The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-02-14

from different positions. The general in each
case: he declared. was entitled to great
credit.
Il have no late news from Manila con-
Iinued the secretary, in answer to ques-
tons but If there had been anything inn
portant ] should have heard it. General Otis
IS entirely free TO do what he likes No in
structions have been sent to him as he is
Iully competent to deal with the situation
lie did not expect the attack by the natives.
lie mad reported unrest and uneasness
among them, but when the outbreak finally
came 1t was surprise to him. | can't tell
how long the trouble there will last but j
think the present force of troops will bo
sufficient General Otis has not asked for
any more men. / cannot tell about the
general disposition of the natives. General
Otis merely says that they have been show
ing signs of uneasiness for some time. 1t
depends upon circumstances whether the
regular troops now on the way to Manila
Will relieve equal number of volunteers.
That was the original Intention when the
regulars We're sent, but it is impossible to
say whether the plan can be carried out
Immediately
Il have not been able to ascertain whether
the army bill will pass at the present ses-
sion of Congress. l understand that Senator
Cockrell who is a member of the military
committee of the Senate is opposed to it,
but how much he will be able to accomplish
| cannot say"
will there be an extra session if the
I'LL does not pass? was asked
we must have an army, replied Gen.
Alger. The 1890 men we now have are
not enough.
secretary Alger spoke generally OF the
work now being done in Cuba. He said that
there was very little friction at Santiago.
In spite of the reports to that effect, Genera
Wood and General Brooke were working in
entire harmony. General Brooke, he said in
answer TO q question, was in charge of the
whole island. Some misunderstanding had
been caused at first by the mistake made
by the officers at Santiago, who thought that
the moneys collected at Santiago had to be
sent to Havana. This was not required, 1t
being necessary to send only reports of the
amounts received. The work of lettering
hampered somewhat by the lack of trans
portatiOn facilities in the interior and by
countless little difficulties which We're COM
ing up and being mastered He said that he
was satisfied with the work. Taking into
consideration the short time that had
been in Cuba. we were doing very we'll The
secretary said that a mystery in Cuba was
the whereabouts of the Cuban men. The
united States officers who had gone into the
interior had failed to find them. "Of
largely driven into the large cities but we
cannot find anywhere near the numbers of
men we expected to find. For instance. an
officer from Sanct Spritus who came back
TO Washington last week told us that that
town was filled with women and children
hut no men. They are not in the country
districts as far as we can find The Cuban
army IS estimated at 10000 men. but this
does not account for the thousands who are
not to be found. They are not with Gomez
ana IT IS yet to be learned where they have
disappeared to-
In conclusion. the secretary said. II
snail go to- Cuba and Porto Rico in March
If everything is all right then. | never had
any lded OF going until Congress adjourned
! have never been in Cuba, and thought
dc so. before the bad sea- son began I ex-
pect TO inspect all the posts there"