Connecticut western news., 1899-07-20
INSURGENTSDESERTING
Encouraging Dispatches From
 Commission.
CONFIRM GENERAL OTIS REPORT.

Native Courts a succes--schurmnn
 Finds Southern Islands Ready to
 Welcome American RuIe-CycIones
 In Luxon.
 Washington, July 19.-The following statement has been given out at the state departments: .....
 ''The state department has received from the Philippine commission an im- portant dispatch conveying these facts:
 By the cooperation of the military and the commission, municipal govern ments have been established in seven inn portant towns in the provinces of Manila and Cavite. These are working admir- ably, and one good effect of them is that considerable numbers of the insurgents are constantly deserting and coming in, some of them with arms. The system will soon be extended to other towns which are asking for it. Continued sue cess in this direction will mean the begin ming of the end. The commissioners state that the general situation is as described in the message of General Otis of the 26th of June, except that a number of ports in the southern part of Luzon, in Leyte and other islands to the south have since 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 accept Ameri- can sovereignty and to welcome our troops was everywhere manifested. The report of General Otis of the 26th of June, referred to by Commissioner Den by in the above dispatch. stated that as consequence of the rainy season little inland campaigning was now possible in Luzon. We occupy said General Otis, a large portion of the Tagalog country. The lines stretch from linus on the south to San Fernando on the north, nearly GO miles, and eastward into the Laguna province.
 The insurgent armies have suffered great lossess and are scattered. The only large force which holds together is about 4,000 in Tarlac province and northern Pampanga. There are scattered forces in bands of 90 and 500 in other portions of Luzon. In Cavite and Batangas prov inces they could possibly assemble as many as 2,000.
 Rebels Badly Demora1ined.
 "'They a.e demoralized from recent defeat. The most of the people are ter rorized by the insurgent soldiers, but de- sire peace and American protection. They no longer flee from our troops, unless forced by insurgents, but gladly welcome them. There has been no recent burning of towns. The population within our lines has become dense, taking up land cultivation extensively. 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 CTS Is aid from the United States. This is the influence which enables them to hold Out. Much contention prevails among them, and no civil government re- mains. The trade with ports not In our possession-the former source of insur- gent revenues-is now interdicted.'
 General Otis doubted the wisdom of this policy, as people in those ports are without supplies or food, and the mer- chants 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 Filipinos.
 Affairs in the other islands are com 3aratively quiet, awaiting results in Lu- Ion. All are anxious for trade and re- peated calls for American troops receiv- sd. General Otis is giving his attention 10 the Jolo archipelago and the Palawan islands.
 General Otis speaks of the general de- sire of the volunteers to re-enlist. He has provided for the enlistment of the two regiments which have been author taed and has asked permission to organize third regiment"
 The following cablegram was last night received from General Otis:
 Continued heavy rain and cyclonic storms impede business in the harbor. Colorados sailed on transport Warren yesterday. Privates Horne and Wilder of Company c were left, sick. In ad- dition 130 discharged men of various or ganizations took passage. Californians on Sherman arrived from Negros; vessel must be coaled. 1 await subsistence of typhoon now prevailing"