The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1898-08-04
MORETROOPSNEEDED
MANY NOW IN EASTERN CAMPS MAY
HAVE CHANCE TOGO

Gen. Merriam Notified That Gen. Merritt
Has Asked for "A Large Increase in His
Command-Fourth Manila Expedition
Arrives Safely at Honolulu.
Washington, d. c., Aug. 3.-Although
the war department officials will not
admit that they have any information
of reinforcing further General Mer-
ritts forces at Cavite, there Is reason
to believe that some of the troops now
in eastern camps who desire to see
active service will soon find the oppor-
tunity unless the government shall
change it's present plans with respect
to the Philippines.
1t Is believed to be necessary even IL
our claim Is limited to the claims stat
ed in the conditions submitted to Spain.
namely. to the military occupation and
government of tlqe territory on the
shores of the bay of Manila to furnish
to General Merritt q larger force than
he has now at his command.
1t is realized that 10000 soldiers can
scarcely be expected to maintain United
States possessions and protect the in
habitants over a territory of this ex-
tent, for 1t must be remembered that
the bay of Manila is twenty-five miles
deep from the entrance at Corridor is
land to the city of Manila at its head.
1t will also be necessary to possess
protection extending some distance
back to the bay in order to make sure
of the preservation of the water works.
OF course a considerable force would
not be necessary If the insurgents un-
der Aguinaldo could be taught to real
ize their interests lie in the permitting
of United States possession Of the ter
ritory.
But the natives would not keep the
rich loot to be had in Manila without
an adequate force to protect the place.
Then with the growing heat and damp
ness it Is to be expected that Illness
will develop among the troops; not to
the extent that 1t appeared at Santiago.
but sufficient to require some of the
men to be invalided home and their
places to be taken by fresh troops from
the United States. At present the
large majority of General Merritts
force is composed of troops drawn
from the Pacific coast or far western
states.
San Francisco, Cal. Aug. Sin reply
Merritt, now at Cavite, General Merri-
am yesterday cabled that since the de-
parture of the governor general of the
Philippines five transports with 1887
men had sailed from this port.
Scarcely had the message been sent
before General Merriam received word
from the war department that Gener
al Merritt had asked to have his COM
nj iycr on O00 n IN 0(l1
troops in order to be able to meet any
emergency which may arise on account
of the hostile attitude of AGuinaldo and
the insurgent forces.
Fourth Expedition at Honolulu.
San Francisco. Cal, Aug. 1.-The
steamer Doric, which arrived last eve
ming, brought news of the arrival at
Honolulu of the fourth Manila expedi-
tion. The Dorc left Honolulu last
Monday. The transports arrived there
the day before with all on board well
and on Monday the boys In blue were
ashore and were given a royal recep-
tion and a grand feast.
The fourth expedition left here July
Is and reached Honolulu without mis-
hap to either of the vessels. Great
preparations are being made at the Is
lands for a grand celebration on the
arrival of the annexation commission
ers and the raising Of the Stars and
Stripes.
The recruits of the First Colorado,
Second Oregon and First Nebraska. by
order of Brigadier General King, have
been added to the command of Lieu
tenant Colonel Barnett. making. with
the recruits Of the Tenth Pennsylva-
MIA, force of 10000 men. This action
was taken in order to mobilize the
scattered Camp Merritt forces.