Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-12-18
Climate Of Philippines Not as Bad
as Represented.
THE GERMANS ACTED QUEERrY.
Aguinaldo n Very Shrewd Indt-
vidunl-His subOrdinates Blood
thirsty--It VIII Take About 10000
Soldiers to Hold the Islands.
folders to Hold the Islands.

NEW YORK, December T.-Major-Gen-
eral Merritt, late commander of the
United States military forces in the
Philippine Islands, from which post he
was called to Paris to consult with the
peace commissioners, reached this city
to-day, on board the steamer Lucanla.
from Queenstown. With General Merritt
were his bride and her mother, Mrs. Nor
man Williams, and Norman Williams, Jr.,
OF Chicago. and Captain j.. II. Strother,
aide-de-camp on the staff of General Mer-
rift.
The General will resume charge of the
military department of the East, which
position he held when he was ordered to
the far East.
1T is some time since left the Philip
pine Islands," said the General, land all
that / can say about the situation there
is contained in reports which l made TO
the government and the Peace Commits
sion. / can. however add that there is
no foundation for the report that Admiral
Dewey's health has broken down as
result OF his wonderful work in Manila
harbor on May 1st last. He was in fine
physical condition when / left him, and
he was then over the strain Of the laval
fight.
CLIMATE NOT so BAD.
There is another thing that l would like
like the people TO know. 1t is that the
climate of the Philippines is not by any
ka1 a.. ig Ia 4
a number of Europeans there, who had
been in the country fourteen years or
more, and they seemed to thrive, snd
had no serious complaint about the eli;
mate to make The mortality among cur
troops sent to preserve order there would
not be as great as some would have TIE
people believe.
''The Germans acted in queer sort OF
way when l got there first. They were
kind of meddlesome I'm matters which L
think they should have let alone The
German officers there made me no official
calls until Manila had fallen. and then
their visit was not what might be term
ed friendly. There was no serious clash,
and 1 am glad OF IL. The volunteers be-
haved nobly during the fight we had.
They are good soldiers.
INCREASE OF ARMY.
''As to General Miles's bill TO increase
the United States army 10 10000, al pres
ent | cannot discuss the proposed mea-
sure. for the reason that l have not yet
seen copy of 1t. I think it will take
about S0.0OO soldiers to hold the islands
in case this country desires TO keep
them, and / see no reason why 1t should
not. | have no comment TO make on the
so-called expansion, which is being dis
cussed pro and con these days There are
many Spaniards on the islands that want
to remain there. With 1900 United States
soldiers and the remaining 1900 evenly
divided between the Filipinos and Span
iards, / feel sure the islands could be
governed properly and with credit to this
country.
AGUINALDO.
'T did not meet Aguinaldo, but I am
satisfied he is a very shrewd man. | did
not recognize the insurgents, fearing
Admiral Dewey. after my
arrival pursued the same course. What
was said or done before my arrival /
cannot state. l did not recognize Agu-
naldo. nor his troops. nor use them In any
way L had been there ten days before
Aguinaldo asked to see me, and then l
was too busy.
Talking with leading Filpinos I told
them the United States had no promises
to make. but that they might be assured
the government and the people OF this
country would treat them fairly"
Conversing with American officers, Agui-
naldos subordinate leaders frequently
said that they intended to cut the throats
Of all the Spaniards in Manila.