The times., 1898-05-18
MERR|TT's BOnBsHELL
Trouble in the Departments
Over His Interview.
HE WILL GET MORE Troops
The General TeieEraphs to Secre-
tary AIger That He Did Not Au-
thorixe the Interview, End the In
cident Is Said to Be CIosed-Eor
the Assignment of Troops.

Gen. Merritt was the most talked of
man at the War Department yesterday.
His name was on the lips of every officer
! and employe in the many bureaus of the
Z department as the result of the state
| ment published in the morning papers and
| attributed to Gen. Merritt. to the effect
| that dle would refuse to lead the Philip
! pine expedition unless given an adequate
| force of seasoned soldiers.
/ Many of the military men of the de-
partment admitted that they were inclin-
ed to believe that Gen. Merritt would ask
for about 5000 or 1000 additional regulars
for the reason that they themselves
| would be in sympathy with such an in
sistence upon general military principles
as directly applicable TO the present case.
Few. If any, however gave any credence
! to the statement that the sensational in
terview was authorized by Gen. Merritt.
Secretary Alger said with reference to
the published statement:
Il am inclined to doubt its genuineness.
II Gen Merritt said anything at all,
| which 1 also doubt, it was certainly mis-
construed and misrepresented." Assistant
Secretary Meikeljohn, Gen. Miles. and
| Adjt Gen Corbin, besides doubling that
such an interview was authorized. were
reticent when interviewed on the subject.
Gen. Merritt Denies 1t.
| Late in the afternoon all minds were set
at ease by the receipt of a telegram from
Gen. Merritt himself characterlzing the
statements attributed TO him as incor-
rect and not authorized. The telegram
was received at 2:55 o'clock. and is as
follows:
| Governors Island New York.
Hon. Russell A. Alger, War Department, Wash
| ington. D. c.:
| lished in the New York papers this morning ar,
in every way incorrect and unauthorized.
| had intended to take no notice OF them, but
understand the articles are taken seriously II
! Washington. w. MERRITT.
Ought 10 Have More Men.
| The incident is now regarded as closed
One of the salutary results of the publ
cation. Notwithstanding the fact that Il
has been denied, will be the enlargement
of the expedition to the Philippines.
| An aide-de-camp of Gen. Miles who re-
fused to believe that Gen. Merritt said
he would not go to the Philippines said
however. that it was not impossible thai
he might have said that he would like tc
lead a larger expedition.
| The aide in question said In part: II
would be quite natural for Gen. Merritt
to ask for more men and that he may no
think that 1900 men are a sufficient
force He undoubtedly ought to be giver
more men and he viii probably ge
them.'
1t is stated authoritatively that tbs
| War Department viii try to find some
| means whereby an efficient force Of about
| 1900 regulars viii be sent with the voiun
| teers.
| This was probably agreed upon as tht
| result of the visit of Col. r. p. Hughes
| inspector general of the Department OF
| the East. at the War Department yester
| day.
| Col. Hughes called on a mission from
| Gen Merritt in connection with the as
| signment Of additional regulars with Gen
| Merritt's expedition to the Philippines
| Gen. Merritt's desire viii probably b'
| needed, as 1t is now realized that ht
may have a difficult task to perform
| in pacifying the islands. Should the de
| partment send such small force tina
| the expedition would prove a failure. i
| would then be too late to send re-en
| forcements or account Of the great dis
| lance between this country and Manila
| which would certainly prove disastrous
| With the Army officers all favoring thu
| sending of a larger expedition. the Ad
| ministration will not be likely to boldl!
| refuse to accept their good advice.
The Advance Guard.
| The advance guard of about 1900 mel
| will leave tomorrow or Friday. Th'
| troops will take passage on the CITY
| of Pekin. The second part of the eX
| pedition will leave several days after
| ward, on board the Ohio. Conemaugh