The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-05-24
10000.
The Presidents Next Call For
Volunteers
VIII Ask For More Than the
First Call.
M A NIL A CAMPAIGN
Responsible For the Large Ex.
ira Demand for Men.
VIII Take Month to Get Them
Together.
u ANILA CAMPAIGN

New York, May PA dispatch to
the Tribune from Washington says:
Another call for volunteers is under
serious consideration by the military
authorities. although it may not he is-
sued for at least a week or two. or. at
any rate until the invasion of Cuba has
begun
Ine olfhculties of arming and equip
ping many of the soldiers already mus
tered into service are rapidIy disannear-
ing, and from the experience gained II,
the recent call, army officers are salts
ned that more than a month will be
consumed in mastering an additional
Ioo'o0O men, and that in this time eouip-
ment could be prepared for that num-
ber
The unexpected and extraordinary
drain on the regular and volunteer force
by the Philippine expedition, necessitat-
ing at the outset 5000 men, together
with the prospect that Spain will not be
influenced by European powers to aban-
don her futile struggle, but will wage
war until her resources are exhausted.
is causing the military authorities con-
siderable anxiety regarding the suffi-
cheney of the armed force of the gov
b1lities which have been undertaken
The simple task of freeing Cuba has
been increased, though the necessities
arising in the Philippines and through
the probability of being compelled to
maintain an army of occupation in Gu
ba several years, until the war is begin
ming to assume tremendous dimensions
If Porto Rico is added to the scales
eventually, as the Philippines were, the
magnitude of American responsibility
will be materially increased, and fur.
ther increase of the army will be COM
pulsory.
Many public men are beginning to ex-
press the conviction that the forces of
the United States will be as difficult to-
withdraw from Cuba as those of Eng
land have been from Egypt, although
there is no modification up to this time
of the resolution to make Cuba free
and autonomous republic and not a
mere dependent territorial acquisition.
With regard to the Philippines and
Porto Rico, however, a disposition is al
ready manifested to regard them as
fruits of victory, and in view of the no
toriouS capacity of their inhabitants for
self-goVernment, to take permanent
possession of them and provide them
with complete colonial establishments.
Eventually they may become in part
Self-governing, but the strong arm of
the United States may have to be ex-
erted indefinitely to preserve theirpeace
and prosperity.
a month ago was $4,000 men. 1t has
now been increased to 1875, 500, and of the
latter number 1914, 900 will be actually
under arms and in the field before June
l. OF this increase, by the expansion Of
the regular service through it's organi-
zation under the three battalion forma-
ton, sc, 600 men have been added, the
other portion having been acquired
through the call for volunteers and by
means of the enlistment of two brigades
of immunes and one of engineers 1t is
already the prevailing belief that the
expansion of the regular service, though
contemplated only for the duration of
the war, will be permanent, and that
the standing army will never again fan
below S5 900. The latter number, in the
opinion of Gen. Miles, is essential for
operations in Cuba next summer, al
though most of the invading force will
necessarily be composed of volunteers.
The rapid development of the Cuban
invasion project is given as another IN
dication of the forthcoming necessity
for additional volunteers. In Its incep-
tion a month ago the programme con-
templated a force of only 5000 men to
establish a base of supplies, from which
the Cuban insurgents were to be arm
ed. clothed and fed, and their campaign
against the Spaniards supported as oc-
casion required.
This plan was based on the presump-
ton that reports regarding the insur--
gent strength which had been received
from American consuls and others for
the last two years, were accurate, ana
that the ability of Gen. Gomez to crush
the Spaniards and shut them up in the
coast cities, had not been exaggerated
For nearly two years positive assertions
had been numerous that the Cubans.
with merely theh moral encouragement
of the United States through a recogni-
ton of belligerency, would quickly ac-
compIish their own independence.
Within the last month the falsity OF
these assertions has been demonstrated
to the complete satisfaction Of the au-
thorittes here and through the reports
of regular army officers who have re-
Gently made reconnaissance in the IS
land it Is now definitely known that lit
tie or no assistance from the vaunted
"arrnies of liberation" need be expect
ed.
On the contrary, the latest informa-
ton, which is of undoubted trustWortn-
mess. indicates conclusively that had
no smaller force, as at nrst conteIn-
pIated. been landed in Cuba, the rapid
Concentration of Spanish troops against
If would have caused its speedy retreat
or resulted in its annihilatiOn-
This rapid disillusionment OF those
enthusiasts who predicted SpanlSh
abandonment of Cuba at the nrst eEl-
dence of a threatening attitude on the
mart of the United States, in part, at
least accounts for the precautions and
DELAYS which are now apparent In the
preparations for invasion. The numer-
icaI strength Of the advance guard IS
now placed at nearly 10000, with the
assertion that no movement viii occur
until twice that number are equipped
and ready to respond instantly to any
call for achievements which may De