Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-10-28
NJ ORE LATITUDE
To Be Given Generals Lawton and
Macarthur.
THE PRESIDENTS DETERMINATION
Vigorous Prosecution of War in
the Philippines.
sen NATORS' OPINI ms

On positive information the statement
can be made that Generals Lawton and
Macarthur are to be given more latitude in
the future operations in the Philippines,
and that in measure General Otis will be
relieved of some of the responsibilities.
President Mckinley after a thorough
study or the situation, and after fully sz-
ing up the capabilities of all the men con-
cerhed, mas decided that the commanding
ofhcers in the field shall have more author
1ty IN the conduct of the campaign than
heretofore. General Otis will not be re-
heved Of his command. and there will be no
chahge except in the manner described.
The Field Commands
General Lawton will command the forces
in one part of Luzon and General Mac
Arthur in another, and whenever they de-
eide upon move they consider right they
Will not have to ask for authority from
Manila General Otis will plan the man
her OF campaign he desires made, and
this WI be followed in a general wav hut
the details and the advisability of a change
In program will be left to the men who are
on the field and in position to hest indae
what ought to be done
1hose who have made statements hereto
tore that a vigorous campaign was to be
instituted nave probably not realized how
earnest the President is in his intention
thdt the word vigOr shall be carried ont in
It's strongest meaning. BY December l
$1,000 men will be in the Philippines, and
this number will be increased until large
army is in command of each of the gen
erals in the field. The armies will be s11fi-
clent in size to hold every place of inpor-
lance captured, and the F'ilipinos will be
Taught at the point of the bayOnet that
the authority of the United States must be
respected.
The President has been informed that the
rainy season Is drawing to close, and
Ihat the campaign can be pushed to a
speedy finish when it once begins The
President Is hopeful that an early end
will be made to the insurrection, and be-
HeNes that the present show of force will
believe that soon after the first heavy blow
Is struck the Insurgents will surrender.
Senator SeveITs Views
The President has talked to many of his
callers recently about the Philippines, and
all Of them who belong to his party have
approved the course that has been decided
upon. Senator Sewell of New Jersey,
whose abilities as a military leader are
well known, talked with the President to-
day and approved what is to be done
There Is only one way of dealing with the
Fthpinos,' said the senator, and that is
with powder, ball and bayonet They will
respect no other authority. I learned this
many years ago when on cruise of that
country. l had some experience then with
Philippine character which l will never
forget. The sooner We show the leaders
OF the insurrection that we are in real
earnest the sooner will be settled the Dues
uon OF the trouble. The President is alive
to the situation and is handling 1t with
skill"
What Senator CuIIOm Thinks.
Senator CUllom Of Illinois, who was at
the White House for a few minutes today,
SAID that he did not know whether Congress
would make any declaration as to the
policy of this country in the Philippines
1t is very doubtful he said, whether
any declaration by Congress would have
any effect upon the FiIIpinos. They might
laugh at It and say that IT was SO much
paper. The proper action for those fellows
Is just such as We are taking-a substantial
eLfcrceU Uent Of the authority of the gov
eminent. They will thoroughly understand
TINS kind Of policy, but they might not
understand any other kind. For other rea-
sons, however. it might be proper to make
some declaration, but at this time it is
hard to say what Congress may decide
upon. Events between now and the session
OF Congress may change the present state
of affairs"