The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-10-20
THE PHILIPPINES
SECRETART ROOT EXPLAINS THE Oh
JRCT OF RECENT OPERATIONS

| Tho Campaign To 30 Opened in Earnest
| as Soon as the Floods Subside and tho
| Earth is Dry-Ample Provision Made
| for tho Care of tho Sick and Wounded.
| WAsHINGToN, Oct. 10 Preparations for the
| opening OF the campaign In the Philippines
have been nearly completed. but no definite
| date for the begnning'of general movem snt
| has been decided upon. owing to the weather
| conditions in the islands. Secretary Root said
| to-day tina: it is impossible to tell when the
| country will have sufficiently recovered from
the rains to admit ofthe beginning OF the cam
| paiEn. All arrangements have been made for
the advance. and Gen. Otis is only waiting for
! the floods to subsde and the earth to dry
before inauRuratinG the fall operations.
Secretary Root explained to- day for the first
| time the reason for the recent activity against
the Filipinos in Luzon He endorsed Gen
| Otiss policy regarding these operations. and
said that Gen Otis is thoroughly opposed to q
| policy OF capturing and giving up towns. He
| has firmly opposed the sending Of troops into
battle to take places which it was not intended
they should hold. There are peculiar condi-
tions in the Philippines. Our troops cannot
liye In water up to their waists. The whole
country is flooded. and during the rainy sea-
son our soldiers must be quartered in some
kind OF barracks. We are holding certain
lines. and to do 30 1t is necessary that we
occupy towns where proper quarters can be
provided. While occupying these places the
insurgents were annoying. and it became nsces-
| sary to chastise them. They were driven
some distance beyond our lines. and in pursu-
ing them our troops entered other places.
They could not remain in these towns. owing
TO the absence OF proper quarters and having
accomplished their purposes OF driving the
enemy beyond the established military limos
returned to their former stations. That is why
towns taken by Americans have not always
been occupied"
Secretary Root said that recently some OF the
operations had also n significance as relating
to the movement now being conducted by
Gen. Lawton. He said that Gen. Otis did not
deem it wise to operate very far north without
having a base OF supplies. and that San Isidro
would probably be held AZ such base. As to
the preparations for supplying the American
army when the campaign opens. Secretary
Root said that nothing was being left undone
to provide everything for the proper conduct
OF the campaign month ago he made
special inquiry into the facilities OF the medi-
cal department at Manila. and is fully satisfied
that every provision is being made for the
proper care OF the sick and wounded.
Asked about Col. Woodhul's request for ad-
ditional surgeons and female nurses. he re-
piled: When his request was received at the
department, more than the number he asked
for had already been ordered and were on the
way to Manila"
1t was learned that Col. Woodruff cabled
Oct. 10 n requsition for twenty medical on
GERS and thirty additional female nurses. He
said: Can use twice as many" Gen. Stern
berg replied that thirteen comm ssioned medl-
cal officers and forty acting assistant surgeons
were already on the way to the Philippines or
under order. This is in addition to the regi-
mental surgeons going with the volunteer
reRiments. Thirty female nurses asked for
were Immediately ordered and will leave New
York, beginning Nov, l.
The question of hospital accom- m odation in
anticipation OF the needs OF the enlarged army
in he lslands has been settled by the adoption
Of Gen, Otiss recon m endation that additional
hospitals DO constructed OF BAN boo and hos
pitAl tents erected. A report lust received
from Col, Woodruff describes the hospital ac-
comm odatiOns existing al Manila at this time
the tirst reserve hospital has been increased
by the use OF tentn 80 ms to accom- m odate | 800
beds The second reserve hospital is located
In aseminary building and has accom- mediation
Tor 300 beds. with supplementary wards In a
spanish barracks for provision for $50 cases
and possible 800 Al Corrigdor Island. thirty
miles from Manila there is a conysescsnt hos
pital. which under favorable conditions viii sc-
sommodate Twenty-Five patients. In addition