The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-09-12
Plans of General Otis.

New York Sept. ia SPECIAL to the
Herald from Washington says: Con-
siderable progress has been made Gy
Major General Otis upon the plan of
campaign he will inaugurate immedi-
ately upon the beginning of the dry
season. To prevent similar prepare
tons being made by the insurgents, and
perhaps forerunner to the compre-
hensive operations to occur when the
conditions permit, an offensive move
ment by the commands of Major Gen
erals Macarthur and Lawton will be-
gin at once. 1t had been expected that
this movement would have begun last
week, but evidently either the prepara-
tions have not been completed or the
elements have prevented, for up to this
time, so far as the department has been
advised, nothing has been done. The
officials are in hourly expectation, how
ever, of advices showing that the col
umns under command of the officers
named have begun a new campaign
against Aguinaldo's troops.
General Otis proposes to divide the
army of 64,649 combatants and the
mountain. batteries and dynamite guns
which he will have in December into
two divisions. commanded by MacAr-
thur and Lawton. One of these will ope-
rate to the north of Manila and the
other to the west and south. Each d.
provinces to be defined by General Otis,
but there will be effective and prompt
cooperation when it is desirable. 1t
is expected that each commander will
have six brigades under his command,
the remainder of the troops being en-
ployed to garrison Manila and other
seaport town through which the insur-
gents are receiving supplies.
The ravy and marine corps will be
doing effective work. 1t is understood
to be the intention of the administra-
ton to enforce blockade of the Philip
pine ports. This action has been con-
sidered upon recommendation of Rear
Admiral Watson. who has called atten-
ton to the amount of supplies which
the insurgents have been receiving. The
blockade, which will be enforced. will
be municipal in character. so as to pre-
vent any of the foreign nations seiz-
ing upon the blockade, if it were for
mally declared, as a preteXt for the
recognition of the Filipnos as bellig
erents. General Haywood. command
ant of the marine corps, said to-day
that he expects there will be more than
700 men under Colonel Pope's command
within the next few months.
There have been consultations be-
tween Rear Admiral Watson and Gen
eral Otis respecting the operations to
be conducted by the marines. and it is
understood here that they will be given
the province of Cavite in which to ope-
rate Cavite is the hotbed of insurrec-
tionists. and the work of the marines
will have to be supplemented by the
army, but the use of Colonel Popes
command will make possible the con-
centration of practically the entire mil
itary force in subjugating Aguinaldo.
1t is apparent from the plan of cam
paign prepared by General Otis that his
duty will be more of a supervisory and
supplying character than anything else
He will remain at Manila, sending sup
plies and troops to the front and keep
ing the two divisions in the best posi-
Bile condition. OF course, General Otis
will be charged with the responsibility,
but it Is evident that the administra-
ton is quite satisfied to trust the con-
duct of the field operations to Generals
Macarthur and LawtOn.