River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1899-06-29
TELLS OF HIS WORK.
the Situation In the Phil
ippines.

Washington, June 27.--Gen. Otis in
reply 10 cable from the war depart
ment asking for information regarding
the situation and conditions in the
Philippines, Monday, cabled a reply
as follows:
Manila, June 26.-Adjutant General,
Washington: Rainy season. Little inland
campaigning possible IN Luzon. We oc-
cupy large portion Tagalog country. lines
stretching from linus south to San Fer
nando north. nearly 60 miles. and TO east
ward into Laguna province. Insurgent
armies have suffered great losses and are
scattered only large force held together
about 1000 in Tarlac province and north
ern Pampanga. Their scattered forces in
bands OF so to 500 in other portions of
Luzoni In Cavite and Batangas provinces
could assemble possibly 1900, though de-
moralized from recent defeat: mass of peo-
Pile. terrorized by insurgent soldiers, desire
peace and American protection; no longer
iee on approach of 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 popula-
ton becoming too great to be cared for.
Natives southeast Luzon combining to
drive out insurgents; only hope insurgent
leaders is United States aid.
They proclaim near overthrow present
administration, to be followed by their In
dependence and recognition by United
States. This is the influence which enables
them hold out; much contention prevails
among them and no civil government re-
mains; trade with ports. not in our pos
session, former source insurgent revenue,
now interdicted: not certain of wisdom of
this policy, as people in those parts are
without supply of food and merchants suf-
fering losses; mediate restoring trade
privileges, although insurgents reap bene-
fits. Courts here In successful operation
under direction of able Filipinos.
Affairs in other islands comparatively
quiet, awaiting results In Luzon. All anx-
ious for trade and repeated calls for Amer
lean troops received Am giving attention
to Jolo archipelago and Palawan Islands.
Our troops have worked to limit of endur-
ance. Volunteer organizations have been
called in; replaced by regulars, who now
occupy salient positions. Nebraska, Penn
sylvania and Utah now taking transports
and Sixth infantry sent to Negros to re-
lieve California These troops in good
physical condition.
Sickness among troops has increased
lately, due mostly to arduous service and
climatic influences Nothing alarming
OF the II per cent. of the command re-
ported sick, nearly six In general hospital.
of whom three per cent. have typhoid and
II malarial fevers; rs per cent. have in
testinal 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 late
ly received are inadequately Differed.
Otis"
The inadequacy of the number of Off
GERS mentioned in the last part of the
above cablegram has been remedied by
the sailing of the transports Zealandia
and Sheridan, carrying number of Off
GERS for regiments in the Philippines.