The Washington weekly post. (Washington, D.C.) 1878-1916, 1899-04-18

No kilograms were received at the War
Department yesterday from Gen. Otis.
and the absence of any report from
him was accepted By the officials as ala
indication that there was no foundation
for the apparently discOuraging reports
published in the papers yesterday mora
ing
As a matter OF fact, the return of Gen.
Lawton TO Manila was anticipated here.
When he left on his campaign he car
ried with him rations for only ten days.
and his return is sufficient evidence that
the work which he attempted. the driving
back OF the rebels, was successfully ac-
complished. No credence was placed by
the War Department officials in the re-
ported interview with Gen. Lawton, in
which he was made TO say that it would
require an army of 100000 men 10 hold
the Philippines. 1t is possible that he
may have remarked that it would take
this number of men to garrison every
town in the islands. Such statement
would undoubtedly be true, but there is
no intention of establishing these garri-
sons. They are not believed to be neces-
sary. on the contrary, the sentiment
among the officials is that the object les
son Of aggressive warfare which has thus
been given TO the natives will be suff-
cient 10 hold in check the great mass o.
the Filipinos.
1t was stated yesterday at the War De-
partment that no request has been re
ceiVed from the Philippines for a larger
force, and there is no intention of in
creasing the army there beyond the seven
regiments which have already been or
dered TO Manila. No doubt is entertained
of the ability of Gen Otis TO hold his
own until these regiments can reach the
scene of action. The troops now IN the
Philippines are said 20 be in excellent
condition, fully equipped, and healthy.
No Native Regiments YET.
There was some talk yesterday to the
effect that the conditions in the Philip
pines would Eecessitate the immediate
creation OF the provisional regiments OF
natives provided for IN the army bill, bul
Secretary Alger positively denied that this
action Was at present contemplated. Tie
President has not yet given the slightest
consideration TO the formation OF these
regiments, and the fact that they are moi
regarded as necessary az this time al
fords the best proof OF the optimistic feei-
ing entertained in the department. In
fact, il is asserted positively that nothing
has been received from the Philippines
which is in any way 10 be accepted as
unfavOrable news.
1t was learned yesterday that the re-
cent action of the President in restoring
to the Cortes brothers The property winch
was taken from them Ly Spain during the
war has had a most beneficial result in
assuring the leading property owners on
the islands that their rights are 10 be re-
spected. 1t seems that a very large
amount of property was sequesteIed b.
Spain, with the idea of holding it as u
hostage for the good conduct Of the ma
tiveS. The United States succeeded 10
this property, and as long as it was not
returned, the owners felt that their LOT
was no better under the American flag
than II was under the flag of Spain Now
that restoration is being made the senti-
nIeHt toward the United States is i'm
proving among the better classes in the
island. The President has received a
cdblegram from Gen. Otis asserting this
10 be a fact and there is every reason 10
believe that in the future the greatest
consideration viii be shown to those who
at the hands of Spain.
IL is expected that with the approach
OF the rainy season a new poncy will
have TO be adopted in the Philippines. bur
Its details have not been definitely ar
ranged. Gen. Otis will undoubtedly be
asked IOf MS opinion as TO the best course
10 pursue, and much will depend upon his
advice.
The State Department has published a
report from United States Consul Will
Jams al Manila in which he refu;es the
statements regarding the health ana eli
mate of the Philippines. During the last
year he says he heard of no Temperature
IN the Islands below 81 degrees and none
above 80 degrees in the sun. The city of
Manila IS swept by sea breeZes and has
an abundant and good water supply The
death rate Is small, and with proper care
one may be entirely healthy.
American Volunteers DIscontented san
London, April lS.-The Times. comment
ing editOrially to-day upon Mai. Gen.
Lawton's retirement from the Laguna de
Bay district in LuZon, finds in il nothing
surprising or discoUraging.
British Generals have often had TO do
the same thing" says the Times, "in
similar circumstances. A much grayer
matter is the reported discomfort of the
American troops, but here also all coun-
trIes pursuing foreign policy have had
the same difficulties 10 contend with. and
nc doubt the United States will soon frd
II advisable 10 initiate European meas
ures and &c enlist q regular force for the
purpose Of holding the Philippines. For
elgn possessions cannot be held by volun-