Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-10-18

Porac on the north and San Francisco
de Malabon on the south were planned
in the office of Gen. Otis in Manila,
and of course were approved by the
governor general. Notwithstanding
the fact that it is claimed the Manila
made plans contemplated only ex-
petitions against the insurgents. the
immediate withdrawal from the re-
gions captured by the men under Gen.
Schwan, Gen. Grant and Gen. Mac
Arthur is being severely critized.
Most of this unfayorable comment
comes from military men, and they
seem to be of the opinion generally
that grave mistake has been made.
Every inch of the territory that has
been abandoned by the Americans has
been reoccupied by the insurgents.
The critics Of Gen. Otis plans hold
that such maneuvers are most dis
couraging to the men and the officers
alike, who feel that their lives are be-
ing sacrificed without any in
tention of accomplishing results. 1t
is undou btedly true that in the recent
demonstrations our losses have been
extremely heavy compared with the
advantages which have been gained.
Military men whose opinions must
have weight say that the territory
captured must be held by garrisoning
the principal ports and the interior
towns.
The blockaded ports are filled with
immense quantities of hemp which is
not allowed to be shipped. Foreign
buyers and shippers say that the mar
ket is being ruined and the peaceful
people are being starved by the failure
of the Americans to occupy and con-
troll the ports and to protect the rice
crops of the peaceful natives. 1t is
claimed that the shortage of the rice
crop will cause a great deal of suffer-
ing among the poor.
The officers of the medical depart
ment feel outraged because Gen. Otis
refuses to recognize their dire needs.
For MANY weeks he has had reports
before him showing that there was
an absolute necessity for more medi-
cal officers, more nurses and more
hospital room. Still nothing was
done all through the rainy season. 1t
is reported that Gen. Otis requested
more surgeons and nurses last week.
The condition of the patients at the
first reserve hospital is particularly
pitiable. The hospital is in very bad
shape. Hundreds of sick are lying
in dirty tents, although for months
the extreme need of more substantiaT
quarters constantly has been inn
pressed upon the encouragement,
whose failure to erect or provide
sufficient hospital room may possibly
be explained by Gen. Otis' mental
attitude, which caused him to say to
correspondents that % per cent of
the men in the hospitals were ma
lingering. Many of the officers feel
that affairs have reached such an
acute stage that they must protect
themselves from the scandal which is
sure to come. Therefore they are go
ing on record as being opposed to the
conditions which now prevail"
The president has had much to say
of the Gen. Grant unconditional sur
render plan of war ne is pursuing
with the Filipinos, but he does not
seem to consider that in enforcing the
edict which brought the civil war to
a close Grant did not indulge in
idle, meaningless campaigning. Every
foot of ground he gained he held.
When the enemy was whipped by
Grant, it was whipped, and when it
was dislodged it did not come back
smiling and intrench itself in its
old position after Grant had passed
on.
About six months ago it was an
nounced from Washington that when
the reenforcements reached Otis from
this country, he would be in posi-
ton to inaugurate vigorous warfare
against the insurgents and put an end
to the trouble. Otis new has 90. 900
troops at his disposal and he is doing
no better than he did with half that
number. He is pursuing much the
same course that Spain did in attempt
ing to conquer the Cubans, and which
finally resulted in interference on the
part of this country. Let us have
general in charge at Manila.