Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1899-06-26

washington, June 26.-Gen. Otis, IN re-
ply to cable from the war department
asking for information regarding the sit
uation and conditions in the Philippines,
today cabled long reply as follows:
Manila, June 26.-Adjutant General,
Washington: This is the rainy season,
and little inland campaigning is being
done in Luzon. We occupy a large por-
ton of the Tagalog country, our lines
stretching from linus south to San Fer
nando north, nearly sixty miles, and
eastward into Luguana province. The in
surgent armies have suffered great losses
and are scattered. The only large force
together is bout 1000 in Tarlac province
and northern Pampanga.
Their scattered forces are in bands of
SO to 500. In other portions of Luzon,
in Cavite and Batangas provinces they
could assemble possibly 1000, though de-
moralized from the recent defeat. The
mass of people, terrorized by insurgent
soldiers desire peace and American pro-
lection, and no longer flee on approach
of our troops unless forced by the in
surgents, but gladly welcome them. No
recent burning Of towns; the population
within the lines is becoming dense, TAX
ing up land cultivation extensively. They
are kept out of Manila as much as pos
sible, as the city's population is becom
ing too great to be cared for.
Natives of southeast Luzon are COM
bining to drive out the insurgents. The
only hope of insurgent leaders is United
States aid. They proclaim the near ov-
erthroW of the 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 prevails among
them and no civil government remains
Trade with ports not in our possession
former source of insurgent revenue, is
now interdicted. I am not certain of the
wisdom of this policy as people in those
parts are without supply Of food, and
merchants are suffering losses, although
the insurgents reap the benefits Courts
are in successful operation under the di-
rection of able Fiipinos.
affairs in other islands are compara-
lively quiet, awaiting results in Luzon.
They are anxious for trade and repeated
calls for American troops are received
am giving attention to Jolo and Pala-
wan islands. The American troops have
worked to the limit of endurance The
volunteer organizations have been called
in and replaced by regulars, who now oc-
cupy salient positions
Nebraska, Pennsylvania and Utah are
now taking the transports, and the Sixth
infantry was sent to Negros to relieve the
Californians. These troops are in good
physical condition.
sickness among the troops has in
creased lately, due mostly to arduous
service and climatic influences. Moth
command reported sick, nearly per cent
are in the general hospital, of whom 3
per cent have typhoid and II malarial
fevers: II per cent have intestinal trou-
bles, the remaining So per cent having
various ailments, IA per cent of which are
due to wounds or injuries.
MANY officers and men, who served
in Cuba, break down under the recur-
renee of Cuban fever, and regular regi-
ments lately received are inadeauately
officered. (signed) OTIS"
AAS AiouCluiCy Vi the HunDor or Of
ficers mentioned in the last part of the
above cablegram has been remedied by
the sailing of the transports Zealandia
and Sheridan carrying a number of Of
ficers for regiments in the Philippines,
Adjutant General Corbin says that Of
ficers belonging to regiments in the Phil
ippines who are absent on account of a
surgeons certificate, are under orders
to join their regiments at once. Forty
four officers have sailed on the recent
transports going for Manila
Secretary Alger said today that no ac-
tion will be taken for Che enlargement
Of the army or sendin : troops to REIN
force Gen. Otis until the return of Presi-
dent Mckinley. He also said Gen,
would receive no assignment un-
til that time.
Noyysd Cilvyo~ Mad