The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1900-09-10
POLICY OF NATIVES SHOWN

Washington September S.-The war de-
partment has made public a report of
Major General Otis. giving details of the
operations of the United States army In
the Philippines from September /, 1899,
to May 5, 1900. Beside containing an
account of the movements of the United
States forces, there IS considerable space
devoted to the policies of the insurgents,
shown to a great extent in the puDlica-
ton of the captured correspondence and
documents found In possession Of persons
In sympathy with the insurgents. General
Otis says he desires to correct an er-
roneous impression that the war with the
insurgents was initiated by the United
States" After explaining the conditions
which existed at the breaking out OF
hostilities. he says:
WAR with the insurgents was forced
upon us and was unavoidable.
General Otis asserts that this is shown
in Filipino correspondence captured by the
Americans. which correspondence ne says
proves that war was planned by Aguinai-
do. He also denies that the Filipinos
endeavored to stop hostilities after the
first outbreak. but were refused by the
United States General Otis at consider
able length details the difficulties OF the
campaign and describes how by relent-
less pursuit General Young's troops hber-
ated 5000 Spanish and American prisoners
held by the Tagalos. The Importance at
tached to holding the prisoners by AGul-
naldo. he says. is indicated by the TO-
lowing captured instructions sent TO
Filipino chief officer November Is, 1899:
''Take care of our prisoners, for therein
lies our great hope. Spanish commission
ers try to deceive us, dealing with US 50
insurgents. Our government sent them
away and they withdrew greatly diSpleaS-
ed The quadruple alliance between
France, Russia. Germany and Spain IS
a fact. Before December we Will know
our fate. Throughout Europe there Is
sympathy for our cause. American dem
ocrats already in our favor They are
sure of Bryanss triumph next election.
General Otis goes at length into the
constant activity of the insurgents IN tina
vicinity of Manila and ascribes 1t TO
Aguinaldo's agents, who were acting I'M
der orders. As showing the barbarous
character of the insurgents mode OF war
fare he quotes a letter from AdJutant
General Torres to the insurgent secretary
of war in February 1883. stating that La
Paz in Parlac was the place TO concen-
trate the captured friars. because natives
there We're attacked with fevers and few
strangers stopping there escaped death.
Commenting on this. General Otis says;
'srThe character of these state papers
might prove amusing if they did not de-
pict a startling depravlIy on the part o5
the men claiming 10 rule by rlSlt dhu
ulous country. and to be actuated by the
most humane and patriotic CONVICTIONS;
If however. the secret state papers %
the class above showp-nany OF Wilica
came into cur possession through capture
are NOT pleasant reading, the pihilc
proclamdtl6ns of these men might De, l.
they were not based in falsehoods. wmch
deceived the more ignorant or the people
These men were gift1 in appealing either
To the most depraved passions of the peo-
pie or 10 its most cultivated sentiment
General Otis next gives proclamation
of Aguinaldo. dated August "A. 1873. as
surfing the Filipinos that some Americans
covet the beautiful Filipino and have
invented many deceitful means to possess
her" Aguinaldo praises the Filipinos for
tie fight for liberty they are making
without pay or without the hope of re-
ward. In the course of the proclamation
is the following:
I'VE ask God that ,He may grant the
triumph of the democratic party in the
United States. which is the party that
defends the Philippines, and hat imperial
ism may cease from its mad idea OF sub
DUNG us with arms. and hope that my
fears may not be realized. that in case
the democratic party is defeated. that the
mperialistic party will revenge itself on
the Philippines by enforcing large m
demnity from us-which it will be imposs-
bic for us to with the object or
gaining by this means the triumph OF IT'S
desires, end which would prove that this
war from any standpoint IS unnoiy WIFI
it's black color of eXplOltation.t 1t is no
other than an assassination"
Aguinaldo adds that they are able To
find some hope of sympathy among the
good Americans who still follow the pre-
cepts of justice. which they inherit from
their Industrious ancestors. the founders
of the republic of the United States.
There is also an appeal to the Filipino
army by the Filipino secretary of war.
dated October ), 1880. in which he says
that the critical moment is approaching.
and predicting that the Filipino people
will give another proof of their legendary
valor ana again make the enemy bite the
Gust, and then, in the ease of peace,
YOU will be able to Oluck your conquered
laurels with the legitimate satisfaction
which comes from duty well done. and
receive the rewards which the government
will bestow upon you
General Otis gives an account OF all the
military operations up to the time he
was relieved, and closes with warm
commentator of the American soldiers
and of the assistance rendered by the
navy.