Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1899-07-27
WORDS FROM PLATT.
The New York Senator Replies to
the War Critics.
He Defends the Presidents Policy In the
Philippines and Tells Why Gen.
Otis Force Is Not Larger
Than 1t Is

New York, July Ex-senator Platt
gave out last night a long statement
on the war in the Philippines which it
is said was inspired by President Nc
Kinley. The statement in brief is as
follows:
propose herein to answer certain criticisms
which are being directed at the conduct of the
war In the Philippines. It should be borne in
mind, in the first place, that the governments
means OF information concerning what has oc-
CURED in the Philippines are not confined to
Gen. Otis The navy department. has its agents
there. The president is directly represented by
Mr.. DENLY, who was for Ii years our minister to
China, and by Prof. Worcester. who resided in
the Philippines for four or five years and who
knows the native character and habits. The
Philippines campaign is receiving the presi-
dents constant personal attention He is in
direct cable communication with Manila and
receives daily reports from all sources. The
possibility Of his being misled about the facts
in the case is scarcely worth considering. The
precise fact he obtains it, not only from Gen.
Otis, but from each of dozen more of his
Official lnformantS, is that for distance of so
miles north of Manila and of 20 miles
south of Manila and eastward into Laguna
province, our armies hold the territory;
that insurgents are scattered beyond
lines in bands of from so to 500, their only con-
siderable force consisting of about 1, 900 men,
who are encamped in northern Pampanga.
The southern army of the insurgents, possibly
1900 strong, is badly demoralized by recent de-
feats. The presidents adVices report to him
that in number of cities within the American
lines local governments have been formed which
are diScharging their functions competently and
to the satisfaction of the people, that the mass
OF the people desire peace and American pro-
lection; that they no longer fee on the approach
of our troops. but heartily welcome them; that
the population within the American lines is
dense and grows larger all the while and that
land cultivation is going extensively.
The president is advised, and on this point his
information comes unanimously from all the
able men whose official obligation is to keep the
government accurately informed, that the only
hope of the insurgents lies in the efforts they
are making to convince the people that a change
of government is about to occur in the United
States favorable to the insurgent cause; that
there is a general opposition among the Ameri-
can people to the prosecution of the war and a
liked purpose on the part of the political party
about to come into power to withdraw the
American army and to organize the government
OF Aguinaldo. This idea is being asSiduouSly
cultivated by the insurgent leaders and it so far
serves their purpose as to enable them to main
tain their forces in fairly strong array.
Three regiments of volunteer infantry are in
process of organization at Manila, and the ten
home regiments will be ready by the middle Of
August. So that by the end of the rainy season
and soon as troops can be used. Gen. Otis
will have fully equipped and effective force Of
not less tan 10000 men, and 1O, 600 more will be
ready for departure in case they needed
1t may be true that if, on February 5, when
the insurgents made their attack, we then had
properly dispersed through Luzon island such
an army of occupation will be there in the
fall, the rebellion might be now much nearer
its end than it seems to be, but the facts which
have briefly rected show. first, that the presi-
dent had no right in honor and good faith with
Spain, to send to the Philippines one sin
gle man more than was there, nor on his
way there, when the peace protocol was
signed, last August until the ratifica-
tions of the treaty of peace were exchanged on
April IL. On that day the Philippine islands
became the property OF the United States. The
facts show, second that he could not have sent
to the Philippines, assuming that the obstacle
of good faith with Spain had been removed,
only body of men whose enlistment expired
with the proclamation of peace and whose dis
patch out of the country was consequently of no
avail
The facts show, third, that he had assembled
an army much larger than his military advisers
thought necessary and large enough, as the
event has proved, to maintain our position and
greatly extend authority. And the facts
show. fourth, that since the proclamation of
peace with Spain and the passage of the new
army bill, he has reorganized military
forces in their entirety and is possessed of
an army with two years of service TO run more
competent. as his advisers believe, to bring
about the paciication of the islands.