The Saint Paul globe., 1898-08-16
Washington Pureau st. Paul Globe, !
CorcoYan Building.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 15.-(Special.)-
War is vexatious, but peace is not
without trials. Among the many prob
lens that are at present worrying the
chief executive of the nation, and his
chosen advisers there is none that can
compare in Importance with the ques-
Jion of what shall be done with the
army. Not that it would be at all diff
cult to muster out all the troops that
are now in the service, but there Is
need for many soldiers TO garrison the
territory acquired by war, and the
most perplexing problem that now con-
fronts the president is what shall be
the peace footing of the army from
a numerical standpoint. It Is said that
the cabinet has already given much
time to the discussion Of this feature
of the psace programme, and without
result. 1t is admitted that the ques-
ton is a serious one, and all agree that
1t cannot safely be disposed Of in a
hurry.
ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND MEN.
One of the best-postod of the attaches
CT the war department is authority
for the statement that it has been
practically agreed that at least 100000
men will be retained in service for an
indefinite period, and there are those
who say that this estimate Is too
modast-that the figures should be
made at least double that number
that it is possible, if not probable, that
there will be kept in the Philippines,
Porto Rico and Cuba alone at least
that many troops, and that there will
be needed for other service, perhaps
as many more-at least for many
months. But the more conservative
element pin their faith to the 100000
mark. They argue that to retain
greater number would result In harsh
criticism of the government, because
the American idea is adverse to large
standing armies in time of peace, de-
spite the Willingness to provide mil
lion men If needed in time Of war.
DISPOSITION OF TROOPS.
There are now in Porto Rico about
$4,000 men. Gen. Merritt's forces in
the Philippines will foot up 5000 more.
That makes 81 900 troops now garrison
ing the Philippines and Porto Rico. 1t
is conceded that there may be required
In Cuba, for a time at least, about
10000 men-perhaps not so many, but
no mere, SO that the total fails to reach
the 100000 mark. The query: What
is to be done with the other 9,000?"
Is already being propounded. That Is
why those who are best-posted predict
that the standing army will be not
more than 100000 and less than that
once the treaty of peace Is signed.
There are no serious Indian or other
interior troubles requiring the presence
of armed forces, and an army of 100000
men is considered ample for all the
purposes of the government.
PRESIDENT IS CAUTIOUS
1t is an open secret that the presi-
dent is taking advice from the most
eminent citizens of the nation on the
question of what shall be done with
tho army? He does not propose to
make any mistakes If he can avoid
them. 1t is even suggested that the
meeting of representative manufactur-
ers and business men, to be held in
Chicago during the present month, is
inspired by friends of the administra-
tion who are deSirouS of securing a
public expression of opinion from all
sections of the country on the various
Questions of the army, the disposition
OF the Philippines question, future gov
ernment of Cuba and Porto Rico, and
the terms of the treaty Of peace to
be signed with Spain, as bearing upon
American trade in ports controlled by
the Spaniards.
NAVAL DEVELOPMENT.
1t seems to be conceded on all hands
that the American navy will be In
creased, as rapidly as possible, until
st ranks with the first-class powers Of
the world. There may be no need of
attempting to equal Great Britain in
the number Of warships built, but it is
said that in what will seem an in