The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1899-06-29
TELLS HOW IT IS
General Otis Sends a Long Cable
Dispatch in Regard to the
Situation.
Still Claims He Has Matters in
the Islands Well in
Hand,
Though Sickness Among Troops,
Has Increased Considerably
of Late.

WASHINGTON, June 27.-General Otis,
in reply to cable from the war depart
ment asking for information regarding
the situation and conditions in the
Philippines, cabled a long reply as fol-
lows:
Rainy season. Little inland cam
paisning possible in tLpzon. We oc-
eupy large portion Tagalog country,
Nacs stretching from linus south to
San Fernando north, nearly so miles,
and to eastward into Laguna province.
Insurgents armies have suffered great
losses and are scattered; only large
force held together about 1000 in Tar
lac province and Northern Pampam-
ganga. Their scattered forces in bands
90 to 500. in other portions Luzon; in
Cavite and Batangas provinces could
assemble possible 5000, though demon
allied from recent defeats; mass Of peo-
pie terrorized by insurgent soldiers, de-
sire peace and American protection; no
longer fee on approach our troops unless
forced by insurgents, but gladly welcome
them; no recent burning of towns; pop
ulation within our lines becoming
dense, taking up land cultivation ex-
tensively; kept out Manila as much as
possible, as city population becoming
too great to be cared for. Natives south
east Luzon combining to drive out in
surgents; only hope insurgent leaders
is United States aid. They proclaim
near overthrow present administration,
to be followed by their independence
and recognition by the United States.
This is the influence which enables
them to hold out; much contention pre-
walls among them and no civil govern
ment remains; trade with ports not in
our possession, former source insurgent
revenue, now interdicted; not certain
of wisdom of this policy, as people in
those ports now without supplies Of
food; merchants suffer loss and some
mediate restoring trade privileges,
although insurgents reap benefits.
Courts here in successful operation
under direction of able Filipinos.
Affairs in other islands compare
lively quiet, awaiting results in Luzon.
All anxiously seeking trade, and re-
psated calls for American troops re-
ceived. Am giving attention to Jolo
archipelago and Palawan islands. Our
troops have worked to limit Of sndur-
ance. Volunteer nrgsnixations have
been called in, replaced by regulars,
who now occupy salient positions Ne
braska, Pennsylvania and Utah now
taking transports and Sixth infantry
sent to Negros to relieve California
These troops in good physical condition;
sickness among troops has increased
lately, due mostly to arduous service
and climatic influences. Nothing alarm
ing. Of the 10 per cent of the command
reported sick, nearly six in general hos
pital, of whom 3 per cent have typhoid
and II malarial fevers: IS per cent have
intestinal trouble; remaining IS per
cent have various ailments, IA of which
due to wound injuries. Many officers
and men who served ip Cuba break
under recurrence Of Cuban fever and
regular regiments lately received are
inadeqnately Jffioered. >
This InaieqaaGy Supplied.
The inadeqnacy Of the number Of Of
fcers mentioned in last part Of above
cablegram has been remedied by the
sailing Of the transports zealandia and
Sheridan, carrying number of officers
for regiments in the Philippines.
Adjutsnt General Corbin says that
all ofhces belonging to regiments in
the Philippines who are not absent on
account Of surgeon's certificate are.
under orders to join their regiments at
once. Furty-four have sailed ON the
recent rransports going from Manila.
{ Secretary Alger said that 20 action
will be taken for the enlargement of
the army or sending troops to reinforce
Ianeral Otis until tha return of Prasi.