The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1901-11-03
NEW PHILIPPINE SITUATION.

The insurreeticn in the islani Of Sa-
mar places a new aspect on the entire
Philippine situation. 1t IS clear now
that the troubles in the islands are not
so nearly ended as was supposed The
two recent battles. and the other hos-
tile movements u the Insurgents which
have been reported from that quarter.
indicate that there are still chances Of
rather serious fighting on that and one
or two Of the other Islands, Admiral
Rogers dispatch to the navy depart
n,ent reports that there IS an active IN
surrecsion in Saurar. Both the naval
and the military commanders in the
Philippines are taking the measures
which are demanded by the new de-
v5lo2ments. Rogers reports that
body OF marines has gone to the Dis
turbed district. and that nearly all
the naval forces are concentrated on
the Samar patrole-" This shows real
king sense Of the new situation IN the
Philippines which promises work Of an
effective character on the part Of the
Americans in the. very near future.
True. General Chaffee. according 70
reports, has said that he does not look
for any heavy battles in Samar. Some
fighting is evidently expected from the
numbers o. soldiers and marines which
have been sent there in the past week
or twl. The intention Of the authori-
ties Is TO clean our all the insurgents
and those suspected Of being In sym
patty with them from the island Of
samar. Those in arms will be either
killed or captured. The navy viii CO.
operate, by occupying posts along the
coast. and BY paJroiing the waters
around il. so as 10 prevent she rebels
from escaping 20 any of the Other 81
ands. as 1t IS expected that many Of
them will attempt to do. The
h0s.l,es in samar are believed bv
the military authorities on the isl .
ands 20 be largely composed 5f refugees .
from soma Of the other sections Of the .
archipelago. including Luzon, who .
moved to samar when they began 10 /
find their original quarters too h7t for .
them. An active campaign is TO b. un-
der.aken at once in samar. 50 as to .
make a general roundup of all the in
surgents in that section. Just at pres
ent samar Is the center Of disturbance
in the archipelago. ani the intention
is to make a clean sweep Of the island
by the soldiers, aided by tn navy
Adju,ani- General Corblns recent re-
port recommended a reduction Of the
military forces in the Philippines. It
was the expectation of President Nc
Kinley that the reduction u the mill
tary in the Islands which had been ef-
fected in the early par, Of 1901 would
be followed month hence by a fur
ther dimlnution in the number Of sol
diers in that quarter. The change
which has come in the situation in the +.
Islands, however. in the past few weeks
win compel an immediate alteration Of
this programme. 1t may turn out to .
be necessary 10 increase the force on
the islands instead Of to diminish 1t
further. The work Of the Taft commits !
sion will be kept up, Of course, but 1t
is clear to the country now that the
area Of that b)iy's activity will be
much smaller for a few months more at
least, than wa expected. TIE military .
arm VIII be c0mpeIlel 20 keep IN the
front Of affairs over large par, Of the
archipelago Rebellion must b prompt
ly crushed in all Of the Islands. The
new situation in the Philippines will
compel an alteration in the plans Of the
military chisftalns in Manila as well as
in those Of the administration al Wash
ing;on, but both Washington and Ma
Mia will have to adjust themselves to
the change in th= condiuJns.-Globs-
Democrat.