Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-07-04
SATISFIED WITH THE SITUATION.
The President. Has Implicit Conf
dence In Ten. otis.

General Harrison Gray Otis, who called
on the President yesterday, went driving
with the President III the afternoon. He
dined with the President later, Adjutant
General Corbin being also a guest.
Speaking of his conference with the
President General Otis said: -.- I'll I
Really, there was nothing significant or
specially important about it. We discussed
pretty thoroughly the situation in the Phil
ippines and in reminiscent way talked of
incidents in the war of thirty years ago, in
which we both had a part. Beyond that
there is little to be said. may say that the
President is quite satisfied with affairs in
the Philippines, as they are being conduct
ed by Major General Otis. He has i'm
plicit confidence in General Otis, and that
confidence is not misplaced. General Otis,
who by the way, is not relative of mine,
is, in all respects, an admirable and eff
cient officer. He combines all the excel
lent qualities of the lawyer, the diplomat
and the soldier, and 1 haven't doubt that
he will prosecute the Philippine war to a
successful conclusion.
The President is fully determined con-
tinued General Otis, Ito put down the in
surrection in those islands. His mind is
made up on that point. Arrangements have
been perfected to furnish Major General
Otis with ali the men he may need to
bring the rebellion to a successful issue.
The volunteers, who have distinguished
themselves as soldiers have seldom done,
are being brought home as rapidly as pos
sible They fought brilliantly long after the
contract for their services had expired, but
they fought willingly and without sin
gle complaint, as noble men always fight"
General Otis was asked whether his con-
ference with the President had any refer
ence to the rumors that he might take a
place in the cabinet.
81 may say as to that" replied the gen.
eral. decisiyely, that not the faintest sug-
gestion has ever been made to or by me
upon the subject by the President. There
is absolutely no foundation for the story"
General Otis will remain here several
days, and will then go east before return
ing to his Los Angeles home
According to Gen. OTIS the rainy season
in the archipelago does not end until the
LIST of December. He said he could not I'M
derstand how the impression got abroad
that the rainy season ended about the list
of October, inasmuch as statistics show
plainly enough that it usually extends to
the 1st of December
From the middle of June to the LIST of
December" said Gen. Otis, 1.-The whole
Island of Luzon, even the hill tops, is prac-
tically one great bog. On the list of De-
cember, last year. the list Nebraska Regi-
ment was sent to McLeod's HILL 1t had
rained the day before and that day, and
the ground was marshy the men did not
think they would live to get away from
there But 1t cleared up and the conditions
improved rapidly. 1t is surprising how
quickly the ground dries and the roads har-
den when the dry season sets in.
Mai Gen. E. S. Otis, in my opinion
should have at least $4,000 men. That
would enable him to strike quick, decisive
blow and maintain peace after the irsurrcc-
ton was suppressed 1t would be more hui
name, more economical and result in less
loss and hardship to the American soldiers
to make vigorous campaign with large
force. II. n
THE principal rebels are the Tagals.
When they have been subjugated I think
the other tribes will give little, If any, trou-
BILE. e 81
1.-THE troops now in the Philippines can
whip all the rebels there, but they cannot
retain the advantages. they GAIN