Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-07-01
|DI|S TAKES A5Pu1 VEN,
One More Aggressive Campaign Will
End the WI:
THE WORK TO BE- DONE-GEN.
HARRISON OTIS SAYS THAT
WITH $4,000 MEN PEACE CAN
HH RESTORED IN LUzoN Be
FORE THE NEXT RAINY SEA-
soN-GOoD WORK ALREADY
ACCOMPLISHED.

|
CHICAGO, June 30.-Gen. Harrison
Gray Otis, of Los Angeles, Gala. who
was with the Eighth army corps at Ma
Mia and who saw nearly a years fight
ing around that city, arrived in Chi
cago last night en- route to Washing
ton. He stopped at the Palmer House
and will remain in the city until to-
might before proceeding eastward.
His visit TO Washington will mark his
muster out of the volunteer service.
Gen. Otis discussed the situation in
the Philippines at considerable length,
and took the hopeful view that with
the additional troops to be furnished
the war would be terminated before
the next rainy season.
with $4,000 troops all told, say
10000 for the fighting columns and
10000 for garrison duty" he said,
Major Gen. Otis can suppress the re-
volt before the next rainy season, re-
store peace, establish order, protect all
well-meaning natives of Luzon in their
rights of person and property and es-
tablish and maintain a simple, econo-
mical, just and effective government
over the islands.
do you believe the F%ilipinos are
capable of self-government, or will it
be necessary for the United States to
maintain a standing army on the is
lands for a great length of timer"
"In their present state, l do not ~
lieve the F~ilipinos are capable of self
government. If the restraint and con-
troll of this government were with
drawn from them now l believe they
would be at each others threats in a
very short time and make a farce of
self-government. The conclusion from
this premise, therefore, is that it will
be necessary for the United States to
maintain a considerable force in the
islands for an indefinite period. Such
a course will, in my judgment, be un-
avoidable if we are to hold, protect
and properly govern the possessions
we wrested from Spain as legitimate
prizes of war in an honorable combat.
This country owes much to itself,
and it owes the distinct obligation OF
providing a sound, adequate and just
10 tho rofiync Of tho phil-
ippines group. Moreover, it owes
something to the world in this regard,
for it would be a shame and a reproach
to an enlightened nation to conquer
and possess a half-civilized land and
then abandon it without adequate gov
ernmental protection and internal Sc
curity."
HAS there ever been any question as
to the duty of the government in the
Philippines?"
Il cannot see how the duty Of the
government in the Philippines can be
fairly questioned by any self-respect-
ing American with a proper conception
of the actual situation. 1t was not pos
sible to avoid hostilities after the cap
ture of Manila. The most careful,
honest and persistent efforts to accom-
plish that so desirable result were
made by Maj. Gen. Otis and all in his
command in obedience to the order of
the President of the United States.
Regarding the general situation in
the Philippines, let these prime facts
be borne in mind: First. with even
the small force now available in Luzon
the enemy has been defeated in every
engagement; no serious mistakes have
been made by Gen. Otis, either military
or civil. He has shown himself to be
a commander with a strong grasp on
the situation. He has ability, expert
ence and skill, integrity and a marvel
Gus capacity for work"
OFF To MANILA.