The age-herald., 1898-09-11
CURRENT TOPICS
 OF THE DAY

If was announced from the war depart- ment ten days ago that the First and Sec ond Alabama regiments were to be mus tered out. These regiments have been or dered to Birmingham. They will probably arrive here next week and go into camp, at which time the officers and men expect orders from the war department that the regiments shall be furloughed for thirty days and then reassemble for the purpose of being mustered out.
 I have very serious doubts of these regi- ments being mustered out. They may be needed in the service of the government and if they are needed the government will certainly hold them during the two years for which they enlisted. It Is an- nounced from Washington that It may be necessary to send 30, GOO additional troops to the Philippines alone, and that these troops will probably have to be sent at once. If the Philippine insurgents are as trouble some to this government as they were to the Spanish government it may be neces- sary to send 5O,O0O or 6O,000 troops to Ma nila. At least 25,Oo0 troops will be neces- sary on the island of Cuba. A few thou sand must be retained at Porto Rico and it is necessary to keep at least 25,O00 troops as a standing army in this country.
 Both the president and the state depart ment are apprehensive as to the outcome in the Philippines. There is grave danger of complications with Germany and perhaps with other nations In the far east. While these matters are pending I learn from re- liable authority that the president thinks it best to maintain a large army thoroughly organized in this country for use in the event it becomes necessary. Thus while great pressure is being brought to bear upon the war department to muster out all volunteer regiments, and while a few weeks ago the department decided to do so, there has been a change. The president himself thinks it best to keep the entire army as it is today for, at least several months to come. I am, therefore, of the opinion that the Alabama boys are in danger of being sorely disappointed.
 I see the commission sent to Hawaii to establish a form of government, has decid- ed to establish over that island the usual territorial government. This is well. The Americans of Hawaii had expected it to be made into state and for months past ex- GTGSlueHt DOle ndS DeSu HSuliii6 uPoi pC- coming a United States senator. This he cannot be, at least for the present. Under the territorial form of government Hawaii will have but one representative in Wash ington--a delegate in the house of repre- sentatives. The delegate will have no vote but simply the privileges of the floor and the right to speak on any question pre- scented.
 Before Hawaii is admitted as state, it must demonstrate it's right to such admis- sion by virtue of population and education, then it can only be admitted by special act of congress. Such admission is not likely to occur in many years.
 Although the white population of Hawaii is only about per cent. of the total popu- lation, the whites, by virtue of intelligence and energy, have ruled the island for sev- eral years past. They are principally Americans, but there are some English and quite a large number of Germans. Next to the native Hawaiians the Japanese and Chinese predominate in population.
 I was in Washington the other day, where I met quite a number of newspaper corre- spondents who were in Cuba with General Shafters army during the war. Every one of them spoke in the most enthusiastic and glowing terms of the ability of General Joe Wheeler as a fighter. MT. Stanhope Sans, of the New York Times who was with General Wheeler on the first and sec ond of July, says but for General Wheel CTS dash and determination he believes our army would have been repulsed. Wheeler load ba md in ba front ranks of the firing line. He insisted upon continuing to advance when nearly every other officer advised a retreat. Wheeler's determination to push forward saved the United States army and caused the equalization of Santiago. But for his acts MT. Sans thinks that it would have taken many months and many thousands of additional troops to have taken San tiago
 I saw Congressman Joe Bailey, of Texas, in Washington. He is again candidate for the democratic nomination for speaker The fight will be between him and Con gressman James D. Richardson, of Tennes- see. It will be the fight of two years ago over again. The democratic nominati for speaker may only mean what it meant two years ago-the leadership of the demo- cratic side of the house. That is, the lead ership in name, for since Crisp's day the democratic members of the house have fol- lowed no leader.
 The fight between Bailey and Richard son will be close one. Bailey has made enemies, while Richardson has made friends Bailey is a man of much ability, but is somewhat given to egotism, while Richardson is thoroughly democratic and likewise a man of ability. As a parlia- mentarian he has no superior in the house.
 D. W. B.