The Yale expositor., 1899-06-30
OTIS SENDS LONG REPORT.
Details of the Present Situation in
the Philippines.
COUNTRY HELD BY TROOPS.
Territory Controlled by Americans EN-
braces Nearly sixty Miles North and
South of anila-Growing Desire for
Peace Among the Natives.

Washington, June 27.-Gen. Otis in
reply to a cable from the war depart
ment asking for information regarding
situations and conditions in the Phil
ippines, today cabled a long reply as
, follows:
Manila, June 26.-Adjutant Gener
al, Washington: Rainy season. Little
inland campaigning possible in Luzon.
We occupy large portion Tagalog coun-
try, lines stretching from linus south,
to San Fernando north, nearly sixty
miles, and to eastward into Laguna
province. Insurgent armies have suf-
fered great losses and are scattered;
only large force held together about
1000 in Tarlac province and northern
Pampanga. Their scattered forces are
in bands of fifty to five hundred in
other portions of Luzon; in Cavite and
Batangas provinces could assemble
possibly 1000, though demoralized from
recent defeat. Mass of people terror
lied by insurgent soldiers, desire peace
and American protection no longer
flee on approach of our troops unless
forced by insurgents, but gladly well
come them. No recent burning of
towns. Population within our lines
becoming dense, taking up land Guilt
walton extensively; kept out of Man
lila much as possible, as city population
is becoming too great to be cared for.
Natives southeast of Luzon COM
bining to drive out insurgents; only
hope of insurgent leaders is United
States aid. They proclaim near over
throw Of the present administration,
to be followed by their independence
and recognition by 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 pos
session, a former source of insurgent
revenue, now interdicted; not certain
of wisdom Of this policy, as people in
those parts are without supply of food
and merchants are suffering losses;
mediate restoring trade privileges, al
though insurgents reap benefits. Courts
here in successful operation under d.
rection of able Filipinos. Affairs in
other islands comparatively quiet,
awaiting results in LuZon. All anX-
ious for trade, and repeated calls for
American troops are received. Am
giving attention to Jole archipelago
and Palawan islands.
hox cd 10 ha iv,oft
OF endurance. Volunteer organizations
have been called in and replaced by
regulars, who now occupy salient posi-
tions. Nebraska, Penn ylvania and
Utah now taking tran sports, and
Sixth infantry sent to Negroes to re-
lieve California. These troops are in
good physical condition; sickness
among troops has increased lately, due
mostly to arduous service and climatic
influences. Nothing alarming.
"Of the IL per cent of the command
reported sick nearly in general hos
pital, of whom per cent have typhoid
and II malarial fevers; rs per cent
have intestinal trouble remaining So
per cent have various ailments, IA of
which are due to wound injuries. Many
officers and men who served in Cuba
break under recurrence of Cuban fever,
and regular regiments received are in
adequately officered
"OTIS."
The inadequacy of the number of Of
ficers mentioned in the last part of the
cablegram has been remedied by the
sailing of the transports Zelandia and
Sheridan, carrying a number of OFF,
GERS for regiments in the Philippines.
Adjt.Gm. Corbin says all officers be-
longing to regiments in the Philippines
who are not absent on account of q
surgeons certificate are under orders
to join their regiments at once Forty
four have sailed on the recent trans
ports going to Manila.
Secretary Alger said that no action
will be taken for the enlargement of
the army or sending troops to re-en-
force Gen. Otis until the return of
President Mckinley. He also said that
Gen. Wheeler would receive no assign
ment until that time.