The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-01-03
Review Of the Work
Of General Oils
Manila Dispatch in the Sun.

The close of the year finds General
Otis work rapidly approaching the point
where President Mckinley can safely
permit him to name the date for his re-
turn to the United States. When General
Otis assumed command here he found
an extremely complicated situation,
which steadily became worse until the
outbreak of hostilities with the natives.
Since then the re-establishment Of peace
| and order has been the first essential.
The difficulties under which General
Otis has labored will never be known in
full, although the ultimate publication
OF the war department records will make
them clear to some extent Suffice 1t to
say now that when criticism of him was
most virulent last summer, he was con-
Quoting the transfer Of the army from
volunteer to regular under conditions
sometimes reducing the force to perilous-
ly small commands. Meanwhile, impor-
tant civil problems were constantly de-
mandiEg decision. and harassing compi-
| cations were constantly arising. Regard
| less of public abuse and vituperation Gen
eral Otis pursued a steadfas. course,
| hammering the enemy wherever 1t was
| possible to gain an enduring advantage.
smoothing difficulties. adjudicating civil
| questions and pressing undeviatingly to
| the fullest performance of his public
duty. Now that the end Is practically in
sight a condition will soon be reached
where General Otis will be enabled to lay
down his heavy burden with great honor
| to himself and the consciousness of hav-
| ing performed a tremendous task well,
| under almost superhuman difficulties.
Considered at large the present situa-
| tion Is very satisfactory. The northern
provinces of Luzon are practically
| cleared of Tagals. The natives there well
| come the Americans, and are anxious to
recommence business. They are heartily
| desrous of peace and quiet. The estab-
lishment of two military governments in
| the provinces east and west of the noun
| tains will soon be followed by the estab-
| lishment of provincial civil governments,
with courts. Reconstruction will soon be
| undertaken in Pangasinan Province.
whose capitol is Lingayen. A court of
| first instance has already been arranged
The Zafiro returned at midnight last
| night from Batan, an island which lies
| to the north of Luzon. Aboard the vessel
was General TirOna, who was formerly
| the rebel commander in Cagayan, who
accompanied the Zaiiro to Batan and
used his influence to bring about the sur
| render of the garrison there. All the
| rifles Of the rebels were confiscated eX-
! ccpt ten. These and dozen smooth bore
cannon We're left for the protection OF
| the inhabitants against Chinese pirates.
Until General Tirona landed, the Batan-
| ians proposed to resist the Americans,
| but his representations caused them to
lay down their arms Batan is Il beau
tful island. The people are clean and
peaceful. Their principal occupation Is
the raising of cattle and poultry.
|
| 1t Is daily becoming clearer how ab-
solutely the insurrection is confined to
the Tagals. Outside of their influence
| the country would soon be more peace-
| full than ever it was under the Span
iards. The Tagal provinces are liable
to cause some trouble In a small way for
some time. The parting advice of the
Inde pendencia, the insurrectionary organ.
which died miserably, was fervid ap-
peal to the "blood. crowned soldiers TO
continue their guerrilla warfare. There
| Is some evidence that this will be at
tempted, but only in the Tagal provinces
| Of Dy Tagals Possibly IL will be necec-
| sary to adopt the same tactics i'm these
provinces that were found so successful
| in the island of Negros. These Tagal
| guerrilas constitute only part of the
| population of their provinces, and they
are confined to the naturally lawless elc-
ment which has found war better than
work. Their possession of guns enables
| them to levy tribute on the peaceful ma
| tivos. They are actually only brigands.
Their suppression is a matter of police
| work. not warfare.
There remains Cavite province, the tra-
| dltional home of the Insurgents The
| Tagals have many rifles there. The men
are now occupied in harvesting the rice
crop, but they run to the trenches when
ever the Americans appear. There are
| many rppOrtS that ACltinaldO = workinc
his way to Cavite province. intending tu
make great stand, and promising Ia
capture Manila. There is little hope.
however, that he will stand. If he wouid.
one fight might end everything. lrepa-
rations are row being made for cam
paign In Cavite which will probably be-
gin as soon as the southern ports are