The sun., 1900-06-12
CEN. OTIS ar rHs WHITE HoUss.
Ne says the War In the Philippines 10 Over
Oaly the Rebbsr Bands Give Tresbis.

he says the War In the Philippines Il Over
Oaiy the Rebbsr Bands Give Tresbis.
WAsHINroN. June ii.-Major Gen Otis called
at the War Department this morning. and
In the absence OF Major-0en. Miles, and secre-
tary Root reported TO Adjutant-G General Corbin.
After short conversation Gen. Otis was accom-
panied to the White House by Con. Corbin.
Justice Harlan. Senator Allison and his aides.
Capt. Fred ". slader and Lieut.. David g. Stan
Icy. The President received the party In the
library and greeted Gen. Otis warmly. Tho
call lasted half an hour. Gen. Otis retSfned to
the War Department and visited several Of tho
beads OF army star corps. he called on Quar-
termaster-General Ludinston and Surgeon
General Sternberg. He discussed with SUN
reporter the Associated Press dispatches from
Manila saying that the Philippine Commission
had found the Filipino war unsurpassed
The commission said Gen. Otis, had not
had time to examine into all the conditions
1t hes not been there long enough to form an
opinion a. to the real situation. There IL no
war In the Philippines. The majority Of the
people want peace. They are afraid OF the
robbers. and II Is the work OF the military now
to suppress these brigands. Aguinaldo does
not cut any figure. He has no influence
could have brought every member OF his cab
met with me 70 the United States Several Of
them were very anxious to come. The capture
OF Pio del Pillar was most important. He
wanted to come over to u.s. but was afraid to.
So with Macobolus. He would like TO surrender
to the Americans but is afraid Of being shot
by the citizens. The civil administration In
the Islands is as free from corruption az It can
possibly be. or course all these people have
had Spanish training. but the courts are thor
oughly honest. The Supreme Court has at its
head an oftcial who strives es hard as possible
Gen. Otis referred TO the MaI,.,a -cccr@. that
army officers believed that a larger army was
necsssssTy to g9st TIE Islands he said
the war was over. Only the robber bands
gave trouble and the natives were giving thep
away to the army officers. Some persons
there are enough there already. / do not
think II necessary to increase the strength
Of the Philippine army to suppress the robbers
Spain never had such complete control of the
islands as we have now. The Spanish army
never attempted to maintain its authority
In Negros. are In fine shape. and the outlook
is promising. ! am not disposed to credit the
report that Aguinaldo has been killed although
where he was reported shot. However. his
capture is not matter Of Importance. Aguin-
aldo dead issue. l could have brought
all tn, rebel cabinet back with me had l so
In case Of need will the American troops In
the Philippines be able TO spare some Of their
number for service in China?" he was asked
They might" was the answer, But i is
necessary, you know. TO maintain an army Of re-
preston in the islands Everywhere the natives
seek our protection against the briaands. The
majority Of the inhabitants want peace and they
want peace under an American administra-
ton. They want American control of the
government and protection by the Americans
against these robbers ] had large number
OF applications from plantation owners for
arms. They asked me TO give them arms,
saying they would protect themselves against
easily summed up at follows The war is over
and there remains the work Of suppressng the
thieves and establishing civil administration
In place OF the military. In doing this there
cided The Presidents Of the different prov
tnces stand In peculiar position. They must
be recognized to certain extent. yet they must
be dealt With cautiously The RELIGIOUS aues-
has been doing what he can. but he has OBJ
stacles to contend with. Aguinaldo has his
own Archbishop, and Archbishop Chapelle Is
compelled TO depend TO some extent on the
ular. The real estate problem is also great
one and will give the Philippine Commission
much trouble"
Reverting TO the opposition OF the Filipnos,
the robbers are pursuing guerrilla tactics.
That s not surprising. They corid not do other
wise. There is no organized rebellion, nothing
but Ladrone bands. They run from our
not face soldiers in battle but II is only oues-
ton Of time before they will be conquered. Then
the civil government will have no trouble what
ever"
West Point for conference with Secretary
Root