The Saint Paul globe., 1899-08-02

Are Given Orders by Gen. Otis, Who
Never Leaves the Walled City of
Manila, and Is Not in Position
to Direct Active Operations at
the FrOnt-Scathfng Arraignment
of the Manila COmmahder.
SAN FRANCISCO, Cal, Aug. 1.-The
soldiers Of the Nebraska regiment and
Utah light artillery, who landed from
the transport Hancock, corrobordte the
statements of the Oregon boys concern
ing the gross incompetence Of Gen. Otis
and in strong terms the returned vet
Grams denounce the commander as the
'Old woman at Manila" Officers, whose
names cannot be used, declare that the
situation in the islands is far worse than
Gen. Otis has represented and one Ne
braskan of rank said in plain words that
the war was no nearer ended than when
William Grayson fred the fist Shot at
Manila Feb. 4. He said:
1.-The Filipinos show no sign of yield
ing. Americans must adopt the sama
methods pursued by the pioneers who
settled the far West. They must drive
the country. The Filipinos must be
treated as the American Indians have
been"
He declared that it was folly to talk
about crushing the rebellion with an
army of 10000 men, as it was not possible
with this force to hold the country
taken. He continued:
Remember that this trouble is prac-
tically only on the island of Luzon Min
danao, near Luzon, was abandoned by
Spain, except for a few garrisons, after
years of fighting to reduce the natives
to subsection. The people are even more
warlike than the Tagalos and the Lord
only knows what will happen when the
United States tackles them"
ARRAIGNMENT OF OTIS.
He would not make specific criticism OF
Gen Otis, but said that the commander
was grossly Understanding the difficult
ties to be overcome. The soldiers are
far more outspoken. They charge Gen
Otis not only with incompetency, but ac-
cuse him Of using his office for personal
gain and with causing needless sacrifice
of lives by his ignorance of details of
the field. A few of the Nebraska men
were interviewed, but hundreds of others
express similar views 1t is a remarka-
bic fact that politics seems to cut no
figure with these men, who have been
away so long that they are no longer
In touch with political matters at home
Fl. c. Shaw, Company c, said: Gen.
Otis is certainly not the right man for
the position he holds. Whether he is
simply incompetent or whether he wants
TO prolong the struggle in the islands, as
some of the men think, I am unable 10
state, but there is something radically
wrong with the MANAGEMENT of the late
campaign. I don't believe that we win
make any progress in the Philippines un-
til Otis is removed and an energetic and
capable officer substituted
Bert Clarke, Company B. said. ."T,be
failure of the American campaign at the
island of Luzon is directly traceable to
Gen. Otis policy of treating the insur-
gents as amigos instead of enemies
Gen. Otis said F. c. Turner, Com
pany NJ, 'is the poorest stick holding a
responsible military position in the world
today. He is a fraud, for he does not trv
to close the war. His administration IN
the Philippines is responsible for the
present disgraceful condition of affairs. ,,
j. b. Cory, Company B, said: "Otis is
an incompetent weal1ling and is subject
: TO the tantrums of an old woman. I
don't believe that Otis is competent to
end the war If he wishes to, and if really
seems as If he is afraid one of his GEN
erals will end it and get the glory which
he demands as his right. The men have
no confidence in him.
OFFICIAL REPORTS SCONTRADTCT1D
When we were in absolute distress, y
said F. Harris, musician, "Otis cabIed
that everything was moving smoothly. -
w. A. Craig, Company G, said: "Ous
has a fat job and has a chance to make
fortune in the Philippines, and he is
not going to close out the war and lose
his position. A better and abler man
and one who is not influenced by religious
sects must be sent If we are to conoueT
the Filipinos"
People here in the United States do not
understand the seriousness of the situa-
ton IN the islands owing to the persist
ent Misrepresentation of conditions
there" said A. Powell, musician.
AS general Otis is an unqualified
failure, said Albert Kemp, Company K.
Even the Filipinos laugh at his too an.
parent incompetency. Our soldiers in
the Philippines have been htndered more
by Gen. Otis than by the insurgent
army"
Hugh Hogan, Company 5, said: "Otis
is selfishly using the war in Luzon as 2
means of enriching himself He neye,
leaves the walled city of Manila, and all
he has done SO far in the campaign has
= been to prevent other officers from gain.
ing the victories which our troops are
ready and willing to win
Q. ]. Johnson, Company b. said. "OtIs
is not doing the right thing in Manila
He sits in his palace inside the city ant
directs generals on the firing line to dc
this or that when they are far better abb.
to judge Of the advisability of the move
ment than he. If Gen. Lawton or Gen
Wheaton had been given command il
the islands the war would have beer
ended and the troops home long before
this
Gen. Otis" said S E. Hickman. Com
pany c. in a campaign lasting over 6
year, has accomplished absolutely moth
ing, and at present indications he will
accomplish nothing"
II. G. Cleveland, Company G. said
"Our regiment is q unit in denouncine
Gen. Otis as an incompetent weakling
it will take men to conquer the islands
but the first thing is to get general.
Dozens of others express similar senti
nents. The soldiers speak in terms o