The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-04-10
SEATTLE, TUESDAY, APRIL 10.


ucn. Ot1S.
After nearly two years Of uninterrupt-
cd service In the Philippines Gen. Otis
has been recalled at his own request.
Now that he is about to give up the
command Of the Eighth army corps and
relinquish the manifold civil and mill
torv duties TO which he has given his
attention. opportunity is given to pass
Judgment upon his services as a whole.
and TO estimate fairly what he has ac-
complished during his recent active ca
rcer.
Gen. Otis position has not been an
enviable one. He has had great respon-
sibilities thrust upon him, and he has
seen At TO assume the task OF attending
TO a multiplicity OF details sufficient TO
make him the hardest worked man now
IN active service. Although for sew
erai months there has been little
fault finding from any responsible
source. there was time when
no day passed without round abuse for
Gen. Otis from some quarter. He was
criticised by prominent men and both
press and public were reiteratlng con-
stantly that he should be removed and
a better officer substituted in his place
Returned volunteers were especially
frank and fearless In passing judgment
upon the acts and capabilities OF their
former commander. Many OF these
volunteers did not hesitate to show
wherein otis had erred and to ex-
plain what ne ought 20 do and how he
should do II. He was charged with be-
ing too cautious. and styled ian old wo-
man" II was common 10 hear that he
was busying himself with triles and al
lowing the larger and more important
phases OF the campaign to be neglected.
II was claimed that while he might be
qualified TO perform the duties OF oivil
administrator. he was too slow and I'M
aggressive for military leadership In the
campaign, and therefore should be dls-
placed by some one who was more OF
a fighter.
There Is reason TO believe that tho
original authority conferred upon Gen
otis VAS too comprehensive lie was
made military governor and upon him
rested the responsibility OF managing
the military campaign as well as provid-
ing for civil government throughout the
islands. The administration Of Manila
Itself. with proper care for its peace, or
der ana health. was a task Of sufficient
magnitude TO occupy the time and at.
tontion OF one man. and yet Gen. OTIS
devoted himself 10 these duties as a
mere incident There were militia ~
movements 20 be supervised on north,
south and east. IA well as IN the neigh
boring islands To provide some sort
Of civil administration rs suggested by
the commission and approved by the
president was an undertaking Of no
small magnitude and called for thought.
foresight skill good Judgment and com
mon sense Judges had 20 be appointed
ana miaor officials named for suhordi-
nate positions The customs and excuses
hal to be attended 90. The agricultural
and rude manufacturing cn,crprtsr q
zach as they were had to be pro
tectea The interests ~ churches aud
religious orders called Tor consider
alton. Ana when Il is rempui bcre 4
that vexsd questions arising out Il
ali these different branches u al.
mialstrauoa had ia many Instances
20 10 referred finally Go the com.
handing general who was nnsl
authority IL can he seen easily that the
duties imposed upon Gen. Ous were
ecvere and exactius
Win all these varied responsibilities
Il Was not reasonable to expect that
Gen. otis should not make some mis-
take. Thus. & Is new generally conceded
that he was at fault in insisting at the
outset that %. 900 men were sugiicleut
with " hleh 10 establish the authority %
tha United States His plans ~ cam
psign, too, are thought 60 have been not
always OF the best when he expended
men. time. money and energy TO take
towns and positions which were only 70
be reiinquished 10 the enemy a few