The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-05-24

the DSIHCcTdilC party O"eu Iuucu W MS
political vigor and acumen. He is a hope
full quantity In the contest of 1900.
The Truth About the Philippines.
The story told In our news columns yes
terday morning, On the authority of Reg
ular Army officer of rank. only serves to
corroborate private reports which are
reaching the country by scores in regard
to the way in which military operations in
the Philippines have been jobhed and
jockeyed in the political interests of the
Administration. Instead of calling for the
mules and wagons necessary to render his
campaign against the Tagal rebels efTec-
tive, Otis deliberately kept his troops
without transport and practically cen
fined to haversack distance from their
bases of operation. In this way they have
been able only to take the fringe of Luzon
the seacoast towns and ports-while the
insurgents have held and still hold the in
terror. AND cannot be suppressed with the
facilities at the command of the hampered
and chained fiel3 generals. 1t is asserted
generally by officers returning from the
Philippines that the rebellion might easily
have been crushed in few months if our
army had been supplied with Transports
ton to enable it to track the Tagals
through Arhe Island of Luzon, moving in
flying columns.
The suspicion is not new that Otis fol-
lowed the policy mentioned under orders
from Washington to play politics" The
reason his alleged efforts to restore peace
and order in his viceroyalty have failed.
primarily. may be that they were intended
to fail: that he was expected to keep the
war alive for purposes net difficult to con-
lecture. Hostilities in the Philippines GER
tainly have resulted in a feast of fat things
for some people. They have made 1t posi-
1 bic to perpetrate irresponsible executive
government: thereby providing an open
| field for favored individuals who have dealt
proftsbly in arms and ammunition with
! the rebels, in exchange fer cargoes of hemp
and tobacco. They have rendered it easy
to please a large number Of politicians by
! giving volunteer commissions to their rela-
/ tives and friends: and they have prevented
successful curiosity as to details of the
! EXPEDITION and loot which have been going
on in the archipelago ever since Admiral
Dewey left it in disgust.
The game Of politics is not yet played
out Il is to be worked before the Presi-
/ Dental election for all it is worth. Gen.
| eral Macarthur has been unoficially ai-
49, nj
! the day of their deliverance will soon dawn;
! that, by the middle of October. an order
will be issued calling them homo as fast
as vessels can be sent to carry them. This,
/ 1t is assumed. will give the country the
impression that the instruction is at an
end. and such feeling. it is believed, will
create favorable reaction in favor of Nc
Kinley and Long, Mckinley and Taylor.
Mckinley and Otis. or whatever ticket the
Republican party may have out.
As a pure matter of fact the Filipino in
surrection is Ho nearer extinction than it
was year ago. Conditions are not likely
TO be any better in October or November.
They may well be worse. for the rainy sea-
son will give the rebels a chance II reor-
ganize and reeupera,e. while it will deci-
mate the ranks of cur regiments with yell
low and enteric fevers. Considerations
like these do TO affect political designs
based upon the existence of life and
death struggle to preserve the hold Of Han
naism and the trusts and monopolies on
| the throat of the nation. The volunteers
Will be recalled fer advertising purposes.
! and the task of pacifcation left to twenty
four thousand regulars. 1t may be held
that they will prove adequate for the duty.
! II this be true, and It may be. it must have
| been equally so any time these fifteen
months past. Perhaps, If the regulars are
! allowed transportation. they may not find
it impossible to go into the jungles and
mountains and clean up Aguinaldos hordes.
If the game has gone on long enough and
the Administration is nearly ready for
change of policy in the islands, probably
the mules ard wagons will be forwarded.
There may be room for doubt on that
point; there is none regarding the inten-
ton to order the tweDty-one volunteer
regiments home in time to utilize the fact
as an electioneering sensation. We do not
imagine that the effect will Oe all that
the Administration anticipates.