Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1899-06-29
More Troops Necessary.

Inc Optlmlstlc leellng lnat Il pre-
vailed, to the effect that somehow OIL
other the rebellion would collapse and
the insurgents yield submission, has
given way to the comprehension OF the
cold, unpleasant fact that no grounds
for such feeling exist. The truth is
beginning to ~percolate through the
minds OF officials and people alike-we
have perhaps the greatest task in all
our history before us, if we except the
suppression of our own rebellion.
In spite of all the fighting and cam
paigning that have taken place since
last February, the American authority
is very far from being established in
the islands we half conquered, half
purchased from Spain, and which we
haven't got yet, by any means. Out
side a narrow strip along the coast
north and south of Manila and a few
miles inland, and a few garrisons at
other principal ports in the archipel-
ago, barely half a dozen in all, the ma
tive Tagalogs control everything.
Aguinaldo is recognized and obeyed
by far more of the inhabitants than is
Gen. Otis. After all the successful
battles and the hundreds of enemy
slain. it is an unpleasant fact that our
forces are at present on the defensive
and unable to penetrate further into
the interior away from Manila-not
because they could not drive back and
defeat the enemy, but because they
could not garrison and hold their COM
munications at a greater distance from
base. They have pacitied as far
as they a 90 with their present
forces. just now, too, the rainy sea-
son makes raids impossible and about
all the fighting that is done for some
lime will be what the insurgents them
selves bring on. Though some prog
'ess has been made since the first fight
ng near Manila, the instruction is
till alive and active and those engaged
II it have apparently endless courage
md hope OF ultimate success Though
defeated in battle, their forces
10 not disintegrate and come up smil-
No, day after day, ready to be slaugh-
but never to give up.
This very spirit is the backbone of
he rebellion and its conquest is a mat
er of great seriousness. At the out
ct it was expected that after we had
afflicted a few severe blows the enemy 4
Tould speedily give up the contest,
eturn to their homes and become
subjects ever afterward. The :
lows were inflicted, but the results :.
id not follow. Instead, we encounter
lore bitter and desperate opponents
nan ever, firmly resolved never to
ield. The territory we hold now is
ED by sheer force. Were our troops
emoved, it would welcome the rebels.
NY further conquests We make must
made and held in the same way.
Te have about %, 200 troops ready for
uty there now and they are all busy.
he organized force of the insurgents
probably no larger. 1t is not that
} much that causes us trouble as the
norganized enemy, ready to fall on
nr communications, cut off stragglers
nd harass our columns whenever they
love into the interior.
1t must be apparent to all that heavy
endorsements are absolutely neces-
Try If the revolt is to be suppressed
nring the next dry season, as it must
E. As u troops move on, depots i
i'll have to be established and garri- |
ms stationed at the populous towns |
preserve authority and maintain
,mmunications. This means a con-
ant diminution of the advancing
In view of all this, it is pre-
,sterous for Gen. Otis to continue to /
claim that with $4,000 men he can
lickly put an end to the trouble. Gen.
lwton, who has got nearer the fight /.
9 than Otis. says it viii take 100, 900,
ID he may not be mistaken. The
'esident has authority to call for
900 volunteers and it is probable
at he will exercise it. to the extent J
a portion of them, anyway. very
on. !
OF course the opponents of the Phil |
pine policy are making a great I
cket and secretly rejoicing that we
e meeting so great difficulty in our /
orts toward expansion. Ii is prob J
le that the encouragement they are
wing the Filipinos is a powerful /.
tor in prolonging the struggle, but
also serves to intensity the home Z
ntiment in favor Of making a speedy !
d triumphant settlement of the /
,uble. The American flag viii never J
furled in defeat and failure before