The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1899-06-27
FROM GEN.: OTIS.
Statement of Condition OF Affairs I'm the
Philippines.

Washington, June 26.-General Otis in
reply to cable from the war department
asking for inf ormstion regarding the
situation and conditions In the Philip
pines today cabled long reply as fol-
lows;
Manila, June 20, 1899.
Adiutant General. Washington:
Rainy season. Little inland campaign
ing possible in Luzon. We occupy large
portion TAgalog country. lines stretching
nearly sixty miles, and to eastward into
Laguana province. Insurgent armies
have suffered great losses and are scat
tered; only large force held together
about four thousand In Tarlac province
and northern PampanaGa. Their scat
tered forces IN bands of 30 to 500 in other
portions Luzon, In Cayite and Bataangas
provinces could assemble possible two
thousand though demoraiized from recent
defeat wass of people terroBized by In
surgent soldiers desire peace and Amert-
can protection; do not fee ON approach
Of our troops unless forced by insurgents.
burning Of towns. Population within
our lines becoming dense, taking up
land cultivation extensively; kept out
Manila much as possible, as city popu-
lation becoming too great to be cared for.
Natives southeast Luzon combining to
drive out insul gents; only hope insur-
gent leaders is United States aid. They
proclaim overthrow the present admin
istration to be followed by Independence
and recognition by United States. This
the influence which enables them to hold
out; much contention prevails among
them and no civil government remains;
trade with ports, not in our possession,
former source insurgent revenue now
mi tad fafr ~ foIn nfx n Go
policy, as people in those ports are with
out supply of food and merchants suffer-
ing lossss; mediate restoring trade priv
eleges, although insurgents reap benefits.
Courts here in successful operation under
direction OF able Filipinos. Affairs In
other islands comparatively quiet. await
Ing results in Luzon. All anxious for
trade and repeated calls for American
troops received. Am giving attention to
Jolo Archipelago and Palawan islandG
Our troops have worked to limit of en-
durance Volunteer organizations have
been called In replaced by regulars who
now occupy salient points. Nebraska,
transports and 9th infantry sent Co
Negros to relief California. These troops
in good physical condition; sickness
among troops has increased lately, due
mostly To arduous service and climatic
influences. Nothing alarming. or the
twelve per cent of the command reported
sick nearly six In general hospital of
whom three per cent have typhoid
and IL malarial fevers; s6 per cent have
intestinal troubles; remaining So per
cent have various ailments, fourteen of
which due to wound injuries. Many eff1-
GERS and men who served in Cuba break
down under recurrence Cuban fever, and
regular1 regiments lately received are
inadsquately differed.
Adiufanf Csauaral COrhin saws that all
officers belonging 10 regiments in the
Philippines who are not absent on ac-
count OF surgeons certificate are under
orders to join their regiments at once.
Forty four officers have sailed on the
recent transports going to Manila.
Secretary Alger said today that no ae-
tion will be taken for the enlargement of
the army or. sending troops to reinforce
General 0tis until the return Of President
MeKinIey. He also said that General
Wheeler would receive no assignment
until that time.