The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-06-12
OTIS SEES THE PRESIDENT.
Makes a Bnief Report on Conditions
in the PhiIipnines.

Maj Gen. Eweil S. Otis was in the
various Government officials. Accompanied
by his aides. Capt. Fred ". Siayden and
Lieut.. David s. Stanley, he arrived at 7:45
O'Clock yesterday morning from Rochester.
where he had made a brief visit with his
family. The party was met at the station
by Adjutant General Corbin, and tbs four
breakfasted together. Later ne visited the
War Department, an1 in the absence of
Secretary Root reported TO Assistant Sec
retnry Meiklejeiin.
Shortly after 10 o'clock, accompanied by
General Corbin. General Otis and his two
aides walked over to the White House.
They were received at once by the Presi-
dent. and the conference lasted half an
hour. General Otis made brief report of
conditions in the islands. At the conclu-
sion Of the interview he was met by sew
eral newspaper men.
1T seems to me that the greater part
of the population here is made up of re-
pcrters.' he Sad. somewhat testify.
In response to an enquiry regarding
Judge Taft's reported views of the Philip
pine situation, General Otis declared that
the conditions there are most favo; able.
Spain never had such complete control
as we have now.'' he asserted.
The Spanish Army never attempted to
maintain its authority in the interior Of
the islands. Crops. especially in Negros,
are in fine shape and the outlook is prom
Using.
Il am not disposed to credit the report
that Aguinaldo has been killed. although
he has been in the neighborhood of the
locality where he was reported to have
been shot. However his capture is not
a matter OF Importance. Aguinaldo Is
dead issue. L could have brought all the
rebel cabinet back with me had SO de-
sired
III rase of need will the American
troops in the Philippines be able to spare
sons of their number for service in Chi
na?" was asked.
They might answered General Otis.
'but 1t is necessary. you know. to main
tain an army OF repression in the ISL
apds.
Il have no idea yet where shall be per-
manently stationed" he said in reply to a
questhi hope to be in Rochester for
some-lme.''
Subsequently General Otis walked over
to tha War Department again and had a
long talk with friends there. General Otis
has a sJrigh opinion of the Filipipos as a
race. Their desire to learn, he says, is
something amazing. and the American
schools that have been established have
been crowded past all expectation. Span
ish-Anlerlcan text books having given out.
the natives declared that their children
could learn If supplied with the ordinary
American school books printed in English
The experiment was tried, and it was
found TO be highly successful. Some way
or other the youngsters have managed to
master the ruiiments Of English. and even
the older ones have pored ever the books
in en- effort to learn the language. Gem
eral Otis is much impressed with the work
furnish the final solution of the Filipino
every possible way.
Regarding the general conditions in the
islands. General Otis says that there are
scarcely more robber bands now at large
than there were during the days of nomi-
nal peace under Spanish rule. He is salts
fed that the forces on the islands under
command OF General MacAstiur are suffi-
cient, although it would be impossible for
anything less than an army of 100000 10
maintain absolute order throughout the
whole territory.
General Otis. accompanied b. his two
aides. left last night at IL O'Clock for West
Point 10 report to Secretary Root. He will
bo back either tomorrow night or Thurs
day. and will 90 on to Rochest"'' IN time
70 i,s tho celebration i'll his honor
on Friday.