The times., 1899-06-27
TUESDAY, JUNE 27. 1899.
A Nest Surprising "Report."

Either General Otis is in need of physi-
clans care or, again, General Corbin
should change his war bulletin editor.
The cable report" given out at the War
Department yesterday is conclusive evil
dence of one or the other of these propo-
sitions. The Adjutant General was heard
10 remark that the message must be con-
strued to mean that Otis does not need
any more troops. Army officers of teehni-
cal education. experience, and professional
sense will construe "it''-meaning the text
of the matter published-as indicating that
Mr.. Mckinley would better not lose any
time in securing some professional mill
tary advice.
How much of the despatch in question
can truthfuIly be said TO be cable" and
how much editorial padding" we need
not stop to enquire. People. especially in
Washington. who are strict construction
ists." in the sense that they know how
highly colored newspaper matter is con-
feeted without the interposition of eiec-
trieal apparatus. Will not fail to appreci-
ate the news" and be quite able to read
between the few lines probably originating
in Manila, and the liberal interpretations
and addenda absorbed somewhere-prob-
ably by aceident-in the course of trans
mission.
According TO the War Department. Otis
says that the rainy season is on, and that
little campaigning is possible in Luzon-
True, He is also made TO say that we
occupy large portion of Tagalog country,
our lines stretching from linus south to San
Fernando north, nearly sixty miles. and
eastward into Laguna province" Let US
analyze this alleged statement little.
At linus Wheaton is not understood to
hold the end of a continuous defended line
reaching to Manila, twelve miles distant
and the assumed extension of his small
line into Laguna province only consists in
the fact that his left is not far from La
guna de Bay, being separated therefrom
only by a few miles Of iungles and swamps.
On his right and rear, at latest published
accounts. the rebels were massed four miles
away at San Francisco de Malabon. Very
recently it was admitted at the depart
ment that he might have to engage the
mutineers vigorously to prevent Malay oc-
and Otis. For anything we have heard to
the contrary, he has not done so. has not
made any advance. and has been content
10 hold the detached southern outpost at
linus, which has not been represented Off
cially or otherwise as in connection with
the line of defence surrounding Manila
and enveloping the suburbs of the city,
which include the pumping station. As
far as the authorities have shed any light
on the conditions at the south, they have
justified the conviction that Wheaton's S
force is flying column, sent out TO
harry the enemy and prevent them from
establishing dangerous line of investment
between Cavite and the Philippine cap
ital
Anyone who can read the report un-
derstandingly will readily see that it eoe.
not scan, either in this respect or in it.
treatment Of the northern situation. II
that direction our line is. in effect, repre-.
sented as perfect from Manila to San Fer.
nando, a matter of thirty-fiye miles i
General Macarthur. with his seven thou
sand troops, is not held in check at tha
point. If not bottled up by as many If no
more insurgents. who are threatening hi:
fanks and rear, while their main bod!
opposes any movement on his part towarC
Manila. then the present view of the Wa
Office discredits all the news it has giyel
out previously concerning MacArthur's sit
uation, and especially discredits the ad
mission of one of its chief officials tn.
other day which was that Otis nigh
have to detach a force from the Manlli
garrison TO support the northern fyin,
column. in the event OF an expected attacl
upon il at San Fernando. According Il
these understandings, which rest cxclu
sively upon War Department statements
and the admissions Of Administration Mill
tary officials, instead of defended lin
sixty miles long. from San Fernando Of
the north TO linus on the south, we hoI
only San Fernando with a flying column
the Dagupan Railway thence 10 Manila, PIE
cariously. since a part OF II at least wa
torn up and the bridges destroyed tn
other day: Manila and its immediat
suburbs. so weakly defended that the sam
regiments have to stay on duty IN tn
trenches continuously; and linus, twelv
miles away. with Wheaton's small fiyin
column. So much for the sixty mile line
In other respects the cable repor
shows a deplorable lack OF editorial mem
DRY. which the Adjutant General shoul
severely reprehend in his bulletin an
report man For instance, General OH