The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-03-15
HAVE CONFIDENCE
in GENERAL OTIS.
Washington Authorities Will Sus-
tain Him i'm Whatever Action
He rlay Take at rIanila.

Washington. March 15.-General Otis,
in forbidding further negotiations be-
tween the Spanish at Manila and the in
surgents touching the surrender OF the
Spanish prisoners held by the latter,
acted upon his own authority. The
government has not sent him any in
structions upon this point. but IL will
unquestionably support him TO the eX-
treme in any action OF that kind he may
take.
1t is said at the state department that
there have been some exchanges be-
tween the United States and Spain.
through indirect channels. touching
these particular prisoners. dating back
10 the signing of the protocol last Au-
gust. The United States government
undertook finally TO secure the release
OF the prisoners. II never contemplated
trying 10 secure their release by ransom.
hut simply through the suppression OF
the insurrection. and cannot be held by
any requirement. of international law
to do more than has been done to secure
the relea>e OF the prisoners. There Will
be no relaxation OF the efforts i'm this
direction, but, as the United States cam
Quoted with all the energy possible, and
as the release OF the prisoners depends
upon the issue of that campaign, there
can be no complaint of failure on the
part of the United States to meet its
obligations.
In preventing the Spanish government
from negotiating directly with the in
surgents, 1t is said here that General
Otis undoubtedly was correct in his
attitude. Inasmuch az the ratification
of the peace treaty has not been effected,
the United States and Spain are still
technically in a state of war. qualified
only by the operation of the protocol
suspending hostilities. In this condition
there is no authority on the part OF the
Spaniards TO negotiate with the insur-
gents without the explicit consent of the
United States. Under the rules OF war
alone there would still be ample warrant
for any action General Otis might take
calculated TO prevent the insurgents
from receiving supplies OF food. clothing
munitions of war or money for the latter
could always. with more or less difficulty,
be resolved into the former, even in the
face of a blockade. If the Spanish
minister of foreign affairs feels called
upon TO address himself respecting this
subject 10 the state department direct
ly or indirectly, he undoubtedly would
be informed that General Otis must be
sustained, though treasured as TO the
intentions Of the United States TO use
all proper efforts to carry out it's under
taking.
The attention OF the officials al the war
department having been called 10 the
report from Manila that General Otis
had refused to allow the retiring Span
ish troops TO carry arms 10 the Carolinas,
II was learned that this refusal was in
strict pursuance of the terms of the
protocol, which governs the absence OF
the ratification of the peace treaty.
Under the technical suspension OF hos
tilities, il could not be permitted that
Spain should change the status quo to
the extent Of fortifying any strongly
garrisoned points heretofore -unprotect-
ed. as has been the case in the Carolinas.
II is gathered that General Otis re-
fusal probably applied rather to the re-
moval of cannon than 10 the small arms
of the troops, although these also may
have been included. When Colonel
Rios. the senior Spanish army officer in
the Philippines. evacuated Ilollo. he car
ried the Spanish garrison Of the town
directly to the port OF Zamboanga, on the
south coast Of the island of Mindanao,
taking with them as much of the cannon
Gnd munitions of the place as his ships
could carry. and it is these stores and
guns that Rios desires to take to the
Caroinas The officials here are a little
puzzled to account for this desire on the
mart Of Spain Ia garrison n nj fortify the
Carolinas for 1t has been assumed that
the negotiations between Spain and Ger
many, looking toward u sale of the group
10 Germany, would be consunimated.
1t is suggested with some plausibility
that Germany has required Spain in case
OF a sale 20 turn over the group i'm such
condition as will not require an effort
on Germany's part TO suppress an in