The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-06-27

| Washington, June 26.-General Otis, in
reply to cable to the war department,
asking for information regarding the
situation and conditions in the Philip
pines, today cabled a long reply as fol-
lows:
! Manila. June 26-Adjutant General,
/ Washington: Rainy season. Little in
land campaigning in Luzon. We oc-
cupy large portion Tagalog country,
/ lines stretching from linus south TO
San Fernando north, nearly sixty miles,
and TO eastward into Laguna province
lnsurgent armies have suffered great
losses and are scattered: only large
force held together. about 1000, in Tar
lac province and northern Pampanga
Their scattered forces in bands of 30 to
| 500 in other portions of Luzon. in Ca
vite and BatangaS provinces, could as
semble possibly 1900, though demoral-
lied from recent defeat.
The mass of people serrorized by
insurgent soldiers desire peace and
American protection They no longer
flee on approach of our troops, unless
forced by insurgents. but gladly well
come them No recent burning of
towns; population within our lines be-
coming dense, taking UP land cultiva-
tion extensively. They have been kept
out of Manila as much as possible as
city's population is becoming too great
TO be cared for.
Friendly to United States.
Natives southeast of Luzon are
combining to drive out insurgents:
only hope of insuTgent leaders is in
United States aid. They proclaim that
the overthrow of the present admin
iStration is TO be followed by their in
6Qn6n6anCa and 1,x- h.
United States This is the influence
which enables them to hold out; much
contention prevails among them, and
no civil government remains; trade
with ports not in our possession, former
source of insurgent revenue. now inter-
dicted; not certain of wisdom of this
policy, as people in those parts are
without supply of food. and merchants
are suffering losses. L mediate restor-
ing trade privileges. although inSur-
gents may reap benefits
Courts are in successful operation
under the direction of able Filipinos
Affairs in other islands comparatively
quiet, awaiting results in Luzon. Anx-
1ouS for trade and repeated calls for
American troops received. Am giving
attention to Jolo and Palawan islands
American troops have worked to the
limit of endurance. Volunteer organ
izationS have been called in and re-
placed by regulars. who now occupy
salient positions. Nebraska, Pennsyl-
vania and Utah troops now taking
transports. and Sixth infantry sent to
Negros to relieve California. These
troops are in good physical condition;
sickness among troops has increased
lately. due mostly to arduous service
and climatic influences. Nothing alarm
ing.
The Sick Soldiers.
"Of the 10 per cent of the command
reported sick, nearly in general hos
pital, of whom per cent have typhoid
and II malarial fevers; IL per cent have
intestinal trouble; remaining 50 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 regL-
lar regiments lately received are mad
equately officered. OTIS"
The inadequacy of the number of Of
ficers mentioned in the last part of the
above cablegram has been remedied by
the sailing of the transports Zealandia
and Sheridan, carrying 2 number OF
officers for regiments in the Philip
pines.
Adjutant General Corbin says that
all officers belonging to regiments in
the Philippines who are absent on ac-
count of a surgeons certificate are
under orders to join their regiments at
once. Forty-four officers have sailed
on the recent transports going from
Manila.
Secretary Alger said today that no
action will be taken for the enlarge
ment of the army or sending troops to
reinforce General Otis until the return
of President Mckinley. He also said
General Wheeler would receive no as
signment until that time.