The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-06-01
OPERATIONS IN PHILIPPINES.
now THE FIGHTING WITH THE IN
sURGENTS BEGAN.

Il soon as AhS ssI%A-7A- AA@@N |
Been DestrOyed-Why Gen. Otis
EGorts to Preserve Peace Proved
UnsuccessfuI-WOuI Not RecOg- |
nize Insurgent Recommendation.
otis, Report ON the War.
washington, May S1.-The Secretary of
War to-day made public the report of
en- OTIS. transmitting the reports of his
s,,bordinate officers on the operations
orolnd Manila up to April 6. Gen. Otis
b4gins with this statement:
..These military operations are fairly
well presented in the reports, and have
little 20 add thereto, but desire partic-
Marty to call attention to the rise and de-
,,olonment of conditions and circum-
stances which resulted finally in war. This
deem to be essential in order to cor
,sct the somewhat prevailing impression
that the government of the United States
o. responsible. through deceit or wrongful
action. for the present existing -hostilities."
TO this end he gives a short summary
Of fine Philippine insurrection against
snatn laying stress on the fact that
email band of the natives of Luzon, lead
ars of the rebellion of 80 against Spain,
were induced, for a monetary considera-
tfoo 10 leave the island. These men re-
t,rne5 to the vicinity of Manila after the
destruction of the Spanish fleet there, be
,rg as Cen Otis says, encouraged with
ont authority to attempt the organization
Of what they were pleased TO denominate
an INDEPENDENT government for the Phil
ippine people
Proclaimed Independence.
INDEPENDENCE, Gen. Otis says, was pro-
claimed by Aguinaldo in August, and as
sorIv as June he had warned the United
states authorities against the landing OF
its military forces on Philippine soil with
out first obtaining his consent because,
AS he expressed it, THE Philippine people
might consider the occupation of Philip
pine territory by North American troops
violation of their rights"
Gen. Otis says;
when the United States forces landed
from their transports near and to the
south of Manila for the purpose of at
lacking the city, the fiction that they were
acting as allies of the insurgents and in
furtherance of Philippine independence APP
pears 10 have been conveyed by insurgent
leaders"
Gen. Otis describes Aguinaldo's efforts to
strengthen his lines in preparation for hos
Titles with the United States during this
time and explains the growth of the in
surgent Independent movement.
Efforts to Preserve Peace.
Describing briefly the high tension that
existed at the time, Gen Otis includes In
explanation of his course some highly i'm
portant correspondence that passed be-
tween himself and Agunaldo.
Early in January Gen. Otis was asked
by conservative Filipinos to appoint
committee of army officers to meet an
insurgent committee to arrange terms by
which peace might be maintained. Gen.
OTIS refused to recognize any insurgent
government, but was willing to negotiate
with Agunaldo or q commission appointed
by him
The report sets out in full the CORE
spondence on this subject which passed
between Gen. Otis and Aguinaldo. The
latter named a commission consisting of
three of his leaders TO confer with Gen.
Otis with a view TO an amicable under
standing. but expressed surprise that
Ous would not receive the commissioners
as official representatives of the insurgent
government.
Could Not Recognize 1t.
In his reply, Gen. Otis explained that he
was acting merely as the agent of the
United States government. AS such he had
no authority to recognize the Filipino gov
emment and could not receive officially,
representatives of that government. He
expressed earnest hope that the commits
sioners named by him and by Agunaldo
would be able through conference to dis
pc. the misunderstanding which existed.
He was under strict orders from the Pres
ident, ne said, to avoid a conflict if pos
slole, but he admonished Aguinaldo that
the American troops were aware of the
Fiipino's efforts TO precipitate hostilities.
lie pointed out that definite policy with
reference 20 the Philippines would have to
be declared by Congress, and for the &C
ton Of Congress he hoped Aguinaldo would
wait
Gen. Otis says the negotiations were bar
rem of practical results The insurgent
members desired absolute independence,
put were unauthorized to present any
statement they could maintain.
They Became Aggressive.
In the latter part of January the insur-
gents became aggressive, interfering with
me American troops. and finally led Gen.
Ous to address another letter to Agui-
naido, calling attention to the arrest by
flhplnos of some American soldiers and
newspapers correspondent and request
ing explanation. Gen. OTIS letter added:
am doing everything possible to pre-
serve the peace and avoid all friction I'M
III the Philippine people can be made fully
acquainted with the sentiments and inten-
Iio'is OF the American government, when
am confident that they will appreciate
| tne endeavors of the United States and
VIII again look upon the country as their
Itlehd and protector. I also fully believe
'a' the present unrest is the result OF
nominations of evil disposed persons"
10 TINS letter Aguinaldo sent a sarcastic
reply; but ordered the release of the pris-
oners.
The Starting of the Fight.
zen Otis next tells how the American
soldiers were openly insulted and how the