The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1899-07-06
FAVORABLE REPORT.
General Otis Details Conditions In the
Philippine.

General Otis Details Conditions In the
Philippines.
Washington, June 28.-General Otis.
IN reply to cable from the war depart
ment. asking for information regarding
the situation and conditions in the
Philippines, today cabled long reply
as follows:
Manila. June 28.-Adjutant- Gen
esal. Washington: II is the rainy sea-
son. and there is little inland cam.
paigning in Luzon. We occupy the
larger portion of the Tagalog country.
our lines stretching from linus. south,
to San Fernando, north, nearly 60
miles. and eastward into Laguna pro-
vince.
The insurgent armies have suffered
great losses, and ar, scattered. The
only large force together is about 1000
In Tarlac province. and Northern Pam.
panga. Their scattered forces are in
bands Of from 80 to 500. In other por.
tons of Luzon-in Cavite and Batangas
provinces-they could assemble posi-.
bly, 1000. though demoralized from re-
cent defeats.
1.-THE mass of the people. terrorized
by the insurgent soldiers, desire peace
and American protection. and no long
or Zee on the approach Of our troops,
unless forced by the insurgents. but
gladly welcome them. There las been
no recent burning of towns.
"The population within our lines il
becoming dense. and the inhabitants
are taking up land cultivation extern.
sively, being kept out of Manila as
much as possible. as the city popula-
ton is becoming too great to be cared
for.
"The natives of Southeast Luzon are
combining to drive out the insurgents.
"The only hope of the insurgent
leaders is United States aid. They
proclaim the near overthrow Of the
present administration is to be followed
by their independence and recognition
by the United States. This is the in.
f1uence which enables them to hold out.
Much contention prevails among them.
and no civil government remains.
'Trade with ports not in our posses
sion, the former source of insurgent
revenue. is now interdicted. Am not
certain of the wisdom of this policy,
as the people in those ports are with
out supply of food, and the mer-
chants are suffering losses.
1.-The courts are in successful opera.
ton. under direction of able Filipinos
affairs in the other islands are
comparatively quiet. awaiting the re.
suits in Luzon. They are anxious for
trade, and repeated calls for American
troops are received. Am giving atten.
ton to the Jolo and Palawan islands.
1.-THE American troops have worked
to the limit of endurance. The volun.
teer organizations have been called in
and replaced by regulars. who now &C.
cupy salient positions. Nebraska.
Pennsylvania and Utah are now taking
transports, and the Sixth infantry will
be sent to Negros to relieve the Cali
fornians. These troops are in good
physical condition.
sickness among the troops has in
creased lately, due mostly to arduoue
service and climatic influences. There
il nothing alarming. however. OF the
l2 per cent of the command reported
sick, nearly 6 per cent are in the gen.
eral hospital, of whom 3 per cent have
typhoid and II malarial fever; IL per
cent have intestinal trouble. and the
remainder have various ailments, ID
of which are due to wound injuries.
Many of the officers and men who
served in Cuba break down under re-
currence of the Cuban fever, and the
regular regiments lately received are
inadequately Offered. OTIS"
General Otis detailed report is con.
siered very satisfactory at the war de.
nartm0nt