Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-11-09
CAMPAIGN AGAINST NATIVES
THE WAR IS TO BE VIGOROUSLY Y
PROSECUTED,
Admiral Kemp6 and Gen. Macarthur
Have Been Mapping Out
Operations.

| There Is to be vigorous prosecution of
the war In the Philippines from this time
| forward The opponents of American
sovereignty will be given an opportunity to
| come in and lazy down their arms, and it
is probable that through the Taft commits
| sion efforts will be made in that direction,
but meanwhile Gen. Macarthur will pro-
| ceed vigorously against the insurgents
| everywhere.
The plans Of the campaign are now being
worked out and the close of fhe rainy sea-
son affords opportunity to assume active
measures against the insurgents. 1t is evil
| dent from reports that have been received
| from the Philippines that the insurgents
| are being encouraged by natives who pro-
| fess friendship to the United States author
| tiles. 1t is probable that those who are
| thus pretending friendly relations and are
| secretly assisting the enemies of this coun-
| try will be brought to book. There is an
earnestness In the measures which the
government is taking which indicates
| important and far reaching effects.
The plan of campaign, which is said to be
of a thoroughly comprehensive character,
was prepared by Cen Macarthur last
month after a council of officers, and has
received the approval of the War Depart
ment. without material modification. 1t in
wolves extensive naval cooperation, includ-
ing all tne regular WarSnlpS on the station,
as we'll as the numerous small gunboatS
purchased from the Spaniards, which are
to be distributed in fiotillas, each with
larger vessel as flagship. Admiral Remey,
in the flagship Brooklyn, has just returned
from China to Manila to assume personal
charge of the operations afioat, which Ad-
miral kempf, in the Newark, already at
Cavite, has been mapping out, in conjunc
weeks.
The details of the campaign are closely
guarded at the War Department, because
everything published in this country is sent
by cable to the various Philippine juntaS,
especially to that at Hong Kong, and in
some mysterious manner Aguinaldo is
placed in possession of the information in
time to make counter moves for his own
security. But the departure from Manila
Wednesday of two animal transports, each
with several hundred cavalry horses and
pack mules for Vigan, in northern Luzon.
and for the southern islands, indicates that
the period of garriSonS remaining on the
defensive is about to give way to rapid Of
fenSive movements in the strongholdS OF
the enemy.
Bringing Home the Volunteers.
The policy for a more vigorous and ag-
gressive prosecution of the campaign
against the Filipino insurgents who still
hold out against American sovereignty in
the Philippines has necessitated change in
the plans of the War Department for bring
ing home the volunteers and enlisted men
in the islands whose terms OF enlistment
expire June 30 next The original plan was
to start the homeward movement OF these
troops about the 1st instant, and the quar-
termaSter'S department had completed ar
rangementS to that end.
A recent consideration of the general
situation, however. has resulted In decis-
ion that such an early movement would be
inadvisable, under the circumstances. There
are about $1,000 soldiers, including about
"a 600 volunteers whose terms of enlistment
w
provisions are made in the meantime the
army on that date will consist of but $1,000
men, the regularly authorized strength: All
the volunteers and great many of the
short-term regulars are now in the Philip |
pines. 1t is realized on all sides that the
army cannot be decreased to the extent in
dicated without sacrificing American SOW !
ereignty in the Philippines.
Will Ask Congress for More Troops.
Strong representations to that effect will
be made to Congress by the President and |
the Secretary of War, with the sincere hope |
that provision will be promptly made for |
maintaining the army at its present |
strength of 100000 men, either by the en- |
listment of fresh recruits or by the re-en-
listment of the volunteers and regulars |
now in the Philippines. 1naSmuch as that |
question will be brought to the attention
of Congress as soon as it convenes in De-
cember. it has been deemed advisable to |
postpone action for bringing home the pro-
visional troops In the Philippines until |
about the 1st of January.
1t is stated that six months will suffice to |
make the shipment of the returning troops, |
and even If that were not the case they |
could be discharged at Manila and sent |
home afterward.
Reported Prospective Changes.
1t is also reported that many Of the gen.
eral officers in the Philippines, including
Gems. Macarthur, Bates and Grant, will be
relieved in the course of a few months by
other officers on duty in this country and
elsewhere Rumor has it that Gen. Chat
fee, now in China, will succeed Gen. Mac
Arthur in command of the troops in the
Philippines.