The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1899-08-12
NEW YORK, August "A Wor

A>H w oASIA, SAuSuoC w VI III
special from Hotel Champlain says:
President Mckinley believes that the
war in the Philippine Islands will be
ended before the meeting of Congress
in December. The capture of Aguinal-
do, which the Administration believes
will put an Immediate stop to the in
surrection, is anticipated daily. 1t is
not generally known, but a fact new
ertheless, that Major General Otis has
a band of native scouts accommodating
in the enemy's territory, and his re-
ports indicate that he believes the cap
ture of the insurgent cnleftain is not
a long way off.
Major General Otis will not be re-
iieved of his command. On the con-
trary, his authority will be enlarged.
President Mckinley, Vice President
Hobart and all prominent members of
the Administration have absolute con-
fidence in Otis. The President is not
surprised or chagrined because of Otis
failure to put down the rebellion be-
fore the beginning of the rainy season.
The President feels the task which Otis
had before him was colossal, and
while he believes that Otis underesti-
mated the strength of the rebellion
and therefore miscalculated the num-
ber of troops needed to establish
American authority, he is not disposed
to cenSure him for his mistaken judg-
ment.
The report that a civil governor is
to be appointed to share with Otis the
management of affairs in the Philip
pines is positively denied. Major Gen
eral Otis has been instructed to re-
new aggressive operations against the
enemy as soon as the weather will per-
nit. He has been impressed with the
necessity Of making a terrific on
slaught on the enemy.
WASHINGTON, August 4.-Secre-
tary Roots short experience in the
War Department has already convinced
him that the views of military COM
manders subordinate to- General Otis,
favOring larger military force than
recommended by that officer, are wOr-
thy of serious consideration. He wants
an effective fighting force of $4,000
men. Secretary Root and General Cor
bin will, at the request of the Presi-
dent, visit Lake Champlain on Aug
ust II to remain several days. During
this conference the whole Philippine
situation will be gone into thoroughly.
With provisional army of $4,000 al
ready organizing, 10000 regulars al
ready in the Philippines, three volun-
teer regiments organizing there and
of the signal and hos
pital corps, a total of about $4,000 has
already been provided, but Secretary
Root would like to see this number
still further increased by several ad
ditional regiments of the regular ar
my. There seems to be no intention to
call for any more volunteers.
81 General Lawton, it is understood, is
anxious for more cavalry troops, and
it is thought not improbable that this
request will be complied with. General
Otis is already organizing one addition
al regiment, to be known as the Elev-
enth Cavalry. The Fourth cavalry is
now in the Philippines and eight
troops of the Third are under orders
to go. The Sixth cavalry, at Fort Ri
ley, will doubtless be among any addi-
tional regiments of the regular army
to re-enforce General Otis.
The plan of operation for the fall
contemplates a division of
the islands into several military de-