New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-06-05
GEN. OTIS ON HIS Wa Y EAST.
RELEASED FROM QUARANTINE AT SAN
FRANCISCO-VIEWS ON PHIL
IPPINE AFFAIRS,

San Francisco June 4-After five days In
quarantine at Angel Island, Major-General Ell
well E. Otis, who arrived last Wednesday from
Manila, was allowed to land to-day Because or
several cases of smallpox on board the transport
Meade, General Otis and all on board had TO
submit to vaccination. General Otis was
brought over from Angel Island to-day on spe-
cial steamer furnished by General Shafter. who
went to meet the returning General accom-
panied by Surgeon Major Arthur and Captain
Wilson The party was driven to the occidental
Hotel, where General Otis spent the afternoon
receiving callers and preparing for his departure
East 1t had been decided to receive General
Otis here with full military honors, but for some
reason this ceremony was omitted.
When by reporter General Gus IN re-
spouse to a request that he make a statement of
the situation in the Philippines. said that while
IL would give him great pleasure TO comply with
the request, he was constrained to decline for
the reason that such action, in his judgment,
would be inconsistent with his duty as an otlcer
OF the Army Asked what would be the effect on
the If the report of Aguinaldos death were
true General Otis said that the war was prac-
tically ended: that Aguinaldo's followers were
deserving fast and those who now remained
were generally of the lower class Most of his
officers had left him, though some still re-
manned in touch with him. Some of those VINO
had left him were now engaged in business IN
Manila and others were hiding in the mountains.
Many of his closest followers were friendly
toward the United States, and as soon as the
natives in general gained confidence IN the
friendly offices of the Americans there would be
little difficulty in bringing them to terms
Asked as to the commercial value of the ISL
ands the General said they were vastly rich,
especially in hemp. sugar and tobacco. and as
soon as the situation became more quiet bust
ness of all kinds would increase tremendously,
as it was already doing.
General Otis would not state whether or not
he favored the retention of the ISLANDS py TINS
country, and in response to such query ne
merely said: We have got them now. What
are to do about it?"
Regarding the number of troops and the con-
dition of the soldiers. General Otis said There
are fifty-five thousand effective troops scattered
among the islands now, engaged in the protec-
ton of the people from guerilla warfare, winch
is rampant I'm some sections The general
health of the troops Is exceedingly god, the per-
cnetage of the sick for the month of April being
only 10 per cent. Americans can stand the
climate better than Fipinos, and esecially in
the rainy season did their hpealth impress me.
it may become necessary to send out relief
troops at times, it will hardly be necessary to
send soldiers fire quently."
He also said that his own health was ex-
cellent that the ocean trip had done him a
world of god
General Otis started for Washington tonight,
and will report to the President at once. He
could not state when his report of the situa-
ton would be ready. but said he would first
make a verbal report to the authorities in
Washington, and later hand in extended
written report