Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-06-26
Insurgents Trusting in Their Friends
in This Country.
LOOKING TOADMINISfRAfION' DEFEAT
Gen. Otis Reviews the Situation in
the Islands.
SENDING MORE OFFICERS

Gen. Otis has made the following official
review of the situation in the Philippines:
MANILA. June 20, 1899.
"Adjutant General, Washington:
Rainy season. Little inland campaign
ing is now possible in Luzon. We occupy
large portion of the Tagalog country,
the lines stretching from the linus on the
south to San Fernando on the north, near
ly sixty mills. and to the eastward into
Lagun& province.
The insurgent armies have suffered
great losses and are scattered, the only
large force held together being about 1000
in Tariac province and northern Pam
panga- Their scattered forces are in bands
of fifty to 800 in other portions of Luzon.
In Cavite and Batangas provinces they
could assemble possibly 1000, though de-
moralized from recent defeat.
The mass of the people are terrorized
by insurgent soldiers. They desire peace
and American protection. They no longer
fee on the approach of our troops unless
forced by insurgents. but gladly welcome
them; no recent burning of towns has
taken place. The population within our
lines is becoming Dense taking up land
cultivation extensively. 1t is kept out of
Manila as much as possible the city
population is becoming too great to be
cared for
THE natives of southeast Luzon are COM
bining to drive out the insurgents.
The only hope of the insurgent leaders
is United States aid. They proclaim the
near overthrow of the preseIs administra-
tion, to be followed by their independence
and recognition by the United States.
This is the influence which enables them
to hold out Much contention prevails
among them, and no civil government re-
mains. Trade with parts not in our pos
session a former source of insurgent reve-
nue.. Is now interdicted. Am not certain of
the wisdom of this policy, as the people
in those parts are without supply of food
and merchants are suffering losses. Medi-
tate restoring the trade privileges, although
the insurgents will reap the benefits.
The courts here are in successful opera
ton under the direction of able Filipinos
The affairs in the other islands are COM
paratively quiet, awaiting results in I.uzon
All are anxious for trade, and repeated calls
Tor American troops are received. 1 am
giving my attention TO the JOlo Archipelago
and Palawan Islands.
Our troops have worked to the limit of
endurance The volunteer organizations
have been called in; are being replaced by
regulars, who now occupy the salient posi-
tons The Nebraska, Pennsylvania and
Utah troops are taking transports and the
9th Infantry has been sent to NegrOs 10 re-
Neve the California
These troops are in good physical con-
dlton- The sickness among troops has in
creased lately. due mostly to their arduous
service and the climatic influences. There
is nothing alarming. OF the i per cent of
the command reported sick, nearly are in
the general hospital. of whom 3 per cent
have typhoid and Il malarial fevers: -
per cent have intestinal trouble: the re-
naming % per cent have various ailments.
II OF which are due to wound injuries
Many officers and men who served in Cuba
break under the recurrence of Cuban fever.
and the regular regiments lately received
are inadequateiy ofticered. OTIS"
Gen COrbin says that the inadeGuacy of
the number of officers mentioned in last
part of above cablegram has been rene
died by the sailing of the transports Zea-
landia and Sheridan, carrying number of
officers for regiments in the Philippines.
To Reinforce Otis.
The adjutant general received the follow
Ing telegram Ills morning from Gen. Shaf-
ter. az San Francisco:
Transport Sheridan sailed pm. yester-
day wiki Gen. Young and aids. Col. Dag
get. Maj Quinton and Companies y and
II, l4th Infantry, TWO company officers. .39
enlisted men, one acting assistant surgeon,
2lJ rounds caIiber 80 ammunition per man.
Troops n and r, 4th Cavalry. seven officers
It5 enlisted men, one acting assistant sur
SSDn, - cdrblnt and 1l6 pistol cartridges
per man; Lieut. Moss and tWe1.y-fiy. men
2f-h Infantry, 1oo cartridges cdii9er 80 y,er
man: Mai Redman. 10Th Infantry; Mai.
Howard QuartermaSteT: Capt. Dot{ds ah
Infantry; Lieucs. SChreiner Clvd+ s Ford
Joseph III. Ford, Assistant Surgeons Row
den. I'D Infantry; Sarrart 9th Artillery.
GrOmes, 2Dth Infantry; DUckery and Stew
art, 81 Infantry: Smith. 9th Infantry. Eli
OFT 18th Infantry; Mcmillan, 18th Infantry.
DOuSherty, Hobbs and Wade nth Tnfan-
try; S1ipp, 2uth Infantry; McCaskey and
Bfewer, 2iSt Infantry: eight hospital cnrps
men. tOrty-one signal corps. CasuaIs. 1Id
Infantry, two recruits: artillery I'd three
cavalry. +th, Isl: infantry I4rh 251 1stb
400; 2Oth, forty I'D. forty-one; 23d, 323.
Regarded With Satisfaction.
The detailed report Of Gen Otis of the
conditions existing in the Philippines Is
considered satisfactory at the War Depart
ment. 1t IS taken to mean that Gen. Otis
will suspend active military operations on
account of the rainy season. except where
the Insurgents make it necessary 10 defend
the country In possession of the United
States. The dispatch of Gen. Otis reea rd-
ing the belief among F'iipinos that the pol
icy of the United States will not be upheld
Is Regarded as of great significance The
belief sun prevails that when the Filipinos
see that there Is no hope of their recognt-
ton by the United States they will give mn
the nSht and acknowledge the authority of
the United States
The absence of any suggestion as to more
troops being needed is taken to mean that
Gen Otis does not believe they could he
used 10 advantage at present as with the
rainy season at hand. additional trOops
could not accomplish much more than thos4
which are now in the Philippines or are ON
the way to the islands.