The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-03-28

When Secretary Root late yesterday aft
ernOon announced the abolition OF the De
partment Of the Pacific and Eighth Army
Corps and issued orders establishing the
Division Of the Pacific" IL was the first
official step toward relieving General Otis
from the command OF tn Army in the
Philippines.
The new division viii be sub-Jirided into
four departments to be commanded by
prominent officers now uLder General Otis
as follows. Department Of Northern LuzOn
Gen Arthur Macarthur. Department Of
Southern Luzon. Gen. John c. Bates; De-
partment Of the Visayas. Col Robert p.
Hughes. and Department o. AIintanao aud
Jolo. Col William A. Kobe
In addition 10 issuing the order sIb-ii
viding the work Of the campaign in the
Philippines. Secretary Root also had an
interview with the members OF the new
Philippine Commission yesterday after
noon. and il is said discussed the question
OF establishing civil government in the
islands According 70 a weIl-infOrmcd
Army officer the dividing OF the mill
tary Department Of the Pacific means that
General Otis viii be relieved OF his COM
mand upon the arrival Of the Philippine
Commissioners at Manila. IL Is said that
the subdivisions were made at this time
In order that the commanders Of the new
departments may become acquainted with
their duties and be in a position TO point
out 20 the Commissioners the needs Of
their respective localities so that civil gov
eminent may be established as soon as
possible.
Those in command Of the new depart
ments. IL is said. viii also be given per
mission to act in their discretion against
the natives who continue in rebellion
While General Otis viii be in nominal
command OF the Department Of the Pa
CifC. he viii be relieved Of the many mi
nor details OF campaigns which. his
friends claim. have proved so harassing 10
him and have undermined his health.
The minor officers Of the various de-
partments viii be under the supervision
Of the department commander. and thus
escape the rule OF General Otis which is
sand TO have proved so CALLING 10 many OF
them.
Il is generally believed in Army circles
that Secretary Roots order. which is said
TO virtually deprive General Otis of much
Of his power. will prove very popular with
the Army in the Philippines. and viii re-
suit in increased efforts by the depart
ment commanders in subduing the rebels
within their territory
The successor to General Otis in the COM
mand of the Department OF the Pacific. il
is said has not yet been selected. but it
is believed that il will be General Arthur
Macarthur, who is a major general of
volunteers and the ranking Oficer after
General Otis. The name OF Brigadier Gen
eral 5. p. NJ. Young, who is the colonel o;
the Third Cavalry and a most emerge tic
officer. has also been mentioned. but It is
believed that the command viii be first Of
fered to Macarthur
The confidence Of Secretary Root in Gen
eral MacArthur's ability is shown by the
fact that he was made commander OF the
Department Of Northern Luzon, which is
the most important OF the four new divi-
siOns. AguinaldO is believed to be in hid
ing in that part of the country and the
mountainous section still swarms with
| armed insurgents who. in snail bands. ars
| preyiug upon the peaceabie natives. Gen
| eral MacArthuE's first work will be to sup
! press the rebelliOus bands and if possible
/ TO capture Aguinaldo. The question OF civi
| government for his department will be de
| cided after the Philippine Commissioner.
| reach Manila.