The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-07-19
COMMISSION HAS ITS SAY.
DOES NOT CONCUR IN THE CoRREs-
PONDENTs' VIEW,

choice May be Had as to Which to
Bclieve-CommissiO Say the
Situation Is Encouraging and as
Otis Described It-Insurgents Said
to BE Constantly Deserving and
Joining Americans. Many of Them
bringing Their Arms.
Washington. July 1S.-The following
statement was given out this afternoon
at the state departments:
The state department yesterday re-
ceived from the Philippine commission an
important dispatch conveying these facts:
BY the cooperation of the military
and the commission, municipal govern
ments have been established in seven i'm
portant towns in the provinces of Manila
and Cavite. These are working admirably
and one good effect of them Is that consid-
erable numbers of the insurgents are con-
stantly deserving and coming in, some of
them with arms. The system will soon
be extended to other towns which are ask
ing for it. Continued success in this d-
rection win mean the beginning Of the
end"
The commissioners state that the gem
eral situation is as described in the mes
sage of Gen. Ous of June 26, except that
number of ports in the southern part
of Luzon, In Leyte and other islands to
the south have since then been opened
to trade. Dispatches from DR.. Schurman
on his return from his trip through the
southern part of the archipelago were
of the same purport. A disposition to ac-
cept American sovereignty and to well
come our troops was everywhere mani
tested.
The report of Gen Otis of June 26, re-
ferred to by Commissioner DENLY in the
above dispatch, stated that, as a conse-
quence of the rainy season, little inland
campaigning was then possible in Luzon.
1--WE occupy said Gen. Otis, "a large
portion of the Tagalo country. The lines
stretch from linus on the south, TO San
Fernando on the north, nearly sixty miles,
and eastward into the Laguna province.
| The insurgent armies have suffered great
losses and are scattered. The only large
force which holds together is about 1000
in Tarlac province and Northern Pam
panga. There are scattered forces in
bands of fifty and 500 in other portions
of Luzon In Cavite and Batangas prov
inces they could possibly assemble as
many as 1000. They are demoralized from
recent defeat.
"The most of the people are terrorized
by the insurgent soldiers, and desire peace
and American protection. They no longer
| flee from our troops, unless forced by in
| surgents, but gladly welcome them There
has been no recent burning of towns. The
population within our lines has become
dense, taking up land cultivation extern
sively. They are kept out of Manila as
much as possible, as the city population
was becoming too great to be cared for
THE only hope of the insurgent lead
ers is in aid from the United States. This
is the influence which enables them to
hold out. Much contention prevails among
| them, ana no civil government remains
| The trade with ports not in our posses
sion, the former source of insurgent rev.
enues, is now interdicted."
Gen. Otis doubted the wisdom of this
policy, as people in those ports are with
out supplies or food, and the merchants
are suffering losses. He meditated at
that time the restoration of trade privi-
! leges, although the insurgents might reap
some benefit from it, a plan which has
since been partially carried into effect
The courts are in successful operation
under the direction Of able Fiipinos. Ar
fairs in the other islands are compara-
lively quiet and awaiting results in Lu-
zon. All are anxious for trade and re
peated calls for American troops are re-
ceived. He is giving his attention to the
Jolo archipelago and the Palawan Islands.
Gen. Otis" the commissioners saw.
speaks of the general desire of the vol
unteers to re-enlist. He has provided for
the enlistment of the two regiments which
have been authorized, and has asked per
mission to organize a third regiment"