The Dalles times-mountaineer. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1882-1904, 1899-07-01
BOLSTERING UP
HIS CASE
Another Vain Glorious Dis
patch From Otis.

| WASHINGTON, June 26.-Genera
Otis, in reply to cable from the wal
department asking for information
regarding the situation and condition:
in the Philippines, today cabled long
reply as follows:
"MANILA, June 26.-AdJutant-Gen'
eral, Washington: 1t is the rainy
season, and there is little inland cam
paigning iu Luzon. We occupy the
larger portion of the Tagalog country,
our lines stretching from Ismus. south.
TO San Fernando, north, nearly &c
miles, and eastward into Laguna prov
| irce. The insurgent armies have suf-
fered great losses and are scattered.
The only large force together is about
1000 in Tarlac province and Northern
Pampanga.
Their scattered forces are in bands
of from so to 500. In other portions of
Luzon-in Cavite and Batangas prov
inces-they could assemble possibly
1000 though demoralized from recent
defeats.
The mass of the people, terrorized
by the insurgent soldiers, desire peace
and American protection, and no
longer flee on the approach of our
troops. unless forced by the insurgents
but gladly welcome them. There has
been no recent burning of towns. The
mi in ia hannm.
ing dense, and the Inhabitants are
taking up land cultivation extensively,
being kept out of Manila as much as
possible, as the city population Is be-
coming too great to be cared for.
The natives of southeast 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 admin
istration is to be followed by their in.
dependence and recognition of 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 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 parts are with
out supply of food, and the merchants
are suffering losses. The courts are
in successful operation, under the di-
rection of able Filipinos.
affairs in other islands are COM
paritively quiet, awaiting the results
in Luzon. They are anxious for trade,
and repeated calls for American troops
are received. Am giving attention to
the Jolo and Palawan islands. The
American troops have worked to the
limit of endurance. The volunteer
organizations have been called in and
replaced by regulars, who now occupy
salient positions Nebraska, Penn
sylvania 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 mas in
creased lately. due mostly to arduous
service and climatic influences. There
is nothing alarming, however. OF the
IL per cent of the command reported
sick, nearly 6 per cent are in the gen.
eral hospital, of whom 3 per cent haye
typhoid and II maIarial fever: II per
cent have intestine trouble, and the
remaining So per cent have various
ailments, IA of which are due to wound
injuries. Many of the officers and men
who served in Cuba break down under
a recurrence of the Cuban fever, and
the regular regiments lately received
are einadequately officered. OTIS"