The sun., 1900-06-09
With Otis
He Briefly Discusses the Situation In
the Philippines. )
DECLARES THE WAR rs OVER
Says Our Troops Are Now Busy
Defending the Natives From
Crimes Committed by
Their own People.

Chicago, June S.-Major General u. s.
Otis of the United States army has left
here for Washington. General Otis de-
clined to enter into detailed interview,
saying it would not be consistent with his
position as an officer to enter into any
extended discourse regarding the situa-
tion in the Philippines before reaching
| Washington. He said he was perfectly
willing to talk in general way, how
ever.
The general was apparently i'll the best
of health and confirmed his appearance
by saving he had not been i'll day since
he left the Philippines and at the present
time was enjoying the best of health.
II left the Philippine situation in the
best of hands," he said. THE officers
are all able men and well qualified to
cope with the different questions and sit
uations that may arise. The war is over.
This guerrilla warfare cannot last long.
To he sure, we will have to repress those
people for a number of years. but there
is no organized force of Filipinos.
1.-The dcpredations that are going on are
conducted by robbers and drones. The
United States troops are now engaged IN
defending the inhabitants of the Philip
pines against the robbery and murder
committed by their own people. But the
conditions are generally improving and.
I'm some parts, are better than they ever
have been.
Population of the Islands.
1--WE have $4,000 effective troops under
arms in the Philippines. Estimates re-
garding the number of inhabitants in
the islands are all wild, but the number
Is between 100000 and 100000. The
great majority of the people desire peace
and wish to again take up their business
pursuits. Business in Manila has resum-
ed activity, and the inhabitants are
peacefully pursuing their avocations.
II do not know where Aguinaldo is.
never saw him. 1t is possible, but not
probable, that Aguinaldo is in the Ca
gayan section of northern Luzon. 1t is
rough, mountainous country and
sparsely settled. AT first he was regard
ed by his people as leader, but of late
he is losing prestige and is not held in
such high regard.
"Stories have been circulated about
depredations committed by men of our
army, but they have been false. Our
men have been held under close restraint
and have conducted themselves like sol
diers.
81 can't see that the administration
of our distinguished secretary of war has
made any mistakes in this campaign.
We may have made mistakes over there.
but if so, they have been the result of
human liability to commit error.
"Ofiicia reports of the warfare have
not been exaggerated especially of late.
am not conversant with the newspaper
reports. Although l received American
newspapers, had not the time to peruse
them. The censorship has not been rigid.
and we assisted the newspaper corre-
spondcnts all we could. OF course some
sensational kilograms We're sent, as it
was very difficult for newspaper men to
secure correct versions regarding our
operations, rs they We're so extended,
but we helped thcm wherever we could.
Il have no idea as to my course after |
reach Washington. | have received no
orders, and simply await the commands
of my superiOrs."