Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1899-10-07
THE GREATNESS OF OTIS.

Reply1ng to criticism OF Genera!
Otis. which appeared in the Boston
Beacon, the New York sun says:
Gen. Otis is proceeding With his ask
with ability that it would be difficult
to replace. and in due time his cam
paisn will be successful. His authority
is being delegated as it should be in
every proper direction. His generals
are at their posts, each with the au-
thority and responsibility that become
his rank. Victory will come to all in
season. and the Boston Beacon's per
version Of Admiral Deweys friendly
description of Gen. Otis as a command
Ell, too absorbed in his duties for per
Scnal comfort. is a mere small puff OF
shallow spite.
The talk or his unwilhngneSs to del
egate authority is nonsense. OF course
he delegates authority; he must do SO
necessarily. Admiral Dewey merely
expressed fears that Gen. Otis was
overworking himself. Gen. Otis is not
assuming responsibilities unusual to
his military office. and he is making no
complaint The rainy season has in
terl'uptedl military opera tons on any
thing like Il large scale. as a matter Of
course, and the duplicfty 0f the Aguin-
aldo rebels. assisted by the ANTI I'M
perialist gang in this country, has
increased the difficulty and cmbarrass-
ment of the situation. But there is no
feature of it Of which Gen. Otis has
not proved to the government his fun
and precise knowledge"
The fact that not onc ef these full
some batteries Of the general command
ing in the Philippines seems to bear
The senlblance Of truth and accuracy
has no influence upon the Sun. 1t has
undertaken the task o. dcfen*ling the
adnlinstra ton and is Going so with the
same shameless dsre Sard Of facts
"t1irh has marked its course in the
persecution Of Rear Admiral Schley, it
now proceeds to spread nauseous flat
tering upon Alger and the incompe-
tents which have grown out Of Alger-
ism until ALL except the fawning syco-
plrants OF the washington clique, must
DC disguised with lis course.
In the meantime, tho news reports t.f
the Sun belle its editorial columns
Almost simultaneously with this fiat
tcring notice Of Otis comes tie an
q
captured at a sacrifice Of America n
lives. but which, as a result of the Otis
policy, was Immediately abandoned
las been again occupied by the insur-
gents and in time it will be necessary
to again capture the place ny assault
Then. TOO, if Otis is such great and
wonderful general why Gid he nd it
necessary to throttle the liberty Of the
press in order 10 prevent the true con-
dition " affairs from reaching the at
tentiOn Of the American people? Men
who accomplish things and who are
really able and gallant have nothing to
fear at the hands Of the newspa per
men. This action on the part of Otis
was q racit confession Of Weakness
Dewey did not find SUCH course nee
essaTy, and except under exceptional
conditions for a brief period OF time
ii is only the Weylers. Skaters, and
Otises who find this Gr.rottling of the
truth necessary. The really great man
who desires to stand or fall on his own
2.rerits, would scorn such a base action
even if his Intelligence did not inform
him it would be fruitless.
The alleged fact tina General Otis
has seen more actual service in war
than any general now in command OF
foreign army has no bearing upon
the questions a issue. Wnat the Amer
lean people. wish to know is what has
he done in the Philippines? Wat has