Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-04-03
REVIEW OF OPERATIONS
GEN. OTIstaON PROGRESS IN THE
2PHIkIPPINES.
Heavy LOSSES fnfSeted on Iusursents-
Under Major Batson.

Gen. Otis has submitted to the War De-
partment. probably with view to correct
ing erroneous impressions that exist in this
country as to the state of the instruction
in the Philippines, a summary of the result
of the development of the campaign since
the first of the calendar year. His figures
go lar toward offsettng the belief that ex-
lists in some quarters to the effect that since
the adoption of guerrilla methods of war
fare the insurgents have inflicted substan-
tial loss upon American arms in comparison
with the punishment which they have them
serves received. A significant sentence in
the report diferentiates insurgents and La
dfones showing that Gen. Otis has taken
cogniZance of the fact that a considera BILE
number of the hostiles are not soldiers
under the rules of war, and may not expect
the same treatment. The cabled report is
as follows:
MANILA, April 3, 1900.
Ad1utant General. Washington:
Since January LIST 1874 skirmishes in the
philippines have been reported, mostly very
GERS, IS enlisted men killed, Ii officers, 151
men wounded. 1nsurgent and Ladrone loss
IN killed and left on field was 426; cap
tured mostly wounded, 1853; small arms
captures other insurgent property. Num-
Der of important insurgent officers surren-
der1ng and situation gradually becoming
more pacific. OTIS"
Recruiting FflfpfnOs.
In reply to a cable message received at
the War Department some time ago from
Gen. Otis at Manila, asking for authority
to enlist native Filipino musicians in the
various regimental bands in the islands,
Adjt. Gen. Corbin has sent the following
cablegram:
Secretary of War authorizes enlistment
of competent native musicians in regimen
tai bandS. CORBIN."
The Filipino musicians are said to dis
play quite high degree of musical ability
and will undoubtedly prove desirable acqui-
s:tions to the military bands.
In accordance with his recommendation,
Gen. Otis was also authorized to organize
battalion of native Filipinos. with the 200
Macabebe scouts already in the service as
a nucleus Of the Organization. Capt. Bat
son. who commanded the Macabebe scouts
so successfully during the recent campaign
in northern Luzon, has been appointed major
of the new Filipino battalion. He is now in
this city convalescing from severe wound
of the foot received while in close pursuit
of an insurgent band. He has practically
recovered from his injuries and will start
for Manila in few days.
He has great faith in the loyalty and eff
cheney Of the Macabebes. Generals Lawton.
Young and others shared in this belief
General Young expressed the opinion that
a regiment of Macabebes would be more eff
fective than regiment Of volunteers and
would be only about one-half expensive
Mounted on native horses they can go any
where, as both rider and horse are expert
swimmers. and both can subsist entirely on
the country. B.
AS rule there is sickness among
them. and If necessary they can live on the
country. They were considered by the
Spanish officers as the best troops Spain
had in the Philippines. and they remained
loyal to Spain until the islands passed into
the hands of the United States, since which
time they have been equally as loyal to
the United States. They have constantly
refused to take part in any insurrectionary
movement, either as tribe or individually
and in consequence have suffered heavily
both in lives and In property
They are considered to be somewhat SUI
perior to the other tribes of the island in
Intelligence. temperance and habits Lieu
tenant Batson says they are fearless in
battle, and that 1t is almost impossible to
ambush them. and his knowledge of them
has been gained in. many severe engage
ments and scouts r.