Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1899-06-29
OTIS HEARD FROM,
DETAILS CONDITIONS IN THE PHIL
lPPlNE ISLANDS.

Sections Inhabited by TagaIs Now Prac-
tically Under American Control-Ne-
braska Volunteers on Shipboard, Ready
to Sail For Home.
WASHINGTON, June 27.-GeneralO Otis,
In reply to a cablegram from the war
department asking for information re-
garding the situation and condition in
the Philippines, cabled a long reply, as
follows:
MANILA, June 26. - Rainy season.
Little inland campaigning possible in
Luzon. We occupy large portion Taga-
log country, lines stretching from linus
south to San Fernando north, nearly
so miles, and to eastward into Laguna
province. 1nsurgent armies have SUI
fered great losses and are scattered; only
large force held together is about 1000
In Tarlac province and northern Pam
panga. Their scattered forces are in
bands Of so to 500 in other portions Of
Luzon; in Cavite and Batangas prov
inces could assemble possibly 1000,
though demoralized from recent defeat.
The mass of the people are terrorized by
msurgent soldiers, desire peace and
American protection and no longer flee
on the approach of our troops unless
forced to do so by the insurgents, but
gladly welcome them; no recent burn
ing OF towns. Population within our
lines becoming dense, taking up land
and cultivation extensively. They are
kept out of Manila as much as possib le
as the city population is becoming too
great to be cared for Natives south
east OF LuZon are combining to drive
out the insurgents
The only hope of insurgent leaders is
United States aid. They proclaim the
near overthrow of the present admins
tration, to be followed by their indie
pendence and recognition by the United
States. This is the influence which en-
ables them to hold out. Much conten-
tion prevails among then, and no civil
government remains. Trade with ports
not i'll our possession and former source
Of insurgent revenue now interdicted.
Am not certain of wisdom of this policy,
as the people in those ports are without
a supply Of food and merchants are suf-
fering losses. / mediate restoring
trade privileges, although insurgents
will reap the benefits. The courts here
are Ill successful operation under dir
cction Of able Filipinos
Other Islands Are Quiet.
Affairs in other islands are compara-
lively quiet, awaiting results in Luzon.
All are anxious for trade and repeated
calls for American troops received Am
giving attention to Jolo archipelago and
Palawin islands. Our troops have
worked to the limit of endurance. Vol
unteer organizations have been called
i'll and replaced by regulars, who now
occupy salient positions. Nebraska,
Pennsylvania and Utah troops now tax
ing transports and the Sixth infantry
has been sent to Negrcs to relieve the
Calfornians. These troops are in good
physical condition, sickness among
troops has increased lately, due mostly
to arduous service and climatic infu-
ences. Nothing alarming. OF the IL
per cent Of the command reported sick,
nearly per cent is in the general hos
pital, OF whom per cent have typhoid
and II malarial fevers; % per cent have
various ailments, IA of which is due to
wound injuries, Many officers and men
who served in Cuba become sick with
recurrence Of Cuban fever and regular
regiments lately received are made
Quately differed. nu,s
Take DR.. Miles Neryine for the Grin.