The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-05-12
MESSAGES FROM OTIS.
End Of the War Near-VOlunteers Sat-
fsned-ArrIval OF the Hancock

fsned-ArrIvaI OF the Hancock
WASHINGTON, May u-General Otis
has cabled the War Department concerning
the situation I'm the Philippines. He says
that II Is very encouraging. The tone OF
the dispatch leads the officials here to be-
lieve that the end OF the Filipino insurTec-
ton is near at hand. Following is the text
OF the dispatch:
'sSituation as follows: Succeeded in pass
ing army gunboats to Calumpit for use in
Rio Grande; railway connections with that
point secured this week; passage OF gun
joyful demonstrations by inhabitants
In country passed over by troops
temporary civil administration inaugurated
gent abuses given as far as possible. Signs
Of insurgent disintegration daily manifested.
Obstacles which natural fears of country
present can be overcome.
In reply 20 the cable of Adjutant General
Corbin last night regarding return OF VOL
unteers General Otis cabled this morning:
volunteer organizations first TO return
now at Negros and forty-five miles from
Manila at front Expected that transports
now arriving Will take returning volun-
teers. Volunteers understand they will be-
gin to leave for the United states the lat
OF their presence here at this time and ac-
cept sacrifice which United States interests
make imperative. The Hancock is now en-
tering the harbor. Transports returning this
week carry sick and wounded as follows:
Pennsylvania and st. Paul not needed
longer In southern waters. where they have
been retained. hence dispatch Transports
Nelson and Cleveland brought freight; re-
turl without cargo.
A later dispatch from General Otis says:
Health and condition of troos arrived on
Hancock excellent. Two deaths en- route,
Private Dio T.. Jo-,es and Elmer III. Chew
aiier. Companies L and r, Twenty-frst In
fantry, April "A and 20
The cables from Otis to-day were gratify-
ing to the officials of the War Department.
Portions of the dispatch regarding the sit
uation were not made public. relating 1t is
understood, to prospective movements. The
cable regarding the return OF the volunteers
indicates the troops are making no clamor
TO be sent home. but see the necessity of
remaining until they can be relieved by the
regulars now on their way and to be sent
to Manila as soon as they can be shipped.
Otis says the troops to be sent first ara i'm
the Island of Negros and at the front This.
no doubt, means the California regiment,
which is probably In Negros. as it Is known
the Oregon regiment is with General Law
ton In the vicinity OF Maasin.
The Hancock, which General Otis reports
having arrived. sailed from San Francisco
April IS. carrying the Twenty-first Infantry
and light Battery E. First Artillery, thirty
nine officers and 1.i51 enlisted men. Col
Jacob Kline. Twenty-frst Infantry COM
manding. The trip OF the Hancock across
the Pacific was a record-breaker Up to
this time the record was twenty-eight days
The Sherman made the eastward trip and
the Seneca and Scandal the western trip
In that period OF time. The time of the
Hancock was twenty-five days and the ves-
sci covered the entire distance across the
Pacific without stop. being the first one OF
the transports TO accomplish that feat. The
success OF the Hancock has decided the de-
partment TO do away with the usual stop
at Honolulu hereafter in the case of all
transports having coal capacity sufficient TO
make the seven thousand-mile trip from
San Francisco TO Manila
There are five troop ships now on the
Pacific en- route 10 Manila with reinforce
ments and stores for General Otis's army
The Warren left San Francisco April 20.
two days later than the Hancock. and is
due al Manila within the next ten DAYS.
She carried eight batteries OF the Sixth Ar
tiliery. including 30 officers and sl2 men and