The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-05-24

New York, May pa dispatch to
the Tribune from Washington says:
Another call for volunteers is under Sc
rious consideration by the military au-
thorities, although it may not be issued
for at least a week or two, or at any
rate until the invasion of Cuba has
been begun and the necessity for addi-
tional troops is clearly demonstrated
The difficulty of arming and equipping
the army of soldiers already mustered
into service is rapidly disappearing,
and from the experience gained in the
recent call. army officers are satisfied
that more than a month will be con-
sumed in mastering an additional $4,000
men, and that in this time equipments
could be prepared for that number. The
unexpected and extraordinary drain on
the regular and volunteer force by the
Philippine expedition, necessitating at
the outset 1900 men, together with
the prospect that Spain will not be in
nuenced 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
eminent for carrying out the response
blIltles 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 coInpe4Ieu %
maintain an army of occupation in
CuDa several years, until the war is
beginning 10 assume tremendous di-
mansions.
If Porto Rico is added TO the scales
eventually, as the Philippines were, the
magnitude of American responsibility
VIII be materially increased and furth-
er Increase of the army made COM
pulsory.
Many public men are beginning to
express the conviction that the forces
OF the United States will be as difficult
10 withdraw from Cuba as those of
England have been from Egypt. al
though there is no modification up to
TINS time OF the resolution to make
Cuba free and autonomous republic
ana not a mere dependent territorial
acquisition. With regard to the Phil
lpplnes and Porto Rico, however, a
disposition is already manifested TO
regard them as fruits of victory, and in
view of the notorious incapacity of
their inhabitants for government.
to take permanent possession of them
and provide them with complete CO.
lonial establishments. Eventually they
may become in part self-goVerning but
the strong arm of the United States
may have to be exerted Indefinitely to
preserve their peace and prosperity
The authorized strength of the army
q month ago was $4,000 men. 1t has
now been increased TO 199. 800 and of
the latter number 1000 will be actual
~ under arms and in the field before
June l. OF this increase, by the ex-
pansion OF the regular service, by it's
presentation under the three battal-
ion formation. IS 900 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 en-
gineers- 1t is already the prevailing
belief that the expansion of the regular
service, although contemplated for the
duration of the war. Will be permanent
and that the standing army Will never
again fall below $1,000. The later num-
Der in the opinion of General Miles, is
essential for operations in Cuba next
summer. although most of the invading
force viii 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-
ton a month ago, the programme con-
templated force of only 1000 men to
establish a base Of supplies, from which
the Cuban Insurgents were to be armed. /
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 and
that the ability of General Gomez TO
crush the Spaniards and shut them up |
in the coast cities had not been exag- /
gerated. Fer nearly two years posi- !
tive assertions had been numerous that /
the Cubans wanted merely the moral |
encouragement of the United States \
through a recognition of belligerency;
that this would quickly accomplish i
their own independence. Within the last ]
month the falsity of these assertions ,
has been demonstrated to the com |
plete satisfaction of the authorities |
here and through the reports of regular |
army officers who have recently made !
reconnaissance in the islands it is now 1
definitely known that little or no as /
sistance from the Wanted armies of /
liberty" should be expected. On the /
contrary, the latest T. formation which |
is CT undoubted trustwurthiness. indi- |
Gates conclusively that had so small a |
force as at first contemplated been
landed in Cuba, the rapid concentra-
ton of Spanish troops would have
caused its speedy retreat or resulted in
its humiliation.