West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1898-12-15
GENERAL NILES AND SECRETARY
OF MAR ALGER STILL FIGHTING
EACH OTHER.
Senator West Says We Cannot Adopt
the European Colonial System.
Senator Perkins. or California.knows
all About tho Philippines But
Know No Good OF Them.
corre.pondenee OF rle Argus.

as Mr.. McKinley's message was
about the policy of the administers
ton towards the territory acquired
from Spain, but, young as the
session Is. II thing has been made
plain. That is, that the admins
tration and the leading Republic
cans in Congress have combined
for the purpose Of preventing an
early extra session of the next
Congress, IL IL can possibly be done.
Tho word has been passed. around
that all OF the regular appropriation
bills must be passed AS sosn
as possible, aad that no bill likely
to provoke extended debate will be
pushed by the leaders.
~
Gen. Miles recommendations
for the reorganization Of the regu-
lar army, based upon the suppesi.
tlon that the strength of the army
will be increased to loo, 900 men,
Ia accordance with the recommen-
dations made by Mr.. Mckinley aud
the Secretary of War, contains
much that Ia calculated to arouse
Antagonism Ia Congress. For in.
stance. the proposal to create three
new officers, a General and two
Lieutenant Generals. Such posi-
lions have been created by Con-
gress in the past, but it vas done
TO honor particular officers and the
grade was only esta ulished tenn DO.
rarily. The proposition of Gen.
Miles, il adopted, would establish
them permanently and would put
mes into them who have earned
no special distinction, and there
would then be no rank to be con-
ferred upon officers who may bore
after greatly distinguish them
selves. Ii There is any such officer in
the war with Spain, his achieve
mehts have not become known to
the public. The claim of friends
of General Miles that he was
thwarted in every direction aud
prevented from displaying his
military ability by Secretary Alger,
is doubtless true, but that certainly
furnishes no good reason for pro-
noting Miles to be General.
-
The status Of Gen. Miles with
the administration is fully shown
by the fact that the bills for the
reorganization Of the army which
have been introduced in the Senate
by Senator Hawley, Chairman of
the Senate Military Committee,
and in tho House, by representa-
tive Hull, Of the House Military
Committee, ignore the recommen.
dations of Gen. Miles, except as to
increasing the army to 100, 900
men. Mr.. Hull says the recon.
msndations of Miles are good. but
that Congress would not pass a bill
containing them, on account of the
opposition to creating so many high
grade officers.
-
Representative Hay, of Va,
tried to get a peep into the adj
mi%uistration's hand, by ASKING
unanimous consent for the con-
sideration Of a resolution request
ing the Secretary Of War to inform
the House what towns in the
islands Of Cuba, Porto Rico, and
the Philippines will require 10 be
g%arrisoned by soldiers Of the U. s.,
and how many soldiers will be re-
CURED, but there Was immediate
objection OF the Republican side.
and the resolution went to the
committee OIL Military Affairs, to
be pigson-holed
FT
Although Senator Vest did not
submit bis resolution, declaring
that under the Constitution this
government cannot adopt the
European colonial system, but that
all territory acquired must be- gov
erned with the purpose Of ultimate
~ organizing such territory into
States for admission to the Unios,
to any number to bis Democratic
colleagues before Offering it, and
giving notice Of his intention to de-
liver "A speech in its favor at an
early day, it's underlying principle
is endorsed by many Democratic
Senators. Already she Republi-
cans are saying that Senator Vest
,.tII uaF h. .Il....I - - -