The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1899-04-19
CANNOT HOLD CONQUERED CITIES.
LAwToN GIVES UP.
Positions Had to be oarrisoned Which
Reduced the Fighting Forces.

American progress In the Philip
pines must soon cease. The army now
possesses several strongholds and de-
sirable positions, but In order to
maintain these large garrisons must
be established These garrisons have
slowly reduced Gen. Lawton's fighting
forces. and he now finds that further
Invasion is impossible. Accordingly,
the territory viii be evacuated and the
troops will return to Manila.
Gen. Lawton says that II will take
100000 men to pacify the natives. Then
he could force his way to the end of
the islands.
II has been known for some time
that General Otis was extending his
lines throughout the island. The main
purpose of his movements In the last
two months was to drive the rebels
away from Manila, thus avoiding in
ternational complications over the
destruction of property of foreign res
idents.
The fact that many volunteers may
elect to return to the United states, I'm
view of the exchange of treaty ratifica-
lions, Il is believed by some to explain
the recall of Lawtons force. General
Otis has reported In all his dispatches
that the volunteers desired to remain
until the rebellion was suppressed, but
this may be taken as rejecting the
Views of the officers rather than those
of the enlisted men.
To conservative officers II has ap-
peared that General Otis was advan-
cling his lines and distributing his men
| throughout q section of the country
| from which no immediate benefit would
| be derived. The rebels which General
Lawton has been pursuing number
| less than 5000.
Secretary Alger and other War De-
| partment officials deny that the Pres
| ident Is considering the enlsting of
| the $4,000 men for two years author
| lied by the army bill. 1t is asserted
| that the present force of the regular
army Is amply able to cope with exist
| ing conditions In the Philippines.
General Otis has advised against the
enlisting of natives In the Philippines
| for the present. He does not believe
they would be loyal to the United
| states and fears to put arms into their
| hands.
The rainy season begins May 49,
and 1t is possible that all offensive
| operations will be discontinued for a
| time. 1t will be almost impossible to
| operate against the rebels during that
| season.
War has become so commonplace an
| experience to Manila that the average
citizen no longer thinks of becoming
excited over 1t. Every night some point
of the horizon Is crimsoned by the re-
| Election from burning huts kindled by
| the soldiers to deprive the insurgents
| of hiding places. Every nights quiet
| Is shaken by the firing from the line
| encompasslng the city. Every morn
ing brings its pitiful little consignment
| of uncomplaining wounded to the hos
| pital. Manila forms an American
| oasis in the island of LuZon. Around
the city stretches a thin line fifteen
| miles long of entrenched soldiers.
The Philippine goes into the field un-
| incumbered with useless baggage.
| Trousers or drawers, shirt worn out
| side of them, a straw hat, cartridge
| belt and rifle, a section of bamboo
stalk filled with rice, a handful of
green peppers tied In a handkerchief,
| sometimes sandals-these form the
| equipment of Philippine soldier
Caloocan Church is a picture of the
havoc of war. There General MacAr-
| thur has had his headquarters. The
| roof, sky-blue fresco. studded with
| gilt stars, has Jagged holes where
| shells from Dewey's ships came
| through. Within the chancel rail Is
| the Office OF the staff. and the pulpits
| are used for desks. a telephone hangs
| beside the statue of a saint. while the
| telegraph clicks necessarily In an al
| cove. Cots and hammocks fill the
body OF the church where soldiers are
| sprawled out smoking and reading
when off duty. A hospital occupies a
| chapel In the corner.