The Columbus journal., 1898-05-18
MERRITT SAYS NO.
Refuses to Go to Philippine
Islands.
SAYS FORCE Is INADEQUATE.
Asks For Four Thousand More
Regular Troops.
DISCIPLINED MEN ARE NEEDED.
oe,sral Merritt Wants Enough Regular
rreops to Mako His Force Effective.
s.ys There WIZ Bs No Oppertu.-
ity to Train Volunteers Before
They start For Manila.
DISCIPLINED MEN ARE NEEDED.


says: Major General Wesley Merritt
may not 20 to the Philippine islands in
command of the troops to be sent to
the assistance of Rear Admiral Dewey
and TO take charge of the territory
when in American possession. as mill
tary governor. Ever since his return
from Washington. whittier he was
summoned last week for conference,
before the announcement was made
that he was to command the Manila ex-
pedition, General Merritt has been
busily arranging for his departure.
In an interview last night. General
Merritt said: Il may not 60 to the
Philippines at all. 1t is proposed to
give me 1900 men. only 1000 of them
regulars and the rest volunteers, and
those from the northwest, who have
had little opportunity for training and
discipline. 1 have asked the depart.
ment for at least 4.O0O more regular
troops, for I believe that they will be
REQUIRED. There will be no opportu-
nifty to train tho volunteer forces before
they start or after they get to Manila.
I want enough disciplined troops SO
that the whole body will be a. effective
as possible"
"Are you going to Washington to see
about this matter?"
mo, but I am sending an officer. l
had q conversation with DR.. Bourns OF
Atlanta, who is familiar with the
Philippines, and came on to see me,
and he and Colonel Hughes will 60 to
Washington together. The only way ]
could get more regular troops would be
to take them from the army now in
Florida for Cuban invasion. But feel
that do not want to 60 on this expedi'
ton unless I have an entirely adequate
force and at least five regiments OF
regular troops. The department has
promised to send ON more men, but his
tory and experience show that in such
expeditions all depends on the first
force sent"
sHow can the Charleston start Il
there are no men ready? General
Otis may be willing to go on without
five regiments of regular troops and
take only 100 trained men with Il, ,OO(
undisciplined ones, but I am not. dc
not propose to 90 without q force that
is suitable to my rank. shall stay
right here if I do not 90 to the Philip
pines. don't expect anything will bt
done in the matter until it is certain
what am to have for the purpose o.
the expedition"
MORE SOLDIERS ARE NEEDED.
| Next Call For volunseers Will Re Fol
One Hundrsd thousand.
WASHINGTON, May 17.-"There vii
unquestionably be q second call fo1
volunteers and equipment says a vel
known Republican senator, who hold
intimate personal relations with Secre
tary of War Alger. ITO properly holt
the Philippine islands, he continued
I'VE shall find from s0,OOp to 5000
none too many. To clean up matter
in Cuba in q quick manner, we shal
need not far from 100000. With tn
regulars and volunteers already in tn
field. we find ourselves short about Is,
OOO men. understand that the presi
dent is considering call of ]OO. 900 I'd
ditional volunteers. also understan,
that the secretary Of war and Genera
Miles agree with the president that tn
call is q timely one."
II To Drop Strategy Board.
CHICAGO, May IA special from
Washington says: Within a week tn
naval war board Of strategy will be
reminiscence except as to the name
Captain Baker Of the board has beel
ordered to command the Newark, ,whiol
goes into commission next Saturday
His departure will mark the breakin
ND of the naval board Of strategy. Tn
Newark, by the.way, will become tn
flagship Of tho blockading squadron.
win be the plan Of the secretary of th
navy after this week to leave more {
tho discretion Of the officers in com
mand, reserving to himself and his de
partment advisers the right to counci
> and veto anything which may be, i
i. their judgment, entirely an error.
Reserve Iloee Almost Ready.