The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1899-10-23
Otis CAMPAIGN In LUZON
The Fall Movement Against the
Rebels Soon to Begin.
Bad weather the Cause of Delay.
Troops Must Wait for the Ground
to Dry-An Explanation of the
Skirmishes Against AguinaldO's
Army-Nhy Towns Are Abandoned.

The pr5p 5parations of the War Department
for the opening of the campaign in the
Philippines have been about completed, and
as soon as the weather permits a general
advance of the American forces will be or
dered. The rainy season is practically over,
it was said al the War Department, but
the country is saturated, and in many
places inundated. The War Department Off
cials say that several weeks at least will
be required TO dry the ground sufficiently 10
permit the movement of troops and sup
plies.
The date for the opening of the campaign
is variously placed by the War Department
officials at from three to six weeks, but
even the best informed among them do not
pretend 10 say that this prediction is ab-
solutsly reliable.
Secretary Root, in an interview today, en-
dorsed the policy being pursued by Gen
eral Otis and gave an explanation of some
OF the recent operations in the Philip
pines.
He said that owing to extreme dampness
OF the country il has been necessary TO pro-
vide barracks for the soldiers. Around the
barracks the American lines have been es-
tablished. The rebels persist in occupying
positions in the immediate vicinity OF the
camps. and by their repeated acts of hos
tility. so harass the soldiers that General
Otis has had no other alternative than to
send out frequent expeditions TO drive the
enemy back.
In doing this work, the Secretary stated,
the American forces are compelled TO storm
The towns in which the rebels have forti-
field themselves but as these places con-
the cOldiprS
il is necessary TO eyacuate them and return,
10 the barracks in and around Manila. He
further said that General Otis is opposed TO
the policy OF taking a town and then evacu-
ating il. but he is forced to adopt this
method in order to put a stop TO the an
noyance afforded by the presence OF the
rebels in the vicinity of the American lines.
Secretary Root is satisfied that the hos
pital facilities are ample for the care OF
the sick and wounded, who are now inca
pacitated, or who may be during the coming
campaign. When asked concerning Colo
mel Woodhull's reQuisition. sent October 10,
requesting twenty medical officers and thir-
" additional female nurses. he stated that
more than the number asked for had been
ordered to Manila Immediately on receipt OF
the request. There are now thirteen COM
missiOned medical officers and forty acting
assistant surgeons either on their way to
the Philippines or under orders TO 90 there
Thirty additional female nurses will leave
New York November l.
The question of hospital accommodation
in anticipation Of the needs of the enlarged
army in the islands has been settled by
the adoption of General Otis recommenda-
tion that additional hospitals be construct
ed of bamboo and hospital tents erected.
A report received from Colonel WoO2-
hull describes the hospital accommoda-
lions existing at Manila at this time The
first reserve hospital has been increased
by the use of tents so as to accommodate ID
1900 beds. The second reserve hospital il
located in a seminary building and has ac-
commodation for $50 beds. with supple
mentary wards in a Spanish barracks for
provision for 250 cases and a possible 800
At COrregidor Island, thirty miles from
Manila, there is a conwalescent hospital
which under favorable conditions will ac-
Commodate twenty-five patients. In addi-
tion 10 these hospitals the hospital ships
Missouri and Relief, now on the way 10
Manila. are TO be held there and converted
into floating hospitals, having an aggre-
gate capacity for 600 cases. They will be
in charge Of a trained corps OF medical
officers and nurses.
The preparations made by the War De-
Eartment contemplate provision for 5000
sick and convalescent these being consid-
cred ample to meet all requirements after
the opening Of the campaign. Medical sup
pies by the tons have been shipped on the
transports, and though 100 tons on the
Morgan proved a complete loss, the order
was Immediately duplicated in San Fran
cisco, and the supplies are now on the
LAY to the Philippines.
For the troops in the field an increased