New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-17
GEN. MERRITT MAY NOT CO..
THINKS THE PHILIPPINE EXPEDITION
SHOULD BE A BIO FORCE.

THE GENERAL WANTS FIVE REGIMENTS
OF REGULAR TROOPS IN ADDITION TO
FOURTEEN OF VOLUNTEERS
Major General Wesley Merritt may not go to
the Philippine Islands in command Of the troops
to be sent to the assistance OF Rear-Admiral
Dewey and to take charge OF the territory
when In American possession as military Gov
ernor This may be positively stated on ne less
authority than his own uttcranccs yesterday
afternoon. Ever since his return from Washing
ton whittier he was summoned last week for
conference before the announcement was made
that he was to command the Manila expedition,
General Merritt has been busiy arranging for
his departure and settling the details Of the ex-
pedition. He desired not to undertake so i'm
portant an enterprise without an entirely ade-
Quate forte at his command for the work to be
done At his suggestion 1t was decided 10 send
II 900 troops 10 drive out the Spanards at Ma
Mia and the forces have been centrlng at san
Francisco for this purpose as rapidly as posi-
BILE. The plans were for the first detachment 10
go yesterday on the cruiser Charleston. but the
mon were not read. The city Of Pekng was 70
follow with a larger force by the middle OF the
week and overtake the Charleston at Honolulu
but it is doubtful whether the men can be in
readiness as soon rs the vessel The troops are
not supplied with uniforms. arms or subsistence
supplies. and It will probably take several days
to equip them fully
When seen by a reporter for The Tribune in
his Office on Governors Island yesterday after
noon. General Merritt gave the first intimation
OF the possibility OF his not assuming the new
duties laid upon him.
Il may not go to the Philippines at all. said
he. and II do l certainly shall want to have
adequate force at my command see that
It is proposed to give ire l5.vJV men, only i"oo
Of them Regulars. ard the rest volunteers, ana
those from the Northwest. who have had httlr
opportunity for training and discipline. | have
asked the Department for at least four thousand
more Regular troops. for believe that they VIII
be required. There VIII be opportunity 10
train the volunteer forces before they start or
after they get 10 Manila l want enough dis
ciplined troops so that the whole body Will be as
effective possible"
Are you going TO Washington to see about
this matter?' asked
TO CONSULT WASHINGTON.
mo. but am sending an officer. who will 90
tonight. | had a consultation to-day with Dr.
Bourns Of Atlanta. who is familiar with the
Philippines and came on to me. and he and
Colonel Hughes will 60 70 Washington together
The only way | could get more Regular troops
would be to take them from tho Army now In
Florida for Cuban invasion. But feel that
this expedition should have an entirely ade-
quatc force and at least five regiments of reg
ular troops The Department promises to send
on more men. but history and experience show
that in such expeditions all depends upon the
force first sent"
"Is General Otis 70 with the frs; detach-
ment OF troops"
He left Denver Yesterday and must be we'll
on his way 10 san Francisco. but DO not know
when he will start How can the Charleston
start II there are no men ready? He may be
willing TO go on without four more regiments OF
Regular troops and take only 100 trained men
with 1900 undlscipllncd ones. but think this
is not enough"
Then, General there In nothing settled about
your successor. ~ your gons Is uncertain?'
Nothing as yet shall stay right here n
DO not go to the Philippines / don't expect
anything will be done In that matter until It is
certain what to have for the purposes Of
the expedition"
Have you decided anything about the mat
ter Of camps for the troops to be turned over to
the General commanding the Department OF the
East"
II have left that matter entirely TO my aid.
Lieutenant Hale. who visited number OF the
proposed sites MY own lleA is 10 nave TWO
camps say one at Sea Girt and the other Mt
Hempstead or on toward Boston. In regard to
Montauk Point, that has been suggested from
Washington but do not think that II Is fitted
for a camp. There Is water there. and the
facilities for moving troops and supplies are
insufficient. IT seems 10 me"
ARMY OFFICERS INTERESTED
The Army officers who were asked I'm regard
10 the possibility Of General Merritt not going
10 Manila expressed great surprise at the infor-
nation one Of them said significantly that
something might be said about IT In few days.
DR. Frank s. Bourns. Of Atlanta, who
summoned TO Washington and sent on 10 see
General Merritt, spent several years in the Phil
ippne Islands General Merritt announced
his determination not 10 go without ade-
quate force Of Regular troops after his consul
tation with Dr. Bourns.
In regard TO the report that Spain would send
a large force to rescue the Philippines. Army
officer said yesterday that without doubt this
was what Spain would like TO do. but she would
land them at Manila. II would be worth great
deal TO Spain to have these rich islands remain
In her possession, but she could not leave the
coast Of Spain unguarded in order to get her
troops over there by the time American forces
could reach Admiral Dewey. Her only recourse