The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-07-01
INTERVIEW WITH OTIS.
An Army of $4,000 Needed to Suppress
the Filipinos.


Chicago, June 30.-General Harrison
Gray Otis of Los Angeles. Cal, who
was with the 8th army corps at Ma
Mia when the instruction began, and
who saw nearly a years fighting
around that city, arrived in Chicago
last night, en- route for Washington. He
stopped at the Palmer house, and will
remain in the city until tonight be-
fore proceeding eastward. His visit to
Washington will mark his muster out
of the volunteer service. General Otis
discussed the situation in the Phil
ippines at considerable length, and
took the hopeful view that with the
additional troops to be furnished the
war would be terminated before the
next rainy season sets in.
With $4,000 troops all told-say go
900 for the fighting columns and 10000
for garrison duty" he said. Major
General Otis can suppress the revolt
before the next rainy season, restore
peace, establish order, protect all well
meaning natives of LuZon in their
rights of person and property and es-
tabllsh and maintain simple, econom-
zeal, just and effective government over
the islands"
do you believe the Filipinos are ca
pable of government, or will 1t be
necessary for the United States to
maintain standing army on the ISL
In their present state, / do not be-
lieve the Filipinos are capable of self
government. If the restraint and con-
troll of this government were with
drawn from them now l believe they
would be at each others throats in a
very short time, and make a farce of
government. The conclusion from
this premise, therefore, is that it will
be necessary for the United States to
maintain "a considerable force in the
islands for an indefinite period.
"Such course will, in my Judgment.
be unavoidable If we are to hold, pro-
tect and properly govern the possess
sions wrested from Spain as legiti-
mate prizes of war in an honorable
combat. This country owes much to
itself, and it owes the distinct obi
cation of providing a sound, adequate
and just government of the Philippine
group. Moreover, it owes something to
the world in this regard, for it would
be a shame and a reproach to an en-
lightened nation to conquer and pos
sess a half civilized land. then aban-
don it without adequate governmental
protection and internal security"
Has there ever been any question
as to the duty Of the government in
the Philippines"
II cannot see where the government
in the Philippines can be fairly ques-
can with a proper conception Of the
actual situation. 1t was not possible
to avoid hostilities after the capture
of Manila. The most careful honest
and persistent efforts to accomplish
that so desirable remedy has been
made by Major General Otis and all
his command, in obedience to the or
ders of the president of the United
States. Regarding the general sltua-
ton in the Philippines, let these prime
facts be borne in mind: First, with
even the small force now available in
Luzon, the enemy has been defeated in
every engagement. Second, no seri-
Gus mistakes have been made by Ma
jer General Otis, either military or civil
He has shown himself to be a com
mander with a strong grasp of the sit
uation. He has ability, experience,
SKILL integrity and a marvellous capac-
ity for work"