New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-06-29
GENERAL OTIS SUSTAINED.
HIS WISHES AS To STRENGTH OF
HIS ARMY RESPECTED.
THE PRESIDENTS DETERMINATION TO
SEND NO TROOPS IN EXCESS OF AN
THOUSAND MEN UNCHANGED.


THOUSAND MEN UNCHANGED.
IBY TELEGRAPH TRIBUNE.I
Washington June 2S-The President has
again decided that General Otis is a better Judge
OF the Philippine situation, which has been un-
der his immediate control for nearly year,
than the irresponsible and for the most part
hysterical agitators at home who have been
cIamoring for the quick dispatch of more regi-
Tnents across the Pacific, with the impracticable
idea Of promptly annihilating the scattered
Tagal rebels in Luzon. The reports sent broad
cast from Washington to-day that forty thou
sand men would be given to General Otis as
rapidly as ships could transport them turns out
10 have been purely speculative, invented either
by distorted imaginations or evolved through
pure malice 10 embarrass the authorities with
applications for volunteer commissions.
UNQUALIFIED SUPPORT FOR OTIS.
The Presidents determination to send no
troops to General Otis in excess OF effective
force Of thirty thousand Is tonight un-
changed as when II was announced in The
Tribune on June 13. Instead Of wavering and
exhibiting any hesitation uncertainty. the
President is steadfast in his decision TO give
General Otis his unqualified support. and, under
70 circumstances TO increase the Eighth Army
Corps In the Philippines above its present au-
thorized strength Of about thirty-fve thousand.
Of which Ave thousand is to cover those inca
pacitated for various reasons from active cam
paigning operations.
The fictitious reinforcements for Manila
which were alleged to have been ordered to-
day had for their foundation protracted con-
ference at the White House. in which Secretary
Alger. Adjutant-General Corbin and Assistant
puartermaster-General Bird participated. Colo
10 aharp Of
and he was called in solely TO tell how many vol
unteers he could bring back from Manila by Au-
gust l. the date set by the President as the
limit within which all the State organizations
should be relieved of duty and on their way
to receive their discharges. Colonel Bird guar
snteed TO furnish transports for $500 men
By that time. There remain in Manila more
than eleven thousand volunteers. and to bring
home the additional two thousand 1t was de-
cided 10 secure extra ships On this simple
decision designed solely TO keep good promises
that have been made. the fabric Of rushing rein
forcements in chartered ships to Manila was
woven.
PRESIDENT RESISTING PRESSURE.
The pressure brought TO bear upon the Presi-
Sent TO hurry large numbers of unacclimated'
undisciplined volunteers to Luzon has been al
most Irresistible in its force for the last month
as repeatedly shown in The Tribune. The agl-
tation was aggressvely unreasonable IN the
light of General Otis's reports, many Of which
from their very nature could not be placed AT
the disposal Of elements in certain parts OF the
country which were devoting every effort TO
annoy the President, and even his strong
supporters In some instances evinced an utter
disregard for military opinion which differed
from their IDEAS Of political exigepcy.
The President in speaking to a friend to-day.
sompared the movement to last summers clam
prous cry Of ION to Havana when people re-
fused to see that Santiago's fall ended the war
and thousands Of lives would be sacrificed In a
forced march of one hundred thousand men in
Cuban jungles II the same as the impa-
nent impossible demand thirty years ago
N "On to Richmond!
REBEL. STRENGTH OvEREsTIMATED.
The TagaI rebellion does not deserve the i'm
portance frantically given to II in parts Of New
England The President is satisfied from un-
questionable sources other than military that
nine-tenths Of the inhabitants Of the Philippine
Archipelago welcome and respect American oc-
supation The discordant element is almost in
significant and only held together by promises OF
loot. General Otis has reported that no rebel
body exceeding four thousand men is in exist
tnce and there only two such bodies. Eight
thousand we'll armed American soldiers ought to
AXE care OF these. leaving twenty thousand men
20 preserve order and establish liberal govern
ment in the rest Of the islands now completely
pacifed and the Administration is satisfied with
NAT view OF the case.
The President has reiterated his intention to
retain General Otis in complete command beyond
he Pacific as long as the General continues TO
avoid mistakes Everything ne asks for will be
nd
reasonable undertaking. His opinion that more
troops are undesirable will be respected, and he
Nin not be embarrassed and Inundated by hav-
ng his campaign conducted at eight-thou-
and-mie range.
General Otis has demonstrated to the Presi-
aent's satisfaction that small bodies OF insur-
tents cannot be followed through the jungle at
!his season without wilful sacrifice OF men from
climatic influences. disease heat prostration
md overexertion Operations cannot be actively
conducted more than twenty miles from the
base OF supplies, account Of lack OF trans
portation such as would be unknown In Africa,
Asia or other parts Of the world. American SOL
siers cannot fight without food on the firing
dne and IL is much harder TO move supply
rains In Luzon thar in Cuba. Most OF the sup
,ies for Lawtons expedition to the north of
Manila were carried by Cinnamon. Macarthur
depended on the railroad and boats. General
Wheaton recently. in Cavite Province, utilized
Cinnamon as pack bearers. and small boats
along the coast and in rivers Commercial
transportation in Luzon was carried on by do
mestieated buffaloes. Nearly all these animals
nave long ago been killed by the rebels 10 pre-
vent Americans from utilizing them. Mules.
which would be useless for the next three
months. may be useful next fall Horses are
declared 10 be beyond consideration in such
climate and with such roads.
Large bodies Of troops cannot be maneuvred