The age-herald., 1899-05-31
OTIS ONLY WANTS
 3O,OOO TROOPS Situation in Philippines Discuss ed at a Conference, PRESIDENT FEELS ND ANXIETY Does Not Credit the PeSSimistic
 Dispatches.
 MEMORIAL DAY IN MANILA Soldiers StreW Their Dead Comrades
 Graves With Flowers.
Soldiers StreW Their Dead Comrades
 Graves With Flowers.
NEAR THREE HUNDRED MOUNDS
Over Men Who Have Been Killed in Battle Were Marked by Silken Flags Official Notice of
 Tilley's Death

Washington, May 30.-General Otis has informed the war department that he will be satisfied if the army under his command is kept at a maximum of S0000. The presi- dent will give him this number. The situa- tion in the Philippines was the subject of an extended conference today between the president and Adjutant General Corbin. In view of the more or less alarming reports which have been sent to the United States from Manila it is important to know that the president does not share in the anxie- ty which these dispatches have naturally created.
 General Otis has kept in close touch with the authorities here and if he was in the light posit on which the press representa- lives seem to indicate it Is felt that he would not hesitate about making his diem- ma known. On the contrary. the advices received from him show that he is not in need Of a largly increased army. He has cabled that the press reports of the ac- tiyity of the insurgents south of Manila have been greatly exaggerated, and he thinks that 30,000 men would be ample to meet all requirements. The present strength of his army in the Philippines, including volunteers who are still in the service, is S60Oo When the volunteers leave A,000 will remain. The endorsements now en route to Manila are under orders to depart. and thlS will bring the total up to the required ngure, but as there will be considerable loss through sickness it is proposed to in- crease the companies now stationed in gar r1sons in this country to their minimum and increase the troops in the Philippines to their maximum. It is believed that this will give General Otis all the men he re- qu1res without disarranging the army as at present distributed. It can be stated on authority that until General Otis asks for an additional force there will be no en- largement of the army, not even to the ex- tent of recruiting the 5000 natives pro- vided for in the army reorganization bill.
 More Troops Will be Furnished
 Secretary Alger tonight cabled General Otis to report tonce what further re- Inducements he may need after the arrival of all the regular troops to be dispatched to the Philippines to replace the volunteers. whose time is out. Secretary Alger has fur nished General Otis detailed information as to the plan of assessment of the regulars to his command and his cablegram of in- quiry calls for report without delay on what further is needed in the way of troops, after all the regulars now in con- temptation for the service are available Pending General Otis report, final decis- ion on further augmentation of Otis forces will be deferred
 Manila May 30.-7:50 D. n.-Memorial day was celebrated at Battery Knoll, where Scott's guns were planted against the Fili- pino trenches in the first days fighting at Manila Nearly 300 soldiers l.e-buried there on bleak mound surrounded by rice fields rough boards marking the graves, which are ranged in five unbroken rows. Be- yond these are Spanish block houses and bamboo hedges which were mown by shells from the American guns.
 The few soldiers who could be spared frax hn froya yaptao tn Dot dusty and brozed, bearing flowers with which to strew their comrades graves. A silk flag was placed above each mound.
 The day was mild as a New England spring day when, just before sunset a few hundred Americans gathered in a circle around Battery Knoll in blue and brown uniforms. Among the soldiers were groups of American ladies and brown faced natives peering curiously at the unwonted specta- cle from points near by. The guns from the monitor Monadnock bombarding Pa raque boomed a significant reminder of the nearness of war. Just as the Sixth artil- lery band began dirge the thunder of the Monadnocks guns ceased, while taps sounded from the bugle.
 Colonel Charles Denby, of the United States Filipino commission, presided at the exercises. He spoke briefly of the sol emnity of the day to Manila. The chap lain of the British cruiser Powerful made an invocation. Chaplain Pierce, of the Twenty-third infantry, and Chaplain Cres- sey, of the Minnesota volunteers deiv- cred orations. The soldiers sang appro- priate hymns.
 After taps had been sounded the soldiers took the flags off the graves to send to relatives of the dead.
 Similar services were held over the dead in the Paco cemetery this afternoon. Col onel Denby was the orator on this oeca- sion. The graves were decorated with vast quantity of magnificent flowers. High mass for the dead of the Roman Catholic communion was celebrated at the Paco cemetery in the morning. OIations were delivered by Fathers McKinno and Mc- Quade and Chaplain Stevens of the Idaho regiment.
 Two Officers Missing
 Two petty officers of the United States hospital ship Relief went sailing in the harbor yesterday. Their boat was after ward found in the possession of natives