The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1899-07-12
THE OUTLOOK At MANILA
General Otis, by Request, Reports at
Length to the Government.
RAINY SEASON WORKS INJURY.

Our Troops Hold the Country From linus
on tho South to San Fernando on the
North-Alleeed Insurgent Desperation
and Native Desire For Peace-The Sick.
ness Among the Soldiers.
WARRINGTON, D. G. (SpeciaD.-Genera
Otis, In reply to cable from the War De
bartment asking for information regarding
the situation and conditions In the Philip.
pines, cabled long reply as follows:
"MAN1LA.
"Adjutant. General, Washington:
"Rainy season. Little inland campaign.
Ing possible In Luzon. We occupy large
portion Tagalog country, lines stretching
from linus south to San Fernando north,
nearly sixty miles, and to eastward into
Laguna province. Insurgent armies have
suffered great losses and are seatteredi
only large force held together about 4O00,
In Tarlac province and northern Phampan-
aga. Their scattered forces in bands Of
fifty to five hundred In other portions Lu-
zon: In Cavite and in Butangas provinces
could assemble possibly two thousand,
though demoralized from recent defeat;
mass Of people terrorized by tnsurGent
soldiers, desire peace and American pro-
lection; no longer fee on approach OF
our troops, unless forced by insurgents,
but gladly welcome them; no recent burn
Ing OF towns; population within our lines
becoming dense; taking up land cultiva-
ton extensively; kept out Manila much
as possible, as city population becoming
too great to be cared for. Natives OF
southeast Luzon combining to drive out
Insurgents.
"Only hope insurgent leaders is United
States aid. They proclaim near overthrow
present administration, to be followed bY
their independence and recognition by
United States. This Is the influence which
enables them hold out; much contention
prevails among them and no civil govern
ment remains; trade with ports. not IN our
possession, former source fnsurgent rev.
snue, now interdlcted; not certain OF Wis
dom Of this policy, as people IN those ports
are without supply OF food and merchants
suffering losses; mediate restoring trade
privileges, although insurgents renp bene-
Ats. Courts here In successful operation
Under direction Of able Flliplnos. Affairs
In other islands comparatively quiet,
awaiting results In Luzon. All anxious Tor
trade and repeated calls for American
troops received. Am giving attention to
Jolo Archipelago and Palawsn Islands:
"Our troops have worked to limit OF en-
durance. Volunteer organizations have
be en- called In; replaced BY regulars, VINO
now occupy salient positions. Nebraska
Pennsylvaniaand Utah now taxing trans.
ports and Sixth Infantry sent to Negros to
relieve California. These troops In good
physical condition; sickness among troops
has Increased lately, due mostly to ardu-
GUS service. and climatic influences. Moth
Ing alarming. OF the twelve per cent. OF
the command reported sick, nearly six IN
general hospital, of whom three per cent.
have typhoid and seventeen malarial tevers;
TWENTY-FIVE per cent. have Intestinal
trouble, remaining fifty,ave per cent. have
various ailments, fourteen OF which due 70
wound Injuries. Many officers and men
who served in Cuba break under recur-
renee. Cuban fever, and regular regl-
ments lately received are inadequeteiy
of1cered. "oTIs."
The inadequacy OF the number Of officers
mentioned In the last part OF General Otis's
:ablegram has been remedied by the sail.
Ing Of the transports Zealandia and Shert-
dan. carrying q number Of officers for regi.
ments in the Philippines. Adjutant- Gen.
eral CorbIn says that all officers belonging
to regiments n the Philippines who are not
absent on account OF a surgeons certificate
are under orders to join their regiments at
once. Forty.four officers have sailed on
the recent transports going to Manila.
General Otis's detailed report OF the con-
dItions existing In the Philippines is con-
sidered very satisfactory at the war De'
partmsnt. It Is taken to mean tnat Gen.
sral Otis will not now prosecute cam
paign on account OF the rainy seas on, e1'
eept where the insurgents make 1t neces'
5ary to defend the territory now In posses
,ion OF the United States.
That portion OF the dispatch telling OF
the belief among the Fllipinos tLat the the
present policy OF the United States VIII
not he Upheld Is regarded as Of great
significance. 1t is believed that when the
Filipinos see there Is no hope OF theii
recognition by the United States they viii
give up the fight. The absence OF any
suggestion as to more troops being needed
is taken to mean that General Otis does
not believe they could be used to ao
vantage at present.