The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-12-16
SENATORS WITH SOLDIERS.
MEN WHO ARE NEEDED AT HOME
SHOULD BE MUSTERED OUT.

Urgent Deficiency Din Brings ON
Debate Upon the Army-Few SOL
dicrs Required in Cubn or Porto
Rico-Mr. Hale Thinks 10000 Sol
dierS Can lie Mustered out within
the Next six MOnths-Omcers Want
Their jobs.
Washington, Dec. 15.-The urgent de-
hclency appropriation bin making provis-
ions for the army and navy for the next
six months, displaced the Nicaragua
canal bill in the Senate to-day, preventing
even the taking of vote on the question
OF postponemeut until after the holidays,
as had been intended.
The deficiency bin was passed after a
spirited discussion, turning principally on
the point of keeping the volunteer soldiers
in the service
Mr. Cocl1reH addressed the Senate in re-
gard TO the mastering out of the volun-
teer soldiers, calling attention to the pro-
vision in the deficiency bill bearing upon
this point. He said that a large major
ity of the volunteers wanted to be muster
ed out, and that many of them were max
ing sacrifices by remaining in the service.
! On the other hand, the officers who were
finding the service more profitable than
the prlvates. had, in many cases, refused
to forward applications for discharge.
Now that Il was manifest that the war
was over, and there was nothing left for
the soldiers to do but to perform police
| duty, he hoped that the department would
be more lenient with the enlisted men.
Mr.. Cockren said very few soldiers
would be required in Cuba and Porto Rico,
or for that matter in the Philippines,
where he said, our footing was very inse-
| cure
We have no war to make on the Phil
ippines," he said, "and can make no at
! tempt to subjugate them unless Congress
first makes a declaration of war which it
| is not likely to do. Until that Is done,
there can be no effort 10 subjugate those
people who are living in peace in their
own country, and there can therefore, be
no excuse for the United States maintain
ing a large standing army in those ISL
ands."
When MIR. Cockrel concluded, the SEN
ate took recess until $3.50 p. m. In order
TO permit senators to attend the funeral
of Mrs. Bright, wife of the sergeant-at-
arms of the Senate.
After the recess, Mr.. Hale, replying TO
Mr.. Cockrell, said he had no doubt that
the rank and file of the army abroad had
a great desire to return home, and he ex-
pressed the opinion that they should be al
lowed to do So He argued that there
was no menace of war unless It was with
the Filpinos, and the only danger there
was in our attacking them 1t was true
that the duty devolved upon the govern
ment Of the United States of maintaining
| peace and quiet IN Cuba for the present,
until the Cubens could establish a gov
eminent of their own. He hoped this
would not be long.
In response to questions from Mr.. Al
len, Mr.. Hale expressed the opinion that
the services of the volunteers could be
dispensed with He thought that within
the next six months, $1,000 or 60,O00 sol
diers could be mustered out But this
was a matter which should be left largely
to the administration. He understood 1t
was the intention 10 keep about 10000 In
the Philippines
amendment to the bill which would pro-
vide in explicit terms for the reduction of
the army to from 1000 to $1,000 men by
July / next, but, owing to the representa-
tions of the army authorities, he would
reserve his amendment until the army
| bill should come before the senate. In
this connection, he paid a high tribute to
Adjutant General corbin, and then pro-
ceeded to warn the country
against the encroachments of the
military element. Naturally the army
officer wanted to preserve his
own Importance and maintain his en-
ployment, he said, but this was no reason
why the private citizen should not zeal
ously guard his own rights.
Mr.. German conceded that some in
crease Of the army would be necessary,
but he did not want to encourage the
idea that he should keep a sufficient num-
Der Of men under arms to hold In sub
jugation outlying countries with whose
people we have no common ties. lie
thought coaling stations necessary for the
extension of our trade, but announced
himself as opposed to undue expansion
by means of conquest.
Mr.. Allison, Mr.. Money and Mr.. sewell
spoke on the subject, after which the bill
was passed.
At the instance of Mr.. Harris, the SEN
ate adopted a resolution calling upon tho
President for information as to the status
Of the report Of the Nicaragua commits
sion. The Senate then went into execu-
tive session, and at 5:0S p. m. adjourned
until Monday.