The Mena star., 1899-06-29
THE PHILIPPINE SITUATION.
Gen. Otis Cables to the War De- partment About the Condition
 Existing in the Islands.
TIE TWENTIETH KANSAS REGIMENT.
Only 45O Men Now on the Firing Line The Other Members Relieved from Duty on Account of Sickness, but Few of Them Are Believed to Re Danger ously Sick.


 Washington, June 27.-Gen. Otis, in reply to cable from the war depart ment asking for information regarding the situation and condition in the Philippines, to-day cabled long re- ply as follows:
 Manila, June 26.-Adjutant General Wash ington Rainy season. Little inland cam paigning possible in Luzon. We occupy large portion Of Tagalog country, lines stretching from linus south to San Fernando north, nearly 60 miles and 10 eastward into Laguna province. Insurgent armies have suffered great losses and are scattered; only large force held together, about 4,0l0. in Tarlac province and northern Pampanga. Their scattered forces in bands of 90 to 500 in other portions of Luzon; in Cavite and Matanzas provinces they could assemble possibly 2,000, though demoralized from recent defeat; the mass of people terrorized by insurgent soldiers, desire peace and American protection; they no longer fee on approach of our troops unless forced by insurgents but gladly welcome them; no recent burning of towns; population within our lines becoming dense, taking up land culti- vation extensively; kept out of Manila as much as possible, as city population Is becoming too great to be cared for. Ma tives southeast of Luzon combining to drive out insureents; only hope of insurgent leaders is United States aid They proclaim near the overthrow of the present administration, to be followed by their independence and recogni- tion by the United States This Is the infiu- erce which enables them to hold out Much contention prevails among them and no civil government remains trade with posts, not in our possession the former source of insurgent revenue, now interdicted; not certain of wis dom of this policy, as people in those parts are without supply of food and merchants are suf- fering losses; mediate restoring trade privi- al Courts here in successful operation under di- rection of able Filipinos.
 Affairs in other islands comparatively quiet; awaiting results in Luzon. All anxious for trade and repeated calls for American troops received Am giving attention to Jolo archi- Ieiago and faiawan islands. Our troops have worked to the limit of endurance Volunteer organizations have been called in; replaced by regulars, who now occupy salient positions. Nebraska, Pennsylvania and Utah now taking transports and Sixth infantry sent to Negros to relieve California. These troops are in good physical conditon sickness among troops has increased lately due mostly to arduous service and climatic influences. Nothing alarming. or the 12 per cent. reported sick nearly six are in the general hospital, of whom i three per cent. have typhoid and i7 malarial fever; 2 per cent. have intestinal trouble; re- maining a5 per cent. have various ailments Ii of which is due to wound injuries. Many officers and men who served in Cuba break under recur- renee of Cuban fever and regular regiments lately received are inadequatcly oficered.-Otis.
 The inadequacy of the number of off cers mentioned in last part of above cablegram has been remedied by the sailing of the transports Zealandia and Sheridan, carrying a number of officers for the regiments in the Philippines. Adit. Gen. Corbin says that all the off l>alx, ippines, who are not absent an ac- count of surgeons certificate, are un- der orders to join their regiments at once. Fortv-four officers have sailed on the recent transports going from Manila. Secretary Alger said to-day that no action will be taken for the en- largement of the army or sending troops to reinforce Gen. Otis until the return of President Mckinley. He also said that Gen. Wheeler would re- ceive no assignment until that time.
 The Twentieth Kansas Regiment.
 Manila, via Hong Kong. June 27.-- Capt. Clark, Capt. Watson. Lieut.. Ball and 200 sick or wounded of the Twen- tieth Kansas regiment have been sent home. Only 450 men are still doing duty. These are on the firing line. The other members are relieved from duty on account of sickness. The Kansas regiments normal strength is about 1,200 men. There have been mo deaths reported among members of the Twentieth Kansas for week or more. Gen. Otis list of dead received at the war department to-day con- tains the names of no Kansas soldier, so it is safe to say that of the $50 unfit for duty few are dangerously sick.