Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1899-07-21


the Philippine commission, was read. It
showed fairly satisfactory state Of af-
fairs, one of the cabinet officers said,
but it did not say that peace negotia-
tons with Aguinaldo were in prog
ress.
Secretary Hay also had cable from
Ambassador Choate relative to the
boundary line negotiations, but 1t was
not encouraging.
To BE Dropped.
It was ascertained that the de-
cision was reached to allow the 'round
robin" matter to drop. At an informal
conference held at the white house
Monday night, the subject was thor
oughly discussed and such policy
agreed upon. This it is stated, was con-
frmed at Mondays cabinet meeting.
Officially, the matter will beignored, and
Gen. Otis will be allowed to treat it as
he may deem best.
Hopeful View of situation.
Washington, July 19.-The following
statement was given out Tuesday after
noon at the state department.:
1.-THE state department Monday received
from the Philippine commission an i'm
portant dispatch conveying these facts:
by the cooperation of the military and
the commission, municipal governments
have been established in seven important
towns in the provinces of Manila and Ca
vite. These are working admirably, and
one good effect of them is that consider
able numbers of the insurgents are con-
stantly deserving and coming in, some of
them with arms. The system will soon
v,n nxfn 1n1 To nfh tnu xryhi nh ra
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 the 26th of June. except
that number of ports in the southern part
of Luzon, in Leyte and other islands to the
south have since been opened to trade.
Dispatches from DR.. Schurman on his re-
turn from his trip through the southern
part of the archipelago were of the same
purport. A disposition to accept Amer
lean sovereignty and to welcome our troops
was everywhere manifested.
Report of Gen. Otis.
'The report of Gen. Otis of the 26th of
June. referred to by Commissioner DENLY
in the above dispatch, stated that as a
island campaigning was now possible in
Luzon. We occupy, said Gen. Otis, large
portion of the Tagalog country. The lines
stretch from linus on the south to San
Fernando on the north, nearly GO miles,
and eastward into the Laguna province.
The insurgent armies have suffered great
losses 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 so and 500 in other portions of Luzon, in
Cavite and Batangas provinces, they could
possibly assemble as many as 1000. They
are demoralized from recent defeat.
Desire Peace.
1.-THE most of the people are terrorized
by the insurgent soldiers but desire peace
and American protection. They no longer
flee from our troops unless forced by in
surgents, but gladly welcome them. There
has been no recent burning of towns. The
population within our lines has become
dense, taking up land cultivation extern
sively. 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 possession,
the former source of insurgent revenues,
is now interdicted. Gen. Otis doubted the
wisdom of this policy, as people in those
ports are without supplies or food and the
merchants suffering losses. He meditated
at that time the restoration of trade privi-
leges. although the insurgents might reap
some benefit from it. plan which has
since been partially carried into effect.
The courts are in successful operation
under the direction of able Filipinos. AZ
fairs In the other islands are compare
lively quiet awaiting results in LuZon. All
were anxious for trade and repeated calls
for American troops received. He is giving
his attention to the Jolo archipelago and
the Palawan islands. Gen. Otis speaks of
the general desire of the volunteers to re-
enlist. He has provided for the enlistment
of the two regiments which have been
authorized and has asked permission to
organize a third regiment
Dispatch from Otis.
Washington, July 19.-The following
cablegram has been received from Gen.
Otis:
-, Manila. July 1s.-Adjutant General.
Washington: Continued heavy rain, cy-
clonic storms. impede business in harbor;
Colorados sailed transport Warren yester-
day; Privates Horne and Wilder, company
G, left sick. In addition 100 discharged
men various organizations took passage
Californians on Sherman arrived from Ne
gros; vessel must be coaled; await sub
sidence of typhoon now prevailing
OTIS"
Fighting the TnsaIs.
Manila, July 19.-The natives of the
provinces of Albay, South Camarines
and North Camarines, are endeavoring
to throw off the domination of the
Tagals. 1t is reported that there has
been fighting between the people of the
provinces named and small bands of
Tagals who were quartered upon thefn,
running the local governments, and
that the people in question are willing
to declare allegiance to the United
States when troops are sent to protect
them.
The Enlistments.
Washington, July 19-Col. Ward,
chief of the recruiting division of the
adjntant generals office, has prepared
q statement showing that since recruit
ing began, July 10, for the Philippine
volunteer service the total enlistment
to date has been 2,26s men, of whom 5o4
were recruited Monday. The statement
dosssne include -ssax of Tuesdays re-