The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-02-09
ARE KEEPING MUM.
The War and Navy Departments will
Give out Nothing in Regard TO Fu-
turc Plans in Philippines-Sur-

ture Plans in Philippines-Sur-
rounded by Spies.
WASHINGTON, Feb. S.-Reverting to
the policy pursued during the late war
with Spain, the officials OF the war de-
partment, as well as those OF the navy
decline most positively to afford any in
formation for publication respecting the
Instructions given or to be given TO the
military and naval commanders in the
Philippines. With spies in Canada. and
even in Washington. with Philippine
juntasiin the European capitals and in
Hong Kong, and with malicious spirits
in Europe to contend with, the depart
ment says 1t will have all 1t can do
TO get news of Its intentions to the
American commanders in the Philip
pines in season to prevent the insur-
gents from proftlng by 1t. Therefore
they refuse TO give any information as
to what Instructions will be sent TO
Otis respecting the application by
Agulnaldo for Il cessation Of hostilitieS
and a conference.
Nevertheless there Is little reason to
believe that up to this point ut least
no instructions have been sent. As be-
fore stated the administration has un-
limited confidence in General Otis mil
itary abilities. and they are congratu-
latinS themselves that his experience
In Indian warfare Is exactly what Is
needed for the safe conduct OF the
American campaign now. He will know
just how much confidence TO place in
this overturned time of war.
The history of the insurrectiOn of the
Filipinos Is said 10 be fun Of as many
instances Of bad faith on their part
as could be found in one Of our own
Indian campaigns. The plea OF Aguin-
aldo is therefore likely to be left with
General Otis. and it will be for him to
judge whether it is Il proper offer of
submission In good faith or nothing
more than n cunning device to gain
time TO reorSanizc and reinspirit their
badly fdemoralized forces. The news
conveyed by Otis was received with
great qualification as at least holding
out Il hope of a more speedy tcrmina-
ton of hostilities on LuZon than was
expected after the first outbreak.
There is no reason to believe that the
NIl.tIIbS'l Itilts lt-
specting the treatment of the Filipinos
because of the battle, and it is believed
that IL they are content TO profit by
the severe lesson administered TO them
he will be willing 10 receive them rs
erring children and treat them with as
great 4 degree of libe-ality as their
state and n due regard for the interests
OF the United States and OF civilization
will permit.
1t is thought at the war department
that the large number OF wounded Fill
ipinos in the hands Of the American
forces. while they will prove somewhat
burdensome and will make Il heavy
draft on the resources of the medical
department. will prove n good thing in
the end. The wounded Filipinos cared
for in the American hospitals and fed
with american rations. 1t is believed.
will make very. effective piSsieparies
when they return 10 their own Dc0ITle.
The idea OF wounded prisoners being
carefully nursed and cared for, it is
| said. will be 4 wholly new experience to
! the insurgents.
The situation Is llkencl to that ev-
| iStinS in Cuba before the assault on
Santiago. The Spanish prisoners cap
| turcd nj san Juan and Caney said very
| not have resisted with onc-llalf the de-
termination they did had they not been
repeatedly assured by the Spanish au-
thorities that the Americans never took
| prisoners except to scalp and torture
| them. and that 1t was far better to die
| lighting in the trenches thnn TO fall into
the hands Of the rcmOrSeless northern
| invaders.
One officer in the department to-day
recalled in this connection his expert
encc before the attuck on Cancy. when
| he was one of Il accommodating party
which went up 10 the edge OF the town
and gathered In Il large party OF pnc-
| iiicos. who were out hunting man.
groves. The prisoners were simply linn
| with terror when they We're marched
back to Skaters quarters After they
had been fed and questioned they were
turned loose, their capture being made
only TO protect the accommodating party
| while 1t was wns beyond the American
lines, but they could not be driven back
| TO Santiago. and remained within the
| American headquarters until after the
surrender of the city. 1t is thought
that the Filipinos viii prove quite as
susceptible 10 practical missionary
work