Jasper County Democrat, Volume 2, Number 29, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 October 1899 — WAR WILL BE ACTIVE. [ARTICLE]

WAR WILL BE ACTIVE.

Campaign in the Philippines to Open !■ oon on All Lines. Secretary Root hopes the campaign in the Philippines may be opened all along the line within the next three or four weeks. Although there have been some military operations recently, he says the campaign is not fairly on yet. Gen. Lawton has been sent north to occupy San Isidro because of its strategic importance, but this is only preliminary to the regular campaign. Secretary Root has been informed that the rainy season is about over, but the country is still suffering from its saturation. There are many inundations, and the soil generally b so soft as to make military movements exceedingly difficult. Army officers vary from three to six weeks in their estimates of the length of time it will take for the country to dry sufficiently for the American forces to move with reasonable facility. The plans of the War Department are matured for active work as soon as it is possible to advance with ease and the American lines will be pushed in all directions against the Filipinos. It will be possible to maintain this movement, because of the steady stream of volunteers to he poured into Manila as re-enforce-ments. Much attention has been given to making provisions for the sick and wounded. The present hospitals have accommodations for about 2,000 patients, and Col. Woodhull reports only 1,847 beds occupied by patients, including convalescents. The War Department is making arrangements to have accommodations for 8,000 patients, which is believed to be more than ample even for the enlarged army in an active campaign.