Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-12-22
As TO VOLUNTEERS.
A Debate In the Senate on Muster.
ing Them Out.
IRE URGENT DEFICIENCY BILL.
1t Passed the Senste After = spirited Dls-
cussion-Ths Hoase Passed ih- Psmalon
Appro rist on Nil without
Word Of Criticism.

w"rd Of Criticism.
Washington, Dec. 6-The urgent
deficiency appropriation bill making
provision for the army and navy for
the next six months displaced the
Nicaragua canal bill in the senate yes.
terday, preventing even tine taking Of
a vote on the question Of postpone.
ment until after the holidays, as had
been intended. The deficiency bill
was passed, after a spirited discussion
turning principally on the point OF
kee ping the volunteer soldiers in the
service.
Senator Cockrell, of Missouri, ad-
dressed the senate in regard to the
mastering out Of the soldiers, q large
majority of whom, he said, wanted to
be mustered out, and many Of whom
were making sacrifices by remaining
in the service. On the other hand,
the officers, who were finding the serv-
ice more profitable than the privates,
had in many cases refused to forward
applications for discharge. He thought
that in such cases the war department
should exercise some discretion in
the interest of the privates and be
more lenient with the enlisted e
He said very few soldiers would be
required in Cuba and Porto Rico,
or, for that matter, in the Philip.
pines, where, he said, our foot.
ing was very insecure. He said
this country's occupation there vas
most meager and described our atti.
tude as that Of standing with mi foot
on the land and the other on the bay,
and that there vas no probability of
war in that direction. 1--WE have no
war to make on the Filipinos,' he
said, land can make no attempt to
.subjugate them unless congress first
makes a declaration of war, which it
is not likely to do" The Spaniards,
Senator Cockrell said, would soon be
out of Cuba and as the object Of the
war was to get the Spaniards out OF
that island, there was no longer any
reason for maintaining a large force
under arms. The Cubans were per.
capable of maintaining a repub-
Iican form of government and should
have the right to do SC.
Replying, Senator Hale said he had
no doubt that the rank and file of the
army abroad had a great desire to re.
home, and he expressed the
opinion that they should be allowed
to do so. He argued that there was
no menace OF war unless 1t was with
the Filipinos and the danger there
was in Il attacking them. 1t was
true that the duty devolved upon the
government of the United States of
maintaining peace and quiet in Cuba
'or the present until the Cuoans could
a government Of their own.
lie hoped this would not be long.
In response to questions from Sem
ltor Allen, Senator Hale express the
that affairs would soon take
,uch shape that the service of the vol.
lnteers could be dispensed with. He
that within the next six
80, 900 or so, 900 soldiers could
,e mustered out. but this was a matter
which should be left largely to the ad-
n%inistration. He understood that it
vas the intention to keep about 30, 900
men in the Philippines.
Senator Allison expressed sympathy
With the desire to have a large num-
'er OF volunteers mustered out, but it
aust not be forgotten that, under the
aw, the necessity existed for the i'm.
lediate reduction of the regular army
rom s., 900 to 2 |, 1000. He called atten-
ion to the Importance of q sufficient
to maintain our coast fortiica-
ions, saving that Gen. Miles had ex-
ressed the opinion that from l4.O0) to
5000 men would be necessary for this
urpose. In view Of these and other
acts, he considered it wise to follow
he wishes of the president and the
Military authorities in this matter.
The urgent deficiency bill was then
assed.
At the instance of Senator Harris
senate adopted a resolution calling
pom the president for confirmation as
, the status OF the report of the Mica.
igua commission. The senate then
'ent into executive session and, at
o5 p. m, adjourned until Monday.
'ENsIoN APPROPRIATION BILL PASSED.
Washington, Dec. 6.-The house
.esterday surpassed all previous rec.
-ds in the expedition with which 1t
assed the pension appropriation bill.
his bill in days gone by has been one
the most fruitful themes OF acrimo.
lous partisan debate, but yesterday,
Though carrying "a, 900, 900 more than
he act for the current year, It was
in 20 minutes, without a word
criticism.
Mr.. Barney, Of Wisconsin. in charge
the pension appropriation bill, called
up and made a general explanatory
atement of its provisions.
Mr.. Allen, of Mississippi, Of the ap.
committee, in reply to
r. Barney, called attention to the
.ct that when he first came to con-
-ess, IA years ago, the pension appro-
bill invariably precipitated a
tier discussion. He congratulated
10 country that congress had pro- |