Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-07-19
OFFICIALLY STATED
That Conditions in the Phi H.
ippines Are Satisfactory
Insurgents Daily Deserving and Force
is Demoralized and Scattered.
Municipal Governments Working Admirably
Volunteers Are Re- enlisting.

Washington, July 1S.-Tne following
statement was given out. this after
noon, at the state department.:
The state department, yesterday, re
ceivcd 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
importaH towns in the province Of
Manila and Cavite. These are working
admirably and one good effect Of them
is that considerable numbers OF the in
surgentS are constantly deserving and
coming in, some Of them with arms
The system will soon be extended to
other towns which are asking for it.
Continued success in this direction will
mean the beginning Of the end. The
commissioners state that the general
situation is as described in the mes
sage Of Gen. Otis Of the 26th Of June,
except that "A number Of ports i'll the
southern part of Luzon, Ylcte and
other islands 10 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 % accept American SOW
creignty and to welcome our troops
was everywhere manifested.
The report of Gen. Otis Of the 26th
of June, referred To by Commissioner
DENLY in the above dispatch stated that
as a consequence Of the rainy season
little island campaigning was possible
in Luzon. we occupy. said Gen Otis
a large portion Of the Tagalog country.
The lines stretch from linus on the
south to san Fernando on the north
nearly 50 miles, and eastward into the
Laguna province. The insurgl mt
armies have suffered great loses 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 50 and 500 in other portions Of
Luzon and in Cavite and Batanga pro-
Vinces they could possibly assemble as
many as 2o00. They are demoralized
from recent defeat
The most Of the people are terrori-
zed by the insurgent soldiers but de-
sire peace and American protection
/ iit'N iip ii'iiStI llt': from our troops TN
loss forced by insurgents. but gladly
welcomed them. There has been no re-
cent burning of towns. The population
within our lines has become dense. ex-
tensivcly taking up land cultivation.
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 leaders is in
aid from the United States. This is the
influence which enables them to hold
out. Much contention prevails among
them and no civil government remains.
The trade with ports not in our pos
session. the former source OF insurgent
revenues is now interrupted. Gen. Otis
doubts the wisdom Of this policy as
people in these ports are without sup
plies or food and the merchants are
suffering losses He meditated at that
time the restoration of trade privileges
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
paratiVely quiet. awaiting results in
LuZOn. All were anxious for trade and
repeated calls for American troops
We're seceived. Gen. Otis is giving his
attention to the jolo archipelago and
the Palbwan islands
Gen 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
lied and has asked permission to Or
ganize a third regiment