New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-09
GEN. Otis MAY CONE HONE.
THE PRESIDENT LIKELY TO GRANT A
REQUEST FOR RELIEF FROM DUTY.
IBr rELEGRApH TO THE rRIBuxE.I

IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.l
Washington. Feb. S.-Regarding the rumors
that General Otis is about TO return 10 the
United States without waiting for the Taft Com
mission to reach Manila and relieve him OF much
of his responsibility, AdJutant-GeneraI COrbin.
who is personally closer TO General Otis than
any one in Washington. and who is the sole
means of communication between the command
ing General of the Department Of the Pacific
and the National Government, said to-day:
If General Otis is coming home I am not Of
hciaIly informed OF it. and I think should know
it soon as any one l think the report prob
ably grows out OF a personal letter 1 received
from General Otis. in which he spoke hopefully
Of the early ending or the war. and expressed his
satisfaction with the promise IL gave OF enabling
MN 10 LdHe some rest anu Sc ms = -. ~
whom he has been separated nearly tW> Years
That's all there is 10 It, But will say that II
General Otis asks for leave Of absence or for
relief from duty, he Is in the best position 70
judge when he can be spared, and have no
doubt the President would grant him the same
indulgence that is shown TO the desires OF all
the general officers in the service
General Otis had always shown a tremendous
capacity for hard work before he went TO Ma
Mia, and since General Merritt turned over TO
him the command of the Eighth Corps it has
been known to the War Department officials that
the overnor-General has never devoted less
than twelve hours day TO his work. and for
days at time has clung 10 his Office desk for
sixteen and eighteen hours at time. His re-
sponsibilities have been Of the weight1est char
acter and that man sixIy-two years old could
continue 10 exhibit such physical endurance in
the tropics was looked upon with establishment
VIEWS OF DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS.
Many Of the chief officials of the War De-
partment do not believe that General Otis Will
start for home before the Taft Commission
reaches Manila, some time in May In their
opinion he will not consent 10 load upon Gen
rbo has in
the field for q year. the complicated civil duties
that devolve the Military Governor. II he
were not steadily engaged in active campaign
ing General Macarthur could famiharize
himself with these civil duties but such an op-
portunity hardly be open to him while the
necessity for aggressive military operations con-
tinues
other officials with an inclination to speculate
on the matter suggest that perhaps advantage
is being taken just at present by the Admins
tration Of opportunity 70 let General Otis
down as easily as possible, and get rid Of the
incubus his conduct OF affairs has been. Ac-
cording TO this view, the dissatisfaction Of the
Ffpnos with their ruler and the dissatisfac-
ton in this country with his Judgment will both
disappear the moment he starts for home on
mere leave OF absence or otherwise, the Hkeli-
hood being that. once IN the United states, ne
Will never go back, as ne succeeds 10 the rank
of major general on General Merritt's retire
ment on June 16 next. and in that rank would.
OF course never go back TO the command OF a
subordinate department Of the Army.
Judge Taft. II Is announced, Will return 70
Wa sh4np+on February IL prepared 10 remain in
Washington from that time until the COmmis-
sion's departure for Manila about April l. In
the next week the other members will be def
nftely decided upon. and the Commission will
probably organize for business on Monday. Feb
ruary 10.
Secretary Root said to-day that the War De-
partnent has never considered the subject OF
relieving General Otis at Manila The fOunda-
ton for the report 10 the contrary per-
sonal letter from the General signifying desire
70 obtain a leave OF absence to come home and
recuperate from the uebilitating effects Of two
years in a tropical climate under severe strain