The National tribune., 1899-06-29
GEN. OTIs's TELEGRAM.

prints for many weeks will be read with as
much deep interest by thoughtful people as
Maj. Gen. Otis's long cablegram from Manila
last Monday, every sentence of which is preg
nant with meaning. Gen. Otis's reputation
in the army is that of a modest quiet earnest
man, devoted to his duty, and very careful In
what he says. His telegram reads:
MANILA, June 26, 1899.
ADJUTANT-GENE Washington:
Rainy season. Little inland campaign
ing is now possible in Luzon. We occupy
a large portion of the TagalOg country,
the lines stretching from the linus on the
60 miles, and to the eastward into Laguna
province.
The insurgent armies have suffered
great losses, and are scattered, the only
large force held together being about 4 200
IN Iarlac province and northern Pam
panga. Their scattered forces are in bands
of so to 500 in other portions of Luzon.
In Cavlte and Batangas provinces they
could assemble possibly 1000, though de-
morallZed from recent defeat
The mass of the people are terrorized by
insurgent soldiers. They desire peace and
American protection. They no longer
flee on the approach of our troops unless
forced by insurgents, but gladly welcome
them; no recent burning IF towns has
taken place. The population within our
lines is becoming dense, taking up land
cultivation extensively. 1t is kept out OF
Manila as much as possible, as the city
population is becoming too great to be
cared for
The natives of southeast Llzon are COM
biniDp IN drive ont the iuSlIrppptS
The only hope of the inSurgent leaders
is United States aid. They proclaim the
near overthrow of the present Administra-
ton, to be followed by their Independence
and recognition by the United States.
This is the influence which enables them
to hold out Much contention prevails
among them, and no civil government re-
mains Trade with parts not in our pos
session, a former source of inSurgent reve-
nue., is now interdicted. Am not certain OF
the wisdom of this policy, as the people
in those parts are without a supply of food,
and merchants are suffering losses. Medi-
tate restoring the trade privileges, although
the insurgents will reap the benefits.
The courts here are in successful opera
ton under the direction of able Filipinos.
The affairs of the other islands are COM
paratiyely quiet, awaiting results in Luzon.
All are anxious for trade, and repeated calls
for American troops are received / am
=
and Palawan Islands.
Our troops have worked to the limit of
endurance. The volunteer organizations
have been called in; are being replaced by
Regulars, who now occupy the salient posi-
tons. The lNebraskan, Pennsylvania and
Utah troops are taking transports, and the
9th Inf. has been sent to Negros to relieve
the California.
These troops are in good physical con-
dition. The sickness among troops has in
creased lately, due mostly to their arduor1S
service and the climatic influences. There
is nothing alarming. OF the II per cent. Of
the command reported sick, nearly six are
in the general hospital, of whom three per
cent have typhoid and II malarial fevers;
p per cent. have intestinal trouble; the re-
naming j5 per cent. have various ailments,
IA of which are due to wound injuries.
Many officers and men who served in Cuba
break under the recurrence of Cuban fever;
and the Regular regiments lately received
are inadequately differed. OTIS.
In view of Gen Otis's character this must
be accepted as true picture OF the situation,
and it will bring great satisfaction to all pa
triotic men. While it shows that the rainy
season will prevent the prosecution of the
campaign, yet it would seem that the punish
ment of the rebels and the wreck of their
organizations have gone SO far that the en-
forced inactivity of the season may complete
their ruin. There is every reason to hope for
this Gen. Otis seems to have the situation
well in hand, though he has but 10000 men
to guard 60 miles of lines, has to keep every
man on duty, and has worked his forces
almost to the point of exhaustion. Still, he
does not call for more troops, which is taken
as very favorable sign. But people who
know him well are not altogether comforted
by this. They say that he is naturally very
patient, uncomplaining man, who will, with
out word, take the means that are furnished
him, and do the very best he can with them
That the mere statement he makes of the
length of his lines, and the hard work that he
has had to impose upon his men are forcible
reasons why he should at once be given double
or treble his present strength. 1t certainly
looks as if they are right. The troops that
are with him have done enough, and should
be allowed TO have season of restful garrison
duty, while new men take up the work OF
pursuing the rebels to their Businesses, and
destroying every vestige of resistance
His simple statement shows how unex-
pectcdly baleful has been the work of the
agitators in this country. Aguinaldo and
his crowd have just enough sense to under
stand what Hoar, Atkinson, the New York
Erening Post, ct al, say, without comprc
hending the minor importance of such utter
ances in a Government such as ours Aguin
aldo would only allow such rebellious speech
because he was too weak to prevent it, and hi
naturally reasons that that is the case in this
country. His defective knowledge of civilized
Governments prevents him from understand
ing anything else. Therefore he is in daily
expectation OF Hoar and Atkinson being able
TO overthrow the Administration, and reverse
its policy, and he is encouraged TO persever,
until that is accomplished.
Not the least gratifying part of Gen. Otis's
cablegram is his statement as to the way on
troops have endured the climate. 1t is simply
astonishing that with unacclimated mcr
suddenly transported to tropical country
with all the unfayorable sanitary condition,
of dense, half-civilized population pollutinl
the ground and water, and with all the ex
hauStlng work OF the troops for the last fiy,