The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-06-27


INGTON HOTEL, WASHING
TON, June 26.-Secretary Alger
received a dispatch from Gen
eral Otis to-day reiterating his
statement that 10000 effective
men will be sufficient to enable him to
control the Philippines situation. This
dispatch was not made public, but will
be laid before the President when he re-
turns to Washington tomorrow.
The message from Otis was in response,
/ understand. to a cablegram sent from
Washington yesterday asking again if he
was in need of additional troops. AS a re-
suit of his statement there is DISPOSE
ton not to raise volunteers, although, as
the officials with whom 1 talked said.
this was a matter which the President
alone can now decide, and his decision
will be announced after his return.
In view of Otis report that II per cent
of his men are i'll. it was stated at the
War Department that it was to provide
General Otis with fighting force of 30,
900 men at all times that additional regu-
lars have been sent to Manila. The de-
partment was advised to-day Of the sail
ing of the transport Sheridan from San
Francisco with more than 100 men and a
number of officers.
In military circles there is still hope
that the President, notwithstanding OTIS
statement that 30 900 men are all he
needs. will authorize the raising of volun
teers. Expert strategists declare that for
the moral effect the call would produce.
if for nothing else. the President ought
TO authorize the organization of at least
ten regiments.
General Otis, in a reply to a cable from
the War Department asking for informa-
ton regarding the situation and condi-
tons in the Philippines, to-day cabled a
long reply as follows:
MANILA June 26-Adjutant General. Wash
ington: In the rainy season little inland
campaigning is possible in Luzon. We occupy
a large portion OF the Tagolog country. our
lines stretching from linus the south to
San Fernando the north. nearly sixty
miles. and to the eastward into Laguna prov
ince. The insurgent armies have suffered great
losses and are scattered The only large
force is held together, about 1000 in Tarlac
province and Northern Pampanga. Their
scattered forces are in bands OF 80 to 800 in
other portions Of Luzon- In Cavite and Ba-
tangas provinces they could assemble possibly
2000 though demoraiZed from recent defeat.
The of the people are terrorized by the
insurgent soldiers and desire peace and Ameri-
can protection. They longer fee the
approach of our troops unless forced by the
insurgents, but gladly welcome them. There
has been no recent burning of towns. The
population within our lines is becoming dense
and land cultivation is taken up extensively.
ne people are kept out OF hdIllia ds IluCH as
possible as the city population is becoming
too great to be cared for. The natives of
Southeast Luzon combining TO drive out
the insurgents, The only hope of the insurgent
leaders is United States aid. They proclaim
the near overthrow OF the present administra-
ton. 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 remains Trade with ports
not in our possession, a former source Of in
surgent revenue are now interdicted. 1 am
81 r &c raTlf
people in those parts are without supply of
food and merchants are suffering losses. l
mediate restoring trade privileges, although
the insurgents might reap the benefits. The
courts here in successful operation under
the direction OF able Filpinos.
Affairs in the other islands are comparatively
quiet awaiting results in Luzon. All are
anxious for trade and repeated calls for
American troops are received. l am giving
attention to the Jolo archipelago and the Pala-
worked to the limit of endurance. Volunteer
organizations have been called in and replaced
by regulars who now occupy the salient po-
sitions The Nebraska, Pennsylvania and
Utah regiments are taking transports, and
the Sixth Infantry has been sent TO Negros
to relieve the California. These troops are in
good physical condition.
Sickness among the troops has increased late
~, due mostly to the arduous service and
climatic influences. There is nothing alarm
ing. OF the II per cent of the command re-
ported sick nearly per cent is in the gen
eraI hospital, Of whom per cent have typhoid
and II per cent malarial fevers; u per cert
have Intestinal trouble, the remaining SO per
cent have various ailments. IA per cent of
which are due to wound injuries. Many Of
down under the recurrence of the Cuban fever,