Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1899-06-30
Will Take $4,000 Men to
Suppress the Revolt.
FILlPINOS NOT CAPABLE
Ut Self Government Says General
Harrison Grey OtiS--United States
Must Retain a Strong Military
Force For Long Time.

NHlcdSO, June 3O.-Genefal harrison
Gray Otis Of Los Angeles, Cal, who was
with the Eighth army corps at Manila
when the insurrecton began and who
saw nearly years fighting around that
city, arrived in Chicago last night, en-
route for Washington. He stopped at
the Palmer house, and will remain in the
city until tonight before proceeding east
ward. His visit to Washington will mark
his muster out of the volunteer service.
General Otis discussed the situation in
the Philippines at considerable length,
and took the hopeful view that with the
additional troops to be furnished the war
would be terminated before the next
rainy season sets in.
with $4,000 troops, all told-say 10000
for the fighting columns and 10000 for
garrison duty" he said, Major General
Otis can suppress the revolt before the
next rainy season, restore peace, estab-
lish order, protect all we'll meaning ma
tives of Luzon in their rights of person
and property and establish and maintain
simple, economical, just and effective
government over the islands,
DO you believe the Flipnos are capa-
BILE of lf-gOvernment, or will it be
necessary for the United States to main
tani a standing army on the islands for
a great length of time?'
I'm their present state, do not believe
the Filipinos are capable of self govern
ment. If the restraint and control of this
government We're withdrawn from them
now, l believe they would be at each
others throats in very short time, and
make farce of f-government. The
conclusion from this PREMISE, therefore,
is that it will be necessary for the United
States to maintain a considerabl force
in the islands for an indefinite period.
Such course will, in my judgment, be
unavoidable if we are to hold, protect
and properly govern the possessions
wrested from Spain as legitimate prizes
of war in an honorable combat. This
country owes much to itself, and it owes
the distinct obligation of providing a
sound, adequate and just government of
the Philippine group. Moreover, it owes
something to the world in this regard.
for it would be a shame and a reproach
to an enlightened nation to conquer and
possess a half-civilized land, then aban-
don it without adequate governmental
protection and internal security"
HAS there ever been any question as
to the duty of the government in the
Philippines?'
II cannot see where the government in
the Philippines can be fairly questioned
by any self-respecting American with a
proper conception of the actual situa-
ton. 1t was not possible to avoid hos
tilities after the capture of Manila. The
most careful. honest and persistent eff
fort to accomplish that so desirable rem
edy has been made by Major General Otis
and all his command, in obedience to the
orders of the president of the United
States. Regarding the general situation
in the Philippines, let these prime facts
be borne in mind: Frst-With even the
small force now available in Luzon the
enemy has been defeated in every en-
gagement. SecOnd-No serious mistakes
have been made by Major General Otis,
either military or civil. He has shown
himself to be commander with a strong
grasp of the situation. He has ability,
experience, skill, integrity, and a marvel
Gus capacity for work.