no civil
government remains. Trade with ports
not in our possession, a former source
dicted. I am not certain of the wisdom
Of this policy, as people in those parts
are without a supply Of food, and mer.
chants are suffering losses, although
the insurgents reap the benefits. Courts
are III successful operation under the d.
rection of able Filipinos.
affairs in the other islands are
comparatively quiet, awaiting results
in Luzon. They are anxious for trade,
and repeated calls for American troops
are received. I am giving attention to
Jolo and Palawan islands. The Ameri.
can troops have worked to the limit of
endurance. The volunteer o%rganiza-
tions have been called in and replaced
by regulars, who now occupy salient
positions.
Nebraska, Pennsylvania and Utah
are now taking the transports, and the
Sixth infantry was sent to Negroes to
relieve the Californians. These troops
are in good physical condition.
"Siokness among the troops has in.
creased lately. due mostly to arduous
service and climatic influence. Moth.
ing alarming. Or the 10 per cent of
the command reported sick, nearly =
per cent are in the general hospital, of
whom 3 per cent have typhoid fever
and u malarial fevers; IL per cent
have intestinal troubles, the remaining
SO per cent having various ailments,
ii per cent of which are due to wounds
or injuries.
MANY officers and men, who served
in Cuba, break down under the recur-
renee of Cuban fever. and regular regi-
ments lately received are in%adequately
differed. (Signed) Otis"
The %inadequacy of the number Of
officers mentioned in the last part Of
the above cablegram has been remedied
by the sailing of the transports Zea.
landia and Sheridan carrying a number
officers for regiments in the Philip.
pines. Adjutant General Corbin says
that officers belonging to regiments in
the Philippines who are absent on &C.
count of surgeons certificate. are under
to join their regiments at once.
officers have sailed on the
transports going to Manila.
Secretary Alger said today that no
action will be taken for the enlarge
ment Of the army or sending troops to
reinforce General Otis until the return
If President Mckinley. He also said
General Wheeler would receive no as.
'ignment until that time.
MAJOR BRENNAN DEAD.