The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1899-07-01
THE SITUATION IN MANILA.
OTIS SENDS A FULL REPORT
Campaigning VIII stop During Rainy
Season-Our Line Sixty Miles Long
Insurgent Army scsttered-The Masses
Desire Peace-yolunteers Relieved,

Washington, June 27.-General Otis, in
reply to a cable from the war department
asking for information regarding the sit
uation and conditions in the Philippines
today, cables a long reply, as follows:
Manila, June 27.-Adjutant General,
Washington; Durig the rainy season there
can be little inland campaigning in Luzon.
We occupy the larger portion of the Tag
alo country, our lines stretching from
linus ON the south to San Fernando on the
north, nearly 90 miles, and eastward into
Laguna province.
The insurgent armies have suffered
great losses and are scattered. The only
large force together is about 1000 in Tar
lac province and northern Pampanga. Their
scattered forces are in bands of from 90 to
500. In other portions of Luzon, in Cavite
and Batangas provinces, they could as
semble possibly 1000, though they are de-
moralized from recent defeats.
THE mass of the people, terrorized by
the insurgents soldiers, desire peace and
American protection. They no longer flee
on the approach of our troops, unless
forced by the insurgents, but gladly well
come them. There has been no recent
burning of towns.
The population within our lines is be-
coming dense, taking up land cultivation
extensively. They are kept out OF Manila
as much as possible, as the city popula-
ton is becoming too great to be cared for
in
bining to drive out the insurgents.
THE only hope of the insurgent leaders
is for United States aid. They proclaim
the near overthrow of the present admin
istration, to be followed by their indie
pendence and recognition by the United
States. This is the influence which en-
ables them to hold out Much contention
prevails among them, and no civil govern
ment remains.
Trade with ports not in our possession,
and formerly the source of insurgent reve-
nue., is now interdicted, but l am not GER
tain OF the wisdom of this policy, as the
people in these parts are without supply
of food and the merchants are suffering
losses. l mediate restoring trade privi-
leges, although the insurgents may reap
the benefits.
"The courts are in successful operation
under the direction of able Filipinos.
affairs in other islands are compare
lively quiet, awaiting the results in Luzon,
! They are anxious for trade and repeated
calls for American troops are received.
am giving attention to the Jolo and
Palawan islands.
The American troops have worked to
the limit of endurance. The volunteer or
CARNATIONS have been called in and re-
placed by regulars, who now occupy the
salient positions. Nebraska, Pennsylvania
and Utah are now taking transports and
the Sixth infantry has been sent to Negros
to relieve the Californians. These troop:
are in good physical condition.
Sickness among the troops has increas
ed lately, due mostly to arduous service
and climatic influences. There is nothing
alarming, however. OF the II per cent O.
the command reported sick, nearly six ar,
in the general hospital, of whom 3 per cen
have typhoid and IL malarial fever; Il
per cent have various ailments, IA of whicl
are due to wound injuries. Many officer
and men who served in Cuba, break dow
under recurrence of the Cuban fever, anC
the regular regiments lately received ar
inadequately Differed. OTIS"