Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-03-20
THE WAR IN LUZON
Another Campaign Possible in the
Fall.
SERIOUS TROUBLE MAY YET CONE
Effect of American Encouragement
of the insurgents.
M ENACE IN MANILA

In the absence of definite informa ton
from Gen. Otis as to the exact status of
affairs in the Philippines there is consider
able speculation among army officers and
administration officials generally TO how
much longer active military operations
must continue in order to put down the in
surrection and establish the complete sover-
eighty of the United States. The approach
Ing wet season will necesSitate the with
drawal of most of the troops from the
mountains and outlying districts to the
principal coast towns, leaving only small
detachmentS to look after the many guer-
rilla bands which are prowling about in the
interior. 1t is expected that the principal
field operations from now on will be con-
fined to the pursuit of bushwhacki expe-
ditions and the protection of supply trains
from ambuscades.
1t is ealized that Manila is a hotbed of
treason. being the recognized headquarters
OF Filipino conspirators against the United
states, who, while maintaining friendly
attitude toward the officials, are secretly
Matching scheme for the overthrow OF
American control.
Effect of announcement I'm This
Country.
1t Is understood that Filipinos in Manila
have constantly supplied the insurgents in
the field with Information from the juntas
at Hong Kong and at Cavite of the growth
OF the anti-administration sentiment in the
United States and in that way encouraged
them to further resistance.
Unofficial advices are to the effect that
the insurgents have been so deeply i'm
pressed with the possibilities of future in
dependence through the aid of strong
friends in the United States that they are
determined to hold out against Gen. Otis
army as long as possible, confining their
operations through the summer to petty
annoyances to the troops and at the same
time organizing their forces for a more
serious opposition in the fall. Gen Otis is
said to be confident that the Fiiipinos will
never be able to organize another army of
any consequence and that there is more To
fear from an uprising in Manila melted by
the treacherous leaders there than from anv
force that he is likely to meet in the field
Another Stand Against Americans.
According to one military critic the Fill
pinos will gradually mobilize their forces
during the summer preparatory to another
stand against the Americans at the opening
OF the dry season in the fall, and that, no
matter how many times the insurgents may
ne De deieated IN minor engagements, It is not
likely that the war will be successfully
closed until after another prolonged and
vigorous campaign. running beyond the
Tune OF the coming presidential election
Serious Trouble Ahead
The sentiments of several of the military
skeptics are embodied in the following
statement made by one of their number:
Il am not so optimistic as to the speedy
termination of the war as many of nv
brother officers and can't see that the end
Is much nearer than a few months ago.
me SITUATION Is one possessing more prob
lens to meet and overcome than has been
imagined, and l am fearful the army has
yet hard and serious trouble before it.
There has been a great deal ACCOMPLISHED
but the Filipinos have not been subdmed
ana seem to be encouraged from recent ad-
vices to begin fresh again. I know that
General Otis has always regarded an out
break in Manila as possible and his warn
lngs against the presence of women there
have not been received with that serious
attention they deserve. If the natives in
that city shouid suddenly run amuck, as
they might, there would be terrible
slaughter.
Il think there have been vital mistakes
made In the manner in which the cam
not been sufficient mobility of the troops
In the first place. and when we have struck
the FIiipinos we have not hit them hard
enough or smashed them into a feeling of
complete defeat. There is to be no with
drawal of troops, 1 understand, eXcept the
three battalions of the 14th. 18th and 23d
Regiments. which have heen abroad nearly
two years.
ArOODSh1p AHOat.
Major Bellinger of the quartermaster
generals office has returned to this city
from New York, where he made an inspec
ton of the new transport Sumner. He
says that the Sumner is magnificent piece
OF work, and Is probably the finest vessel
OF her class in the world. Her departure
for Manila with a large body of recruits,
winch had been fixed for the 22d instant.
VIII be delayed few days on account of
I ne necessity OF repairing certain damages
to her bow, caused by coming in collision
with a barge on leaving the dry dock at
ne Norfolk navy yard last Saturday. A
large mole was made above the water line.
but the injury did not prevent the innme
diate departure Of the ship for New York.
1t Is estimated that the damage can be
repaired In two or three days, and that the
vessel may be fully equipped and entirely
ready Tor her long journey to the Philip
pines oy the latter part of next week.
Going on the Meade.
Gen. Shafter has informed the War De-
partment of the sailing of the transnort
Meade from San Francisco for Manila
Major Davis and Capts. Manley and Dean
medical department.: Capt Pomroy. suh-
sistence department; Lieut. Burgess. 9Th
Artillery; twenty-one acting assistant sur
geons, seventy men of the HospjtaJ Corns
lour men or the Signal Corps, thirteen re-
crults OF the Sd Infantry, six of the ath
Infantry and one each from the 18th 1Sth
19th 22d and oath Regiments and four Co.
tract horses were on board
second Lieut.. Clifford L. Leonori recen+-
~ ,,,.a appointed, has been assigned to duty
with recruits to be sent to Manila on the
transport Sumner He will join the Dist
infantry upon his arrival in the PhiIinninss
ana be assigned to company by the raoi.
mental commander. vs.