The times., 1899-08-23

1t was stated at the War Department
yesterday that General Otis has been in
| strueted that he is for the present to hold
only such points as are now occupied by
the American troops in the Philippines. 1t
is said on good authority that a message
was sent to General Otis over u week ago
ordering him to desist from all unnecessary
attacks on the Filipinos. From recent de-
velopments it appears that the campaign in
the Philippines is really being conducted by
the Secretary of War, and that General Otis
is acting absolutely under instructions
from Washington. Secretary Root on sew
eral occasions has expressed the opinion
that it is useless for the American troops
now in the Philippines to wear Themselves
out capturing towns and camps which they
are unable to hold
AS his present course would seem to in
dicate, Secretary Root believes that the
only way to subjugate the insurgents is to
wage sharp and decisive campaign In all
parts of the island. 1t is Mr. Roots fnten-
tion to place enough troops at the disposal
of General Otis to completely overwhelm
Aguinaldo and his followers. All that is
now desired by the Secretary of War is
that Manila be held as a case of supplies
for the army Of $4,000 men which it is now
believed will be in the Philippines by Oc-
tober l. A prominent War Department
official expressed the opinion yesterday
that there will be very little fighting in
the Philippines until after the end of the
rainy season OF course General Otis st,li
retains certain amount of discretionary
power but the suggestion of the Secretary
of War will be followed except in some
emergency, when it may be deemed essen
tiai that an aggressive movement be made.
Every energy is being bent to equip per-
fectly the new regiments now recruiting.
The Quartermaster's Department has pro-
vided ample pack trains for service in the
Philippines Three hundred and fifty
mules were shipped to Mania last Friday
and more will be sent as soon as practical
bic. The Medical Department is also ac-
lively preparing for the autumn campaign.
1t is thought that a large consignment o,
rapid fire guns will be sent with the new
regiments. In addition to the enlistments
to be made at the regular offices for the
new regiments, each officer will be per-
nitted to remain at his home for about
ten days after appointment to do a little
hustling for recruits. II is thought that in
almost every case the officer will have
personal following and he may induce ten
or twelve of his friends to enlist in his
company. In such cases the recru IS gained
by the officers will be placed in the COM
pany to which the officer is to be attached
The department does not insist on the re-
cruiting of ten or twelve soldiers as a
prerequisite to appointment, although it
does not conceal the fact that the securing
of such recruits will give much satsfac-
ton. This course will also tend TO pre-
serve the local character of volunteer or
ganizations by placing in each company
group of soldiers from the same town. Or
ders authorizing enlist-nents of this char
acter viii be issued Monday
The following appointments were Of
fcially announced yesterday:
To be lieutenant colonel Of volunteers+w. s
Scott captain First Cavalry (vice Bigelow de-
ciined).
Tennessee; John L. Jordan, Tennessee; W. ].
Whitthome, Tennessee; Elmer o. Worrick, Ore.
gon George Dec. Gatlin New York: John Nc
Chntock, New York; Walter B. Elliott, Mis-
souri; W. j. kendrick Georgia; Frank S. Long,
Iowa; Joseph W. Glidden Maine
To be first heutenants of voiunteers-W. r
Molinard, New York; Harry A. Ely, New Jer-
sey; Frank S Krebs Missouri; Edward Mct,owan
Mississippi; w. X. Standiford West Yirriuia.
William I. Bishop, New Jersey; Arthur PoilIon.
New York; William A. Coyington, Tennessee:
Grant A. Trent, Tennessee; Andrew ] Brown
Tennessee; Frank Maloney, Tennessee; ThaddeIs
b. Seigle, North Carolina.
To be second lieutenants OF volunteers-Gideou
II. Williams. Tennessee; William A. Austin Ohio:
Bruce N Judd, Ohio; Nathan j. Shelton Ne
braska; X. Maxwell, Mississippi; Louis P Weber
New York, Charles s. Frank at large: William
Henry Wilson, New York; James H. Parks
Iowa; Edmund I. Paterson at large; w O.
Thornton Georgia; John r. Waugh. Nebraska