Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1899-06-01
IS NOW PLAIN WAR.
Diplomacy and Philippine Commits
sion to Take Back Seats.
ENEMY TO Be COMPLETELY WHIPPED
Officials at Washington Admit That the
Outlook for an Early Peace Is Gloomy
and More American Troops are
Needed In the Islands.

Washington, May 31.-The situation
in the Philippine islands, as described
in recent dispatches, is such as to make
it almost necessary to- raise at least a
part of the provisional army author
lied by the last congress, If the United
States expects to secure complete con-
troll of the archipelago. The admins
tration has been brought to realize
that it is no longer war and diplomacy
in dealing with the insurgents, but
plain war. Diplomacy and the peace
commission must take back seats until
the enemy has been completely whipped
and forced to surrender.
Gen. Otis has not a sufficient number
Of men to accomplish this end. 1t is
believed that he has so informed the
war department, but the officials will
not admit it. They do admit, how
ever, that the outlook for an early
peace is very gloomy and that more
troops are badly needed in the Philip
pines.
just how to meet this situation is
question which confronts them and re-
quires prompt decision. Although
Gen. Otis states that he will continue
an aggressive campaign during the
rainy season, it is appreciated that he
will be able to do little more than gar
rison some of the points which the
forces under Gen. Macarthur and Gen.
Lawton have taken and hold them un-
til the rainy season is over. 1t is also
dlain that there will be more or less
illness during this period of bad
weather and that when the campaign
is resumed the force capable of active
warfare will be materially reduced.
Including the 1000 troops now on
their way or under orders for service
in the Philippines, Gen. Otis will have
only $4,000 regular troops under his
command. With 10000 regular troops
in Cuba and Porto Rico, there will be
only 1900 regulars left in the United
States. The question, therefore, hinges
on whether it will be prudent to fur
ther draw on the regular forces in the
United States in order to augment Gen.
Otis forces in the Philippines.
Those opposed to organizing a pro-
visional army favor sending more reg
ulars to the Philippines and also en-
listing some of the peaceful Filipinos.
But another element in the war depart
ment is opposed to half way measures
in dealing with the situation. They
are urging the president to issue at
once call for at least 10000 Of the
provisional army, so that it may be Or
ganized, trained and sent to the Phil
ippines in time to begin an aggressive
campaign in the early autumn.
1t is expected that the president will
discuss all phases of the situation with
the cabinet and reach an early decision.
Secretary Alger has been advised by
Gen. Otis that he has appointed as a
board to pass upon all claims against
the United States, Lieut.. Z. II. Crow
der, judge advocate; Maj. C. U. Cen
Second Oregon volunteers,
and Capt. II. A. Greene, Twentieth
This board is also to meet
commission representing the Spanish
government to expedite the settlement
Of the claims of Spain in the Philip
pines. 1t is expected that the joint
commission will consider the question
of the compensation for the armament
and Notifications around Manila that
should be allowed to Spain under the
terms of the treaty of peace.
DETAILS OF CAPT. TILIEY's DEATH.
Washington, May 3l.-The following
dispatch was received at the war de-
partment yesterday giving the details
Of Capt. Tilley's death on the island of
Negroes:
Manila, May @-Adjutant General, Washing
tngton: Gable company's vessel placing cable
between 1lOilo and Cebu ran TO Escalante, east
coast Of Negros, to remove old cable connec-
tions Capt Tilley, signal corps, accompanied
by captain Of vessel and three men, visited
town natives making friendly demonstrations.
While there We're ambushed. Vessels captain
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