Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-02-10
RETURN OF GENERAL OTIS
Will Be as Soon a. Conditions Justify His
Departure.
New Philippine Commission Expected
in May-Its COmpOsition-Ex-
Gov. Walcott Declines.

Despite the reports to the contrary, there
is excellent authority for the statement
that Gen. Otis is to be temporarily relieved
from command of the troops in the Phil
ippines as soon as the conditions in the
Islands will Justify It, in order that he may
enjoy a few months rest and recreation
with his family in the United States. As
has been already stated in The Star, Gen.
Otis has made no formal application for
leave Of absence. but in private letters to
friends in the War Department he has
clearly indicated that he thinks the time is
near at hand when he might be excused
from active duty in the field in the Philip
pines. and given an opportunity to visit his
home and family in the United States.
Although the President has not yet taken
any official action in the matter, he has
Informed several friends of Gen. Otis that
he thinks that officer is certainly entitled
and arduous duties which have occupied
his time and attention constantly ever
since his arrival in Manila over two years
ago. the matter of the formal granting of
leave of absence to Gen. Otis with per
mission to return to the United States is
therefore regarded as only a question of
time.
When the CommissiOn in Expected.
The new Philippine commission. of which
Judge Taft is the head. is expected to ar
rive In Manila and enter actively upon the
discharge of its important duties about the
end of May, and its arrival will mark the
latest date of the departure for home OF
Gen. Otis. Owing to the very favorable
progress made in the subjugation of the
insurgents. and the establishment Of num-
icipal governments in various portions OF
the CONQUERED territory. presaging the early
end OF the instruction and the complete
establishment of American sovereignty In
the Islands, it is probable that GEN. Otis
Will find 1t safe and expedient to surrender
the command Of the troops to Gen. Mac
Arthur and leave for home at q date much
earlier than the expected arrival of the
Philippine commission.
The only significance in his probable re-
turn to the United States is that 1t indi-
Gates the practical accomplishment of the
work which was committed to his care.
Gen. Macarthur would be his natural sue
cesSor as the military commander of the
archipelago, as the rext ranking officer
present.
May Not Return to Manila.
Although that is entirely a matter of
speculation, 1t is probable that as the Phil
irpine commission will have made good
progress in the establishment of civil gov
eminent in the islands before the end of
the present year, there will be no occasion
or necessity for Gen. Otis to return to the
Philippines. That Is a matter, however
that will be governed entirely by the pro-
sress OF events, and all statements on that
subject at present must necessarily be
purely speculative.
The New Philippine Commission.
1t is learned today that Ex-Governor
Roger Walcott of Massachusetts has wired
the President his inability to accept DO
siion on the new Philippine commission
His acceptance would have made four OF
the hve members of the commission, the
other three being Judge Taft, Prof Wor-
cester and Col Charles DENLY. Some other
man of prominence in the east will be of
fered the place. The fifth position will 90
TO southern man, probably a democrat
1t Is the Presidents intention to make the
appointments for geographical as well as
other reasons. Each section of the country
will be represented by men OF national
prominence.