The times., 1899-06-14
The Siege of Manila.

Notwithstanding the severest kind o.
censorship, of the press at Manila, the
meagre news which reaches US from that
point indicates a most acute and serious
situation. What, then, must be the real
one?
Enough has leaked out to demonstrate
that the occupation and fertilization OF
Paranaque by the rebels was part OF their
plan to surround and besiege the city, and
that this place. only three miles from
General Otis headquarters. was selected
as a strong and excellent position to form
the extreme left OF their first line Of in
vestment The attack by our troops was,
strictly speaking. sortie of the Manila
garrison. and it will be noted with anxiety
as well as interest that all the aggressive
operations of the American forces for some
time back have partaken of that character.
Adjutant General Corbin declares that
Otis has had sent him every man he ever
asked for. AS we have remarked before,
that may be literally true, but, if
30. it is no doubt equally true that he ha.
been ordered not to ask for more than a
given number of troops. Whether he has
all the force he has asked for or not, is
neither here nor there. Corbin says he has
now $4,000 men at his command. We co
not for moment believe that his enec-
tive will come within eight or ten thou
sand Of that figure. In any event, il is
evident that Otis has not anything like the
strength demanded by his present situa-
tion. If he had, why should he draw in his
lines until they include nothing but the
city and suburbs of Manila? And why
should it have to be acknowledged that all
his forces are compelled to remain cen
stantly on the lines, without the most oc-
casional relief. because every man is re-
ouired to successfully defend the little area
between the city and the pumping station
five miles west of it. as well as the en-
works were to fall into the hands of the
rebels, and that does not seem to be an
impossibility. it is easy to understand TO
what straits the garrison and inhabitants
OF Manila would be reduced.
If the Administration were showing any
sense Of its duty in the premises, or the
least disposition to acknowledge and meet
the emergency, 1t would not occur TO US
10 make these comments. But hesitancy
and ineffciency have been allowed TO do
their murderous work long enough, and it
IS time for straightforward speech The
campaign which opened in February has
proven a rank failure. The rebels, al
though mercilessly beaten every time they
have been encountered. hold more terrific
ry, and are in greater numbers with better
organization than was the case at the be-
ginning of hostilites. They are swarming
around Manila with the intention OF
besieging It, They undoubtedly argue that
every sortie made by its defenders will
weaken the latter. and that, ultimately.
the American ranks will be so thinned by
constant duty in the dealing
trenches. where the soldiers are scorched
and steamed by day, and showered with
rebel bullets by night that the place may
be taken by assault. What sane man will
dare say. in view of these circumstances.
that Otis has all the army he needs for the
suppression of the mutiny and the pacih-
cation OF the country?
President Mckinley knows he has not,
and would promptly call out the provision
al army. but for the fear that volunteers
would not respond while Alger is in the
Cabinet. That fear is unquestionably well
founded; but what of it? The lives of
our officers and soldiers. OF American wom-
en- and children, and of the inmates OF our
crowded hospitals in Manila are at stake.
Besieged now. If help is not sent them.
they may one day be exposed to the hor-
ror Of an uprising by Denby's "friendlies''
in the city, while their fellows rush its
worn out and declmated defenders on
the lines. Are all such considerations sub
ordinate to an Administration necessity TO