The times., 1898-12-16
URGENT DEFICIENCY BILL
Opposition to Army Clause in
the Senate.
DISCHARGE OF VOLUNTEERS
Government Should Not Hold SOL
tiers Since Peace Has Been De-
clared-Senator COckrcii's Views
Soldiers in the isiOn
for More Regulars - The Bill
Passed.

The discussion in the Senate yesterday,
pursuant TO the passage OF the urgent de-
icIency bill, In regard TO the discharge of
the volunteer soldiers and the reoIganiza-
tion OF the regular army, was the first
public indication of the opposition which
will be made TO the Administrators plans
in regard TO the latter measure. and 1t be-
came evident to senators who favor the
reorganization Of the regular army on
the basis of 1Oo,0co men that II their plans
succeeded II would be only after a de-
termined effort on their part.
Senator CockreI opened the discussion
in a lengthy speech, setting forth reasons
why the volunteer soldiers should be i'm
mediately discharged. He maintained that
1t was an act of bad faith on the part of
the Government to hold these soldiers,
who had enlisted TO fight the Spaniards,
after peace was declared, and said that
when the treaty was ratified there could
be no possible excuse for holding them
longer.
Senator Hale replied to Senator Cock
rells remarks briefly, saying that he SYM
pathized with the views of the senator,
and added that in his opinion il would be
n wise thing for the Administration 10
muster out the volunteer army in very
few months. He stated that there were at
present 1o,o2o troops in Cuba, Goo in Porto
Rico and about q. coo in the Philippines.
The evacuation board in Cuba. he said.
had recommended that it would be nee
essary 10 send 5000 troops to that island
as soon as the Spanish troops had de-
parted.
Senator Chandler wanted TO know, in
view OF the fact that their enlistment
had been for the period of the war, if it
was not incumbent on the President 10
discharge the volunteer troops as soon rs
he could. Senator Hale replied that he
looked at il in that way.
Senator Chandler then added that there
was then no use in this discussion. THE
thing to do" he continued, lis to seek
the easiest way, which is very near at
hand, and certainly l am glad that the
committee had sufficient confidence in
The President as not TO interfere with his
duty in this respect
Senator German took issue with Senator
Chandler in his position in the matter
and said that in view of the declaration
in the Presidents last message in which
he stated that he should take no steps 10
muster out the volunteer army until some
provision had been made for the enlarge
ment of the regular army he believed 1t
vas the duty of Congress to place some
provision in the present bill to make a
reduction in the ranks of the volunteer
army of 25,00O men within the next three
months and 25,000 more before the first
OF July next.
Il believe that Congress should exercise
an independent judgment from the Ad-
ministration, when IL comes to the en-
ployment Of large military forces" he
declared earnestly. THAT the Anglo
Saxon will permit himself here or wher-
ever he may be, 10 stand still and mark
time, not having an objective point for
advancement, and all that goes to make
up nation, including its commerce. /
do not believe. We must have coaIing
stations and outposts TO supply not only
our navy, but our great commerce that
VIII increase and grow as the years 90
ny. We must have all of the facilities
that are necessary to enable Americans
10 take their share of the worlds COM
merce."
senator German said that whatever
coaflnS stations and territory il was rec
essary for US TO hold temporarily. for he