The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1899-07-25
DEFENDED BY PLATT
The N. Y. Senator UphOlds
Administrations Policy.
TRUTH ABOUT PHILIPPINES.
Enc ouraging Reports as to Progress
of War-Reporters' Round
Robin Answered.

Special to Commercial Tribune.
NEW YORK, July Ex-senator Thos.
c. Platt gave out statement to-day in
defense of the administration. The
statement was prepared, it is said after
consultation with the President and
prominent Republican leaders in the
Senate. Secretary Gage has been for
a week in New York, and went over
given out.
The Senator says he can not attempt
to answer the criticism Of the anti-im-
perialists. He wants to enlighten
those others who have been disturbed
by the s'round robin" of the correspon-
dents at Manila. He reiterates that
the Governments means of informa-
tion have not been confined to General
Otis. The President has been inform
ed of the exact situation all along.
''The precise fact, as he obtains 1t"
Senator Platt says, mot only from
General Otis, but from each Of dozen
or more of his official informants, is
that, for distance of fifty miles north
of Manila, and eastward into Laguna
Province, our armies hold the terri
tory; that the insurgents are scattered
beyond our lines in bands of from so to
500, their only considerable force con-
sisting of about 900 men, who are en-
camped in Northern Pampanga. The
southern army of the insurgents, posi-
bly, 1000 strong, is badly demoralized
by recent defeats.
'sThe Presidents advisers report to
him that in number of cities within
the American lines local governments
have been formed, which are discharg-
ing their functions completely and to
the satisfaction of the people; that the
mass of the people desire peace and
American protection; that they no
longer fee on the approach of our
troops, but heartily welcome them;
that the population within the Ameri-
can lines is dense and grows larger all
the while and that land cultivation is
going on extensively.
INSURGENTS ONLY HOPE.
'sThe President is advised, and on
this point his information comes unani-
mously from all the able men whose
official obligation is to keep the Gov
ernment accurately informed, that the
onlp hope of the insurgents lies in the
efforts they are making to convince
the people that a change Of government
is about to occur in the United States
favorable to the insurgent cause; that
there is general opposition among
the American people to the prosecution
of the war, and fixed purpose on the
part of the political party about to
come into power to withdraw the
American army and recognize the
government of Aguinaldo. This idea
is being assiduously cultivated by the
insurgent leaders, and it so far serves
their purpose as to enable them to
maintain their forces in fairly strong
array.
sThere can be no question of the
substantial truth and accuracy of this
information. 1t comes from too many
different sources, and from sources too
high and honorable in character to
admit of doubt; and not even the testi-
mony of newspaper correspondents who
resent the interference of General Otis
unimaginative blue pencil with their
sensational stories can stand against
the sober official reports of the Presi-
dents civic and military advisers.
"Nor is it an especially optimistic
view of the situation. 1t shows, indeed,
that a great work has yet to be done,
and it leads back to the question why
more has not been already accomplish
ed, and to the question as to whether
the preparations now going forward
will positively insure the creation Of a
force sufficiently powerful for the work
that remains"
CONGRESS BALKED THE PRESIDENT.
The Senator then goes into long
, explanation of why the Government
! never had an adequate force in the
Philippines. He details the history OF
attempts in the Senate and House
| of Representatives to get through the
necessary legislation. He says the
| President was balked at every step.
After the army bill was passed, how
ever, the administration, according to
| the Senator, lost no time. He adds:
'sThere is nothing for which any
) American need apologize in this record.
7 1t is record of sagacity and COM
potency. 1t is record of consistent
t and unparalleled success, success that
began with the message to Dewey,
. Go and destroy the Spanish feet in
5 Manila Bay and that will not end
until the possessions which duty and
fortune have confded to our care are
firmly advanced on the high road to
lpeace and prosperity"