Jasper County Democrat, Volume 2, Number 12, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 July 1899 — WHAT OTIS HAS DONE [ARTICLE]

WHAT OTIS HAS DONE

DETAILS OF PRESENT SITUATION IN PHILIPPINES, Country Held by Troop* Sixty Miles North and South of Maaila—Grow ins Desire for Peace-Natives Combining to Drive Ont Insurgents. Gen. Qtis, in reply to a cable from the War Department at Washington asking for information regarding situation and conditions in the Philippines, cabled as follows: “Adjutant General, Washington: Rainy season. Little inland campaigning possible in Luzon. We occupy large portion of Tagalog country, lines stretching from Imus south, to San Fernando north, nearly sixty miles, and to eastward into Laguna province. Insurgent armies have suffered great losses and are scattered; only large force held together about 4,000 in Tarlac province and northern Pampanga. Their scattered forces are in bands of fifty to five hundred in other portions Luzon; in Cavite and Batangas provinces could assemble possibly 2,000, though demoralized from recent defeat. Mass of people terrorized by insurgent soldiers, desire peace and American protection; no longer flee on approach of our troops unless forced by insurgents, but gladly welcome them. No recent burning of towns. Population within our lines becoming dense, taking up land cultivation extensively; kept ont of Manila much as possible as city population is becoming too great to be cared for. “Natives southeast of Luzon combining to drive out insurgents; only hope of insurgent leaders is United States aid. They proclaim near overthrow of the present administration, to be followed by their Independence and recognition by United States. This is the influence which enables them to hold out; much contention prevails among them and no civil government remains.

“Trade with ports not in our possession, a former source of insurgent revenue, now interdicted; not certain of wisdom of this policy, as people in those parts are without supply of food and merchants are suffering losses; meditate restoring trade privileges, although insurgents reap benefits. Courts here in successful operation under direction of abie Filipinos. Affairs in other islands comparatively quiet, awaiting results in Luzon. All anxious for trade, and repeated calls for American troops are received. Am giving attention to Joie Archipelago and Palawan Islands. “Our troops have worked to the limit of endurance. Volunteer organizations have been called in and replaced by regulars, who now occupy salient positions. Nebraska, Pennsylvania and Utah now taking transports, and Sixth infantry sent to Negros to relieve California. Those troops are in good physical condition; sickness among troops has increased lately, due mostly to arduous service and climatic influences. Nothing alarming. “Of the 12 per cent of the command reported sick nearly 6 in general hospital, of whom 3 per cent have typhoid and 17 malarial fevers; 25 per cent have intestinal trouble; remaining 55 per cent have various ailments, 14 of which are due to wound injuries. Many officers and men who served in Cuba break under recurrence of Cuban fever, and regular regiments received are inadequately officered. “OTIS.” The inadequacy of the number of officers mentioned in the last part of the cablegram has been remedied by the sailing of the transports Zelandia and Sheridan,