Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-09-01
General Otis Has a Conference With
the President.
BE TALKS ON THE PHILIPPINES
Conservative Feeling is Growing
in the Islands.
DELAY IN GOING AWAY

General E. s. Otis, formerly governor gen.
eral of the Philippines, was with the Presi-
dent for some time today. He has been
consulting with officials at the War De.
partment relative to matters in the Philip
pines concerning which he has knowledge
and he will return to his home at Rochester
N Y, tonight. General Otis said that he
is not seeking an immediate assignment to
active duty.
Il have a number of official and private
matters to settle yet he said. My long
absence from home left some matters in
such shape that they need still further at
tention. L do not expect to be assigned
until the last of this month or first Of next. -
May Succeed Wheeler.
1t is not improbable that General Otis
will be selected as commander Of the de-
partment of the lakes, to succeed General
Wheeler, who retires on account of age on
Monday. The President appreciates the
immense amount of work performed by
General Otis in the Philippines and feels
that he is entitled to proper reward. His
selection as commander of the department
of the lakes would give him distinguished
service and would be acceptable to him.
There is ID suggestion that until General
Otis is ready for an assignment the COM
mand of the department of the lakes may
be held open for him. 1t is pointed out
that General Wade, who Is at ST. Paul.
could look after matters in connection with
the department temporarily If the Presi-
dent desires later to bestoW the honor of
the command upon General Otis.
A Talk ON the Philippines.
Gen. Otis said to a Star representative
that affairs are progressing favorably in
the Philippines. ''The people are growing
more conservative every day." he said,
"and are becoming more satisfied. There
would be little trouble throughout the is
lands but for the coming presidential elec-
ton in this country. ASuinaldo and his
lieutenants are hanging on in wild and
mountainous places in northern Luzon hop
ing that the result of the presidential cleo
tion may change the attitude of this coun-
try. They get newspapers from the United
States and keep thoroughly posted as to
what Is going on here. When their hope is
blasted | look for complete collapse of
the attempt to maintain opposition to the
authority of this country. AS matter of
fact there is comparatively little oposition
now. When 1 left the Philippines Agui-
naldo in the mountains with about
go guns. He was on the run all the time.
When our troops were not close on his trail
and fighting him he was being pursued by
the mountain natives This was one of the
few parts of LuZon not then under thor
ough control by us. This control, however,
was far better than ever maintained by
Spain. In some of the islands there is
practically no trouble. Our troops have
covered the entire islands, which was never
done by Spain.
Harvesting Will Aid Conservative
Feeling.
1.-The harvesting Of the crops will aid in
bringing about a more conservative feeling.
The sugar crop will mature in most of the
islands in December, and will furnish
money and employment to the people. A
large rice crop Is now being planted, and
will give employment to the people. Yes,
the people are Industrious and intelligent.
They will and do work. There is not an
abler body of men in the world than the
Philippine supreme court. Many of the ma
tives are educated in Paris and other Eu-
ropean cities. They desire peace, and are
ambitious for their country. They believe
in the good intentions Of the United States,
and think that through us will come their
salvation. The class of men who believe
that way is increasing in numbers every
day, and they are doing much to put down
the robber bands and the reckless natives
who have been disposed to follow the lead
of Aguinaldo and his associates"
Unable to Go to Canton Now.
President McKinley's departure for Can.
ton has not been fixed. He had hoped to
be able to leave this week. largely on ac-
count of the condition Of Mrs. McKinley's s
health. but the important character of the
ence here at least until the present crisis
Is passed. At the White House everything
Is in readiness for the Presidents depart
ure, but it Is now believed that he and
Mrs. Mckinley will not get away until the
middle Of next week.
Secretary Wilson was at the White House
today with DR.. e. C. Stubs of the Agri-
cultural Department. DR.. Stubbs has re-
turned from trip to Hawaii, where he
went to investigate agricultural conditions
in the islands. AS a result of his visit 1t
has been decided to establish experiment
stations in the islands.
Thinks Maryland IL Republican.
Representative Mudd Of Maryland, who
talked with the President today about
Maryland politics. says the President Is
confident that Maryland will cast her cleo
toral vote for the republican national ticket
this fall The President is said to be un-
usually sanguine on this subject. He went
over the Maryland situation with Mr..
Mudd, expressing surprise at the extent to
which Senator Wellington had gone in his
opposition to the republican party. He
agrees with Mr. Mudd, however, that the
detection of Senator Wellington will not
affect many votes in Maryland. Mr.. Mudd
says that 100 votes will cover the number
the republicans will lose by Mr.. yelling
tons desertion.
Mr.. Mudd asked the President to appoint
Fred Chunn of ST. Mary's county as an
assistant paymaster in the navy. 1t is ex-
pected that the appointment will be made
at an early date.