New-York tribune., 1899-07-19
POLITICAL CONDITIONS IMPROVED.
THE STATE DEPARTMENT RECEIVES AID
VICES FROM THE PHILIPPINE
COMMISSION

VICES FROM THE PHILIPPINE
COMMISSION
Washington. July 1S-The following state
ment was given out this afternoon at the State
Department.
The state Department yesterday received
from the Philippine Commission an important
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 Cavite. These are
working admirably and one good effect OF them
Is that considerable numbers OF the insurgents
are constantly deserving and coming m, some OF
them with arms. The system will soon be ax-
tended to other towns which are 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 message OF General Otis OF June 26. ex-
cept that a number Of ports in the southern
part Of Luzon, in Leyte and other islands
the south have since been opened to trade. Dis
patches from Dr. Schurmann on his return from
MS trip through the southern part OF the archi-
pelago were Of the same purpOrt. A disposition
10 accept American sovereignty and TO welcome
our troops was everywhere manifested
The report Of General Otis of June 26 re-
ferred TO by Commissioner DENLY in the above
dispatch. stated that consequence Of the
rainy season little island campaigning was now
possible in Luzon. We occupy said General
Otis. a large portion Of the Tagalog country
The lines stretch from Inus the south to
San Fernando on the north. nearly sixty miles.
insurgent armies have suffered great losses and
are scattered. The only large force which holds
together is about four thousand in Tarlac Prov
ince and Northern Pampanga There are scat
tered forces in bands OF fifty and five hundred
in other portions Of Luzon. in Cavte and Ba
tangas provinces. They could possibly assem-
bic as many two thousand They de-
moralized from recent defeat The most OF the
people are terrorized by the insurgent soldiers
but desire peace and American protection
They no longer fee from our troops unless
forced by insurgents. but gladly welcome them
There has been recent burning Of towns
The population within lines has become
dense, taking up land cultivation extensively.
They are kept out Of Manila as much as posi-
BILE the city population was becoming too
great TO be cared for. The only hope OF the in
surgent leaders is in aid from the United States
This is the influence which enables them 70 hold
ut. Much contention prevails among them anG
no civil government remains. The trade with
ports not in our possession. the former source
Of insurgent revenues. is now interdicted. Gen
eral Otis doubted the wisdom Of this policy, as
people in those ports are without supplies or
food and the merchants suffering losses. He
ueditatad at that time the restoration Of trade
privileges 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
oT able Filipinos Affairs in the other islands
are comparatively quiet. awaiting results in
Luzon. All were anxious for trade and re-
peated calls for American troops were received
He is giving his attention 20 the Jolo Archi-
pelago and the Palawan Islands
General Otis speaks OF the general desire OF
the volunteers TO re-enlist He has provided FOR
the enlistment Of the two regiments which nave
been authorized. and has asked permission 10
organize third regiment