The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-06-08
FRIDAY, JUNE s, 1900.
WHAT SHALL WE DO In THIS
STATE or THE CaSL?

General Otis arrived at San Francisco
from the Philippine Island a. week back,
and after being held in quarantine some
days he was released. On reaching the
city he talked quite freely of conditions
in the Philippines, and is thus quoted IN
the telegraphlc despatdaes:
In response to a request that he make
a statement of The situation in the Phil
ippines General Otis said that While 1t
would give him great pleasure TO comply
with the request he was constrained 10
decline. for the reason that such action.
in his judgment, would be inconsistent
with flis duty as officer OF TIE army
Asked What would be the effect on the
war If the report OF Aguinaldo's death
were true, General Otis said that the war
WAS practically ended; that Aguinaldos
followers We're deserving him fact, and
those who now remain with him are gen
orally OF the lower class.
Most of Aguinaido.s officers have left
him, General OTIS said, though some stiil
remain in touch With him. Some of those
who have left him are now engaged in
business in Manila, and others are hiding
III the mountains Many Of his closest
followers are friendly toward the United
States, ana as soon as the natives in gen
eral gain confidence in the friendly offices
of The Americans there would be, in Cen
eral OTIS opinion. little difficulty in bring
ing them 10 ieTn:s Asked as 10 the COM
rnercial value OF the islands, the General
said that they We're vastly rich, especially
in hemp, sugar and tobacco. and that as
soon as the situation became more quiet
business Of all kinds would increase ire
mcndously.
General Otis would not say whether or
not he favored the retention of tae Islands
by this country. IN response 10 such a
query he replied:
I'VE have got them now. What are we
10 do about it?'
Regarding the number of troops and the
condition of the soldiers, Genera! Otis
said:
There are $1,000 effective troops scat
tered among the islands now engaged in
The protection of the people from guerrilla
warfare, which Is rampant in some sec
lions. The general health of the troops
IS exceedingly good. the percentage of the
sick for April being But 10 per cent. AmerL
cans can stand tue climate better than
Filipinos, and especially during the rainy
season did their health impress me The
men are becoming acclimated, and though
II may became necessary to send out relief
troops al times il viii hardly be necessary
10 send soldiers very frequently
General Otis said that his own health
was eNcellen; and that the ocean trip had
done him a world of good. He left for
Washington at night and will report 10
the President at once.
This is very close 10 an official state
nent. Indeed, We may assume that Cen
eral Otis will make. the same statement.
in substance. to the President as his re-
port upon conditions in the PHILIPPINES.
Eararol n,iS, o,,,.t
ignored he was The official head of this
governments operations for the two years
he has been in the islands, and although
he was certainly not popular With tie
civilians who went there from this coun-
try, there is ne reason whatever for cues
tion:ns his ability 10 judge intelligently of
existing conditions. nor is there any to
question his fairness in reporting upon
them.
In view OF this official statement of the
actual facts, What are we going to do
about it@ Are we now TO withdrawn our
money TO be thrown away?
The fact is that ii is impossible at this
time for any man or any set of men to
outline any definite policy towards the
Philippines. Look at the situation in
China to-day. Who can say what the out
come OF this dispute win be9 The whole
Eastern question, so-callea, is In tansle.
and If there is to be a war. Inc United
States VII have interests tina, must be
protected
God forbid that there should be war. and
if SO. God forbid that our government
should be drawn into IL But If the worst
should come, the PHILIPPINES would be of
lnalie.tiable value to us. and would give
us a grasp upon the situation that would
be impossible without them.
This is practical question and must
be dealt with IA a practical way.
@-----------
BROTHER JASPER AGAIN.
Our esteemed contemporary. the New