The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-06-30

the direction of self-government. The
supreme court is sitting daily and the
American and Philippine judges are
holding consultations through an in
terpreter. A unanimous vote is required
for a decision. Major General Otis has
persuaded Major Young, of the Utah
battery, to remain on the court for a
time after the battery departs. Three
of the native justices are absent. Am
brose Rianzares, justice Of the crimi-
nal branch Of the court, happened to
be at Tarlac, then the seat of the in
surgent government, when the APP
pointments were announced, and he
was arrested and sentenced to Danish
ment for life. His present whereabouts
are not known Pedro Llorente, asso-
ciate justice Of the supreme court, is
in Cebu, where he has great influence,
working to pOpulariZe American rule,
with good results. The native judges
will now begin to hold criminal courts,
having Jurisdiction over all offences
except those committed by soldiers or
against military authority.
The United States transport Sher-
man has sailed for the island of Ne
gros, with the Sixth infantry which
relieves the California regiment.
The Montana and Kansas volunteers
are returning from a Fernando and
the Twelfth and Ninth regulars will
replace them.
Senior Luis Marinas, the first Spanish
consul general at the Philippine is
lands, has arrived here from Singapore,
on board the Isla de LuZOn. Delega-
lions from Spanish organizations OF
tugs met the steamer and welcomed
the consul.
The Bantayan of The
NOticierO writes that the gunbOat Al
bany appeared off Bantayan June 8th
and her commander told the authori-
ties of the town hat unless they de-
clared allegiance to the United States
and raised the American flag after fiji
teen days, he would lombard the town.
The Albany then sailed, announcing
she would return. When the dispatch
was forwarded the town was greatly
panic stricken and it was thought the
authorities would probably comply
with the demand of the commander
of the gunbOat.
OTIS REPORT OF THE SITUATION.
Washington, June 26.-General Otis,
in reply to a cable from the war de-
partment, asking for information re-
garding the situation and conditions in
che Philippines, today cabled a long
reply as follows:
Manila, June 26.
''Adjutant General, Washington:
Rainy season. Little inland cam
paigning possible in Luzon. We occu-
Ply large portion of Taggalo country,
lines stretching from linus south to
San Fernando north, nearly sixty miles
and to eastward into La Guna prov
ince. Insurgent armies have suffered
great losses and are scattered; only
large force held together, about At
in Tarlac province and northern Pam
panga. Their scattered forces in bands
of so to 500 in other portions of Luzon;
in Cavite and Batangas provinces
could assemble possibly 1000, though
demOralized from recent defeat; mass
OF people, terrorized by insurgent SOL
diers, desire peace and American pro-
lection; no longer flee on approach or
our troops unless forced by insurgents,
but gladly welcome them; no recent
burning of towns; population within
our lines becoming dense, taking up
land cultivation extensively; kept out
Manila much as possible, as city pop
ulation is becoming too great to be
cared for. Natives in southeast Lu-
zon combining to drive out insurgents;
only hope of insurgent leaders is
United States aid They proclaim near
overthrow of present administration,
TO be followed by their independence
and recognition by United states. rms
is the influence which enables them TO
hold out; much contention prevails
among them and no civil government
remains; trade with ports not in our
poSseSSiOnS-fOrmer source or 1nSur-
gent revenue-now interdicted; not
certain of wisdom of this policy, as
people in those ports are without sup
DIV of food and merchants suffering
losses; mediate restoring trade prlvl-
liges, although insurgents reap bene-
fits. Courts here in successful opera
ton under direction of able Philippi-
a ;r1 ir nfhnr iS1on6C nm nc "a -
tively quiet. awaiting results in Lu-
zOn. All anxious for trade and repeat
ed calls for American troops received.
Am giving attention to Jolo archipela-
go and alawan Islands. Our troops
have worked to limit of endurance.
Volunteer organizations have been
called in; replaced by regulars, who
now occupy salient positions. Nebras-
ka, Pennsylvania and Utah troops now
taking transports, and Sixth infantry
sent to Negros to relieve Callfornia.
These troops in good physical condl-
ton; sickness anon troops has IN
creased latedy, due mostly to arduous
service and climatic influence, nothing
alarming. OF the II per cent. of the
~reported sick, nearly b per
cent. in general hospital OF wno1n :
per cent. have typhoid and IL malarlal
fevers; 25 per cent. have intestinal
trouble; remaining So per cent. have
various ailments, IA of which due to
wound injuries. Many officers and
men who served in Cuba break under
recurrence of Cuban fever, and regular
regiments lately received are made
quately Differed. OTlS
The i~nadequacy of the number OF Of
ficers mentioned in the last part OF the
above cablegram has been remedled py
the sailing of the transports Zealandla
and Sheridan, carrying a number OF
officers for regiments in the Philip
pines. =,
Adjutant General Corbin says that all
officers belonging to regiments in the
Philippines who are not absent on &C
count of a. surgeons certificate are un-
der orders to join their regiment at
once. Forty-four officers have sailed
on the recent transports going from Ma
Mia.
Secretary Alger said today that no
action will be taken for the enlarge