The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-03-27
OTIS FAILING HEALTH.
His Friends Declare ThHt He l.
NerEinE on Collapse.


NEW YORK March 27.-Tne following
despatch has been received from Hong
kong:
General Otis is on tile verge Of col
lapse. Surgeons say that he mast return
to the United States sCJn or he Will break
down mentally. His friends admit Il. and
declare he ought to return Immediately.
There is growing Indignation among
Army surgeons because Otis refuses sick
leave TO officers and men whose cases de-
mand immediate return to temperate
climate. Usually deaths occur as the re-
suit.
The transport Sheridan left Manila on
March with a LOT of military prisoners.
Against the protests Of the surgeons Otis
sent as guards for the prisoners men from
the hospitals who were scarcely able to
stand on their feet. They are expected 20
do two hours on and four hours OF duty
in the hold Of the transport in tropical
sea.
This ought TO be investigated when the
Sheridan reaches san Francisco.
'Guerrillas and Ladrones are so active
that we are burning towns wherever the
telegraph wires are cut or ambushes are
attempted"
While the War Department officials deny
that General Otis is to he brought home.
there appears 10 be little dOub, that he will
be relieved by May ] and viii return TO
this country, arriving i'm June, when he
viii be made a major general, TO succeed
General Merritt. and will probably be given
the command of the Department Of the
Lakes. General Brooke will succeed Cen
eral Merritt IN command Of the DEPART
ment of the East.
AT the Surgeon Generals Office it was
stated today that N official reports had
been received concerning General Otis
health, but that as far as possible the Of
hcers on the sick list at Manila were being
brought home. II was admitted that many
who had been III were not brought home
because they could not be spared from i'm
portant commands.
Il have no doubt that General Otis
health is breaking down. said prominent
medical officer, FOR he persists in attend
ing 10 every minor detail Of the campaign
in the Philippines. I have known him for
some years and be Is an officer that wor-
ries himself over little details thrt ought
TO be left to his subOrdinates. II is a won
~ " All AAAoA ne Ado SlO0A the strain as
long as he has II would be a good thing
FOR General Otis to recall him. and il would
also be an advantage the Army. as he wor-
rie' the men under him by his attention 10
the trihing details OF the campaign"
According 10 an officer acquainted with
the situation in the Philippines. General
Otis will be relieved soon after the new
Philippine Commission arrives at Manila.
The Commission is expected 10 arrive
there early in May. Otis viii have a long
conference with the Commissioners at
which he viii explain thoroughly the sit
uation existing I'm the islands. his plans
for civil government. and the needs Of the
inhabitants, AID what he thinks should be
done 10 pacify the insurgents and restore
order
Gen. Arthur Macarthur. il is said will
succeed Otis. He has N, confidence OF
Secretary Root and is one Of the ablest Of
hcers in the Philippines. He has had
charge OF the principal expeditions against
the insurgents since the death Of General
Lawton and Is said to be thoroughly ac-
quainted with the needs Of the natives
The report that General Ous had detail
cd sick men to guard the military prison
ers aboard the sheridan will probably be
investigated on the arrival Of that vessel
az San Francisco which viii be about April
G. II was said al the War Department to-
day that no complaint had been received
concerning this employment OF sick men
The order issued BY Secretary Root today
appointing a board Of officers TO enquire
into the fitting up OF the hos. .Jital ship Ms
souri, and Relief is said to have been is
sued upon the advice Of surgeons al Ma
Mia in order that the vessels VIII be ready
for hurrying home sick soldiers who will be
returned to this country when the rainy
season begins.