The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-05-17
-Four MONTHS SERVICE
Expected to Take That Time TO
Establish q Peace.
MONTANA'S GOOD LUCK
EaOtsrn Troops ordered to Cuba Envy
nem-Hartman Made q Great
Fight for Bozeman and Great
Falls Cavalry.
Washingtsn Bureau Of the standard, !
No. 1l1S, q Street, ~. w. ,

Washington Bureau Of the Standard
No. 1l1S, q Street, n. W.
Washington, May 12-It is probably
true that the occupation of the Phil
ippine islands. in which the Montana
Infantry is about to participate, will
not be attended with as much relative
danger as the taking of Cuba But the
occupation of Spanish Asia Is highly
important service and the experience
will prove very valuable to the mount
ain state soldiers. The only uncertain
y about the Philippine invasion is the
length of time the Montana boys VIII
have to be absent from home. 1t is
now estimated at the war department
that four months will be the duration
~ the period that the volunteers will
be employed in active service. This
contemplates the ending of the war
In 60 days and the conclusion of the
peace conventions within so days
thereafter. The sentiment in favor OF
the absolute annexation of the Philip
pines Is steadily growing I'm congress,
although IL has not yet been adopted
~ an integral part of the administra-
ton plan. II the treaty that ends the
war carries with IL American acauisi-
tion of these islands then the return
Of the Montana troops to their homes
viii be delayed for a much longer
period and they may spend the better
part of their year of enlistment in the
Philippines.
There is no doubt that life in the
Philippine archipelago will be more
pleasant than In Cuba, even II the seiz-
ure OF the group is attended by less
excitement than the occupation of
Cuba. The troops from the Eastern
states which are now being rushed off
to the Antilles are lamenting that they
mo share the good luck of the boys
from across the Rockies.
II is estimated that the Montana
boys will be a1ost on the Pacific for
nearly a month before they land at
Manila. Many of them will. in fact.
not land at Manila at all. for other i'm
portant points must be occupied. The
second island of the group in size is
Nindanao. but the most important city
after Manila Is uolo, the great sugar
emporium on the comparatively small
island Of Panay. Next in consequence
IL the port OF Cebu on the island OF
the same name. There are also sew
eral good cities on the long snaky
looking island of Palawan. which
stretches for nearly 200 miles along the
Sooloo sea, nearly to the great island
OF Borneo.
~ IL Aiof a
will be the first to leave they will GER
tainly be charged with the occupation
of Manila and points on the Create
Philippine, or Luzon. Ii is therefore
probable that the troops from Montana
will be assigned TO the duty of occupy
ing some OF the other islands of the
group. There are plenty OF them. lit
tie known, which are as big as New
England states.
The Montana boys were In luck to
get ordered TO the Philippines. They
were originally assigned among the re-
serves for duty at n near Washing
ton n nothing but the liveliest hust-
ling on the part of the senators Sc
cured their order of transfer to the
sunny South
Congressman Hartman made a spir-
tied effort TO amend the so-called
immune bill in tn. house so az to
provide for one more independent vol
unteer regiment. His idea was to pro-
vide for the Bozeman and Great Falls
companies in this regiment. In sup
port of his amendment he said: The
provisions OF the bill now pending do
not provide for such IN additional
force as will admit some patriotic cit
liens from my own state and sur
serving their country. They come. IL
is true. from what Mr.. Cleveland saw
1T to denominate the undesirable
states: but they have already offered
a larger percentage of their male pop
ulation han any other state in the
union in defense of the government.
We have three magni1cently equipped
companies of cavalry that have not
yet been able 10 be assigned to a posi-
ton in the defense of this government.
All that have been offered outside of
those three and some two or three vol
unteer companies have been accepted.
My purpose for offering this amend
ment is 10 make IL possible that they
and other similar troops in surround
ing states may have the privilege of
coming IN the rescue of the govern
melt at this particular time. l should
have provided ia this amendment that
the governor should appoint the off,
Gers were IL not for the fact that 7
presumed that a full regiment would
not come from any single state"
The Montana congressman. like 9TH
er members Of the opposition. was un-
successful in his effort 20 secure the
adoption Of any amendment 10 the bill.
His remarks about the g~ubernatorial
privilege of appointment were. how
ever. significant. II IL well known that
he does not agree with the position of