The times., 1899-08-27
THANKED BY THEIR CHIEF.
General Otis Praises the Men In Hi.
Command

The War Department received Yesterday
by mail copy of the order issued bv
General Otis to the troops in the Pbilin-
pines on July 1 last. The order is TO a
certain extent explanatory of the early
campaign against the Filipinos, and COM
mends and thanks both the regular and
| volunteer organizations for the patience
forbearance. and good service they have
! rendered. The order reads as follows:
Emergencies have rendered 1t impos-
sihle TO transport to the United States the
volunteer organizations of the army of the
philippines as soon as medtated and de-
sired, thereby preventing their members
from Joining their homes and re-engaging
| in their civil pursuits for a considerable
period of time after they acquired the
acknowledged right to demand their release
and return. Notwithstanding this unex-
pected detention, these soldiers have un-
compfainingly given their Government un-
interrupted military service attended with
deprivations and dangers to life and health
which those of their countrymen unac-
quainted with conditions can neither realize
nor approximately appreciate.
This spirit of devotion to country and
! its announced humanitarian policy mani
tested so abundantiy in their individual
sacrifices has animated them from the day
they commenced their long voyage of 1000
miles OF sea to engage it's European enemy,
then represented in these islands, and as
sist the island subjects to obtain social and
political regeneration. 1t did not fail them
when those subjects. freed by their efforts
from the control of Spain and deceived by
evii-diSposed persons to distrust the ben
efcent intentions of the United States in
their behalf placed themselves in hostile
att ude with surprising celebrity. They dis
played its greatest achievement during the
weeks of waiting and watching, when, con-
fined within the city limits of a single
city by the battle lines of a self-consti-
tuted enemy, these men offered neither
threat nor violence for insults received and
the hostile demonstrations which menaced
them. On the contrary, responding 60 their
Governments commands to avoid war, they
vainIy endeavored to placate that enemy
by peaceful and friendly assurances.
tThis obedience to instructions was con-
strued as cowardice by the insurgent army
and influenced it to precipitate formida-
bic attack, assured not only of victory but
of its ability to completely destroy its de-
clared adversary. The victory, in fact. was
won and belonged to the American soldiers
at the moment that attack was inaugural
ed, for they were then absolved from the
duty of longer self-imposed restraint which
they had rigidly enforced during the pre-
ceding weeks of anxious expectancy,
whereby tney exhibited the GROWING virtue
OF the highest type of civilization. They
had achieved the victory over themselves.
and the easier task of confronting an enc
my who had assailed the majesty OF their
Government alone remained. This they
have accomplished most efficiently. With
standing the heat of the tropics, its seorch-
ing sun and drenching rains, overcoming
every obstacle which prolific nature and
willy active and courageous foe could de-
wise, their onward march has been a series
of astonishing successes. They have re-
sponded with alacrity to every demand
made upon them, however desperate the
consequences might appear and have never
failed to more than accomplish expected
results.
ITO all soldiers of the department the
department commander desires to ac-
knowledge his great obligations. The
country owes them debt of gratitude
which it cannot repay. To the volunteers
and troops of the regular establishment
who pledged their services during the war
with Spain only. and have continued to
render them under sacrifices innumerable
without complaint, and cheerfu,ly. inte Ii
gently appreciating as they did the public
necessities, even greater praise and re-
gard are due. Some have recently depart
ed. All others viii follow within a short
can be secured. The department COM
mander desires for them a speedy and
safe return to their homes aud that mer-
tied rest and public gratitude to which
their exceptional services entit'e them"