The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1900-05-09
CEN. Otis IN A HURRY.
Said to Have Departed Prema-
turely from Manila,
ABANDONED HIS POST.
Was Expected to Remain Until Ar.
rival of Philippine Com m ission-
Will Succeed Gen. Merritt.

Manila, May 5.-The United States
transport Meade sailed for the United
States at 5 o'clock this afternoon with
Maj.-Gen. Otis and two aides-de-camp on
beard. The warships in port fired a
major generals salute as the steamer
raised her anchor.
The governors launch left the palace
at o'clock, carrying Gen. Otis and Gen
MacArthur's STATS tc the Meade. The
Twentieth and Fourteenth infantries
drawn up ashore in front of the city
wall, presented arms and the bands
played Aud Lang Syne," while the bat
terry saluted
During the morning the Supreme court
judges and many officers called at the
palace to bid farewell to Gen. Otis, who
Kept at work with his accustomed ener-
gy until the moment of leaving.
= SINCE the beginning of the Instruction
zen. Otls has kept at his desk from early
Deen seen on the Lunetta. like the other
ofhcers, and only two or three times has
he been i'll society and the occasions
were semi-official receptions. The gem
efai leaves the army admirably organ
lied, provisioned and clothed.
La Hurry to Leave.
Washington, d. c., May 5.-Gen. Otis
was expected to remain in command in the
philippines at least until the arrival of
the Tart commission, about May 20, and
ms preclpitate abandonment of his post
at this time is rather mystifying to the
war department. The first intimation
received from him of change in his
plans came in an urgent cable dispatch
yesterday (Friday), requesting to be re-
lieved. The request was promptly grant
ed, and by the Presidents direction
reply was sent by Gen. Corbin directing
zen. Arthur Macarthur to assume com
mand. Gen. Lloyd Wheaton was desig-
mated to succeed Gen. Macarthur in
command of the department of northern
Luzon. Another cable dispatch to Gen.
follows:
Orders of President assign you to
succeed Elwell S. Otis Secretary of war
desires that his departure be attended
with all military honors."
Transport Held at Manila.
That Gen. Otis has had in contempia-
tlon for some time this sudden departure
is the conviction of officials now that an
explanation is given for the delay in the
departure Of the Meade from Manila.
Ihat vessel was scheduled to sail on
May 1 and it is known that she was
ready to sail on time. Gen. Macarthur.
who had been on an inspection tour in
tne south, has only returned to Manila,
Gen. Otis could not start until his re-
turn, and therefore held the ship. The
Meade is one of the fastest ships in the
service and should reach San Francisco
by May rs, so there will be nothing TO
prevent the arrival of Gen. Otis in
Washington by the last day of this
month.
The war department authorities insist
that the return of Gen. Otis at this time
is entirely at his own request, and that
the only reason for his home coming is
the desire to see his family IT is also
insisted that Gen. Otis will surely get
on June 16, caused by Gen. Merritt's re-
tirement.
Secretary Roots Order.
The order issued by the war depart
ment yesterday relieving Gen. Otis from
command of the division CT the Philip
pines and assigning Gen. Macarthur
thereto concludes as follows:
In completion of the transfer Of the com.
mand, Maj. Gen Otis, accompanied by his
cisco, Cal, reporting upon arrival to the
adjutant-general U. S. A., for the further
orders of the secretary of war.
Maj. -(fen. Otis is relieved from command
only in compliance with his own expressed
wish. The President directs that this order
record his high appreciation of the officers
distinguished ana successful services in the
Philippine islands in both civil and military
administration. They entitle him to graft
tude and honor from bis country.
Gen. Macarthur in addition to his duty as
division commander will exercise the duty
of military governor of the Philippines
ELIHU ROOT, Secretary of War.
Manila, May 5.-Coi Hardin's expedi-
ton recently landed two companies of the
Twenty ninth infantry on the island of
Martinique. The troops have already
taken four towns without opposition, the
few armed insurgents encountered taking
to the mountains. Leaving one company
to garrison the island the expedition pro-
ceeded to Masbete.
The cable to the southern islands is
broken and details of the recent fighting
are not obtainable at present.