Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-06-01

March Il. 1866. for gallant and meritorious
services in the battle of Chapel House, Va,
and major general, United States army.
February 4. 1859. for military skill and
most distinguished services in the Philip
pine sands.
General Otis served with his regiment in
the Army of the Potomac from September.
1852. to October. 1854. and participated in
many important engagements. AT Chapel
House, Va. September 81. 1864, he was Sc
verely wounded in the face and head. from
which wound he has always suffered Since
the war of the rebellion he served in cam
paigns against the Indians and rendered
other distinguished service in connection
with labor strikes and the formation of
the War School at Fort Leavenworth.
In January. 1SiS he was detailed presi-
dent of the general court-martial convened
at Savannah, Ga, for the trial of Captain
o. NJ. Carter. Corps of Engineers. which
case was about completed when war was
declared between the United States and
Spain. April 81. 1898.
Ordered to the Philippines.
Returning to his station at Denver. Col,
he was asked on May II. 1893. If assignment
to the Philippines second in command
to General Merritt would be agreeable to
him. His reply is characteristic of the man
and clearly sets forth his soldierly instincts
1t was as follows: Am prepared to respond
to any assignment which authorities may
make. On the following day, May II. 1888
he was directed to repair at once to San
Francisco. Cal. and. pending General Mer
ritt's arrival, to assume command Of all
troops assembling at that place and to
sist in their organization and equipment as
rapidly as possible.
Arriving in San Francisco May II. 1898
General Otis set about the performance of
the task assigned him in his usual indefati-
gable manner. The Philippine problem had
been suddenly and Unexpectedly thrown
upon the government for solution by the
a ion Of h..S nap iSh Heat in ha
Dor of Manila on May /. 1898.
The proper equipment of the troops in
camp at San Francisco was attended with
great difficulty. Suddenly called to meet
an unexpected emergency in a far-dstant
portion of the world, no preparations had
been made to receive them. In spite of
these embarrassments the CELEBRITY with
which these troops were equipped and made
ready for the field, and with which great
quantities of necessary supplies and war
material were placed in San Francisco and
loaded on transports, furnished very salts
factory evidence of the efficiency of the
staff departments of the army The ship
ping on the Pacific coast was found to be
very limited and vessels in any wise suited
(even after they were overhauled and re-
pairedD to transport troops to the stropicS
were few. and most of them We're at the
time absent. engaged in foreign or domestic
trade. This want was the principal cause
of delay in dispatchng troops, but the per-
sistent efforts of the War Department. as
sisted by the army supply officers in San
Francisco. accomplished the desired results
very quickly. considering the embarraSS-
ments with which it had to contend.
Working more hours per day than any
officer or man of his command, the rapid
equipment and dispatch of four expeditions
to the Philippines between May p and July
Is, 1898, when he departed with his staff,
was due entirely to the efforts and watch
fulness of General Otis. who is master Of
every detail of line and stan administration.
Appointed Military Governor.
learned OF the surrender of that city and
found our forces occupying 1t. By the de-
parture of General Merritt to appear be-
fore the peace commission at Paris General
Otis. on August -, 1893. was placed in COM
mand of the department of the Pacific and
appointed military governor. Under the ar
ticles of equalization the United States
occupied only the harbor. city and bay OF
Manila The insurgent forces. under Cen
eral Aguinaldo. entered Manila with our
troops on August Ii and actively held joint
occupation with them over considerable
part of the southern portion of the same.
declining to vacate. on the plea, first. that
they had served as allies with our troops
and had the right to participate in the vic
tory. and. second, that they wished to
maintain the positions thus secured to re-
sist the troops of Spain should that gov
eminent be permitted to resume its former
power in the islands. Outwardly peace
reigned. but the insurgents. disappointed
because not permitted to enjoy the spoils
OF war In accordance with med1aeVal Gus
toms and to exercise with the United States
authorities joint control of municipal at
fairs. were not friendly disposed and en-
deavored to obtain their asserted rights and
privileges through controversy and negO-
tiatons and a stubborn holding Of the posi-
tons taken by their troops.
The civil government of the recently ac-
quired territory. with its many perplexing
problems and with no precedents of action
had under like or approximate conditions
to guide him. on whom all responsibility
rested, was carried on without serious fric-
ton with any of the many contending and
discOrdant elements. In the midst Of all
this he was preparing his command by dis
cipline and instruction to meet and success
fully resist the armed opposition Of the ma
tive force surrounding him, when the time
which he knew was near at hand, owing to
the attitude and preparation Of the enemy
| should arrive In addition was the work of
| laying in supplies of all kinds with which
| to meet any emergency, from a base 5000
| miles across the sea.
Commended for His Work.
i