The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1899-06-27
Otis SENDS REPORT.
Details Conditions In the Phil
ippine Islands.
REBEL FORCES BADLY SCATTERED
Sections Inhabited by Tagals Now Prac-
tically Under American Control-Ne-
brasl<a Volunteers ON shipboard, Ready
to Sail For Home.

WASHINGTON, June 27.-General Otis,
IN reply to q cablegram from the war
department asking for information re-
garding the situation and condition in
the Philippines, cabled q long reply, as
follows:
j MANILA, June 26. Rainy season.
Little inland campaigning possible in
Luzon. We occupy large portion Taga-
log country, lines stretching from linus
south to San Fernando north, nearly
10 miles, and to eastward into Laguna
province. Insurgent armies have suf-
fered great losses and are scattered; only
large force held together is about 1000
i'll Tarlac province and northern Pam
panga., Their scattered forces are in
bands of so to 500 in other portions of
Luzon; in Cavite and Batangas prov
inces could assemble possibly 1900,
though demoralized from recent defeat.
The mass of the people are terrorized by
insurgent soldiers, desire peace and
American protection and no longer flee
on the approach of our troops unless
forced to do SO by the insurgents, but
gladly welcome them; no recent burn
ing of towns. Population within our
lines becoming dense, taking up land
and cultivation extensively. They are
kept out of Manila as much as possible,
as the city population is becoming too
great to be cared for. Natives south
east of Luzon are combining to drive
out the insurgents.
The only hope Of insurgent leaders is
United States aid. They proclaim the
near overthrow of the present admins
tration, to be followed by their inde-
pendence and recognition by the United
States. This is the influence which en-
ables them to hold out. Much conten-
ton prevails among them and no civil
government remains. Trade with ports
not in our possession and former source
of insurgent revenue now interdicted.
Am not certain of wisdom of this policy,
as the people in those ports are without
supply of food and merchants are suf-
fering losses. I mediate restoring
trade privileges, although insurgents
will reap the benefits. The courts here
are in successful operation under dir
ection of able FiGpinos.
Other Islands Are Quiet.
Affairs in other islands are COMPARE
lively quiet, awaiting results in Luzon.
All are anxious for trade and repeated
calls for American troops received. Am
giving attention to Jolo archipelago and
Palawin islands. Our troops have
worked to the limit of endurance. Vol.
unteer organizations have been called
in and replaced by regulars, who now
occupy salient positions. Nebraska,
Pennsylvania and Utah troops now TAX
ing transports and the Sixth infantry
has been sent to Negros to relieve the
Californians. These troops are in good
physical condition, sickness among
troops has increased lately, due mostly
to arduous service and climatic infln-
ences. Nothing alarming. OF the 12
per cent of the command reported sick,
nearly 6 per cent is i'll the general hos
pital, OF whom per cent have typhoid
and II malarial fevers; % per cent have
various ailments, ID of which is due to
wound injuries, Many officers and men
who served in Cuba become sick with
recurrence of Cuban fever and regular
regiments lately received are inade-
quately officered. OTIs.