Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1899-06-29
GEN. OTIS BlAMES the
AMERICAN ''FlL!Plnos"
Attitude Of Anti-Expansionists 10
the United States Has Pro-
longed the War.
ONLY HOPE OF THE. REBELS
Leaders Dclude Their Followers Into
the Belief That the Present Ad.
ministration ls to Be
Overthrown.

Washington, June 27.-General Otis,
in reply to cable from the war de-
partment asking information regard
ing the situation in the Philippines,
replied as follows:
''In the rainy season little inland
campaigning is possible in Luzon. We
occupy large portion of Tagalog coun-
try, our lines stretching from linus
south to San Fernando north, nearly
sixty miles. and eastward into the La
guna province. The insurgent armies
have suffered great loss and are scat
tered. The only large force held to-
gether is about 1000 in Tarlac provinces
and northern Pampanga. There arc
scattered forces In bands of 50 to 500 in
other portions of Luzon. In Cavite and
Battangas provinces they could assem-
BILE possibly 1000, though demoralized
from recent defeats. The mass of the
people are terrorized by the insurgent
soldiers and desire peace and Ameri-
can protection. They no longer flee ON
the approach of our troops unless
forced by the insurgents, but gladly
welcome them. There has been no re-
cent burning of towns. The popula-
ton within our lines is becoming
dense, taking up land cultivation ex-
tensively. They are kept out of Ma
Mia as much as possible, as the city
population is becoming too great to
be cared for. Natives southeast of Luz
ION are combining to drive out the In
surgents.
Why Insurgents Hold Out.
"The only hope of insurgent leaders
is United States aid. They proclaim
the near overthrow of the present ad-
ministration to be followed by their in
dependence and recognition by the
United States. This is the influence
which enables them to hold out. Much
contention prevails among them, and
no civil government remains. Trade
with ports not in our possession, for
mer source of insurgent revenue, is
now interdicted. ! am not certain as
to the wisdom of this policy, us the
people of those ports are without food
supply and merchants are suffering
losses. mediate restoring trade PRIV.
ileges, although the insurgents Will
reap the benefits.
Courts here are in successful opera
ton under the direction of able Filipi-
nos. The affairs of other islands are
comparatively quiet, awaiting the re-
suit in Llzon. All are anxious ZOE
trade and repeated calls for American
troops are received. l am giving at
tention to the Sulu archipelago and
the Palawan islands. Our troops have
worked to the limit of endurance. Vol.
unteer organizations have been called
in and replaced by regulars, who now
occupy the salient positions. The Ne
braska, Pennsylvania and Utah troops
ore now taking transports. The sixth
infantry has been sent to Negros to
relieve the California regiment. These
troops are in good physical condition.
Sickness among troops has Increased
lately, due mostly to arduous service
and climatic influences = nothing
alarming, however, OF ~ per cent OF
the command reported sick nearly .
per cent is in the general hospital, OF
whom per cent have typhoid, seven
teen malarial fever, rs per cent have
intestinal troubles and the remaining
IS per cent have various ailments.
fourteen of which are due to wounds.
Many officers and men who served in
Cuba break down under the recurrence
of Cuban fever and the regular regi-
ments lately received are inadequately
officered."
New Omcers on the Way.
The inadequacy of officers mem
toned in Otis cablegram has been
remedied by the sailing of the trans
ports Zealandia and Sheridan, carry
ing a number of officers for regiments
Adiutant General Corbin says that
all officers belonging to regiments in
the Philippines who are not absent on
account OF surgeons certificate are
under orders to join their regiments
at once. Forty-four have sailed on the
recent transports going to Manila.
Secretary Alger said today that no
action will be taken for the enlarge
ment of the army or sending of troops
to reinforce Otis until the return OF
President Mckinley. He also said that
General Wheeler would receive no ss-
signment until that time.