The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1899-06-28
AGUINALDO'S HOPE.

tion is the Thing That Keeps the
Rebellion Going - Impossible to
Conduct q Campaign In LuzOn nj
This Time-DispositiOn That is
BEING Made OF the Troops-Men
who Were In Cuba Are Frustrated
by Return OF Fevers aud There is
q Dearth OF Odicers-This is Being
Remedied by Recent Orders.
Washington, June 26-General Otis In reply
to q cable from the war department, asking
for Information regarding the situation and
Conditions in the Philippines today cabled q
long reply as follows:
Manila, June 26.-Adjutant General, Wash
ington: This is the rainy season, and little
inland campaining is possible in Luzon. We
occupy large portion Of the Tagalo country,
the lines stretching from linus south TO San
Fernando, north, nearly six miles, ana 10 tne
gent armies have suffered great losses and are
scattered. The only large force held together
about 4000-is in Tarlac province and north
ern Pampanasa. There are scattered forces
In bands of 5O to 500 in other portions OF
Luzon. In Cavite and Bsntangas provinces
they could assemble possibly thousand,
though they are demoralized from recent
defeat.
tnsurgent soldiers. They desire peace and
American protection and no longer Zee on
approach Of our troops unless forced by the
is no recent burning OF towns. The popula-
ton within our lines Is becoming dense. TAX
ing Of land for cultivation is extensive. The
natives are kept out OF Manila as much as
possible, as the city population is becoming
too great to be cared Tor. Natives In south
east Luzon are combining to drive out The In
surgents.
A CAMPAIGN TIP?
The only hope OF the insurgent leaders is
United States aid. They proclaim the near
overthrow by the present administration TO
be followed by their independence and recog.
milton by the United States. This Is the in-
tiuence which enables them TO hold out.
Much contention prevails among them, and
no civil government remains. Trade with
ports not In our possession, q former source
of insurgent revenue, is now interdicted.
am not certain OF the wisdom Of this policy
as the people In these parts are without sup
ply Of food and merchants are suffering
losses. mediate restoring trade privileges,
although the insurgents reap benefits.
Courts here are In successful operation
other islands are comparatively quiet. await.
ing results In Luzon. ALI are AN xious for
trade and repeated calls tor American troops
are received. Am giving attention TO Jolo,
Archipelago and Paawan islands.
TROOPS ovERwoRKED.
Our troops have worked 10 the limit Of en-.
durance. Volunteer organizations have been
call ed In and replaced Dy regulars, VINO now
occupy salient positions. Nebraska, Penn.
sylvania and Utah are now taking transports
and the Sixth infantry is being sent to Negros
to relieve California. These troops are in good
physical condition. Sickness among the
troops has increased lately, due mostly tc
arduous service and climatic influences
nothing alarming. or the II per cent. of the
com mmand reported sick, nearly are In the
gen eral hospital, of whom per cent have
typhoid and II nalarial fevers. twenty-five
per cent have intestinal trouble; the remain
ing SIS per cent have various ailments, IA o.
which are due to wound injuries. Many Off
GERS and men who served In Cuba break
under q recurrence OF the Cuban fever and
the regular regiments lately received are in
adequately off1cered.
(Sigped) OTIS.
The inadequscy OF the number Of Officers
mentioned In the last paragraph above cableo
has been remedied by the sailing OF the trans
ports Zalandis and Sheridan, carrying 8
number OF officers for regiments In the Phil
tppines.
GERS belonging to regiments In the Philip
pines who are not absent on account OF sur
geon's certificate are under orders to join the
regiments al once. Forty-four have sailed or
the recent transports going to Manila.
Secretary Alger said today that no actor
will be taken for the enlargement OF INT
army or sending troops TO reinforce Genera
Otis until the return of President Mckinley
He also said that General Wheeler woult
receive no assignment until then.