Daily new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1897-1906, 1898-12-15

committee OF appropriations continued
its hearings on the army deficiency bill,
General Miles being before the commit
tee for more than an hour, The pend
ing proposition is an amendment sup
ported by several members, providing
for the immediate muster out of $4,000
volunteers. 1t is understood that Sec
rotary Alger and Assistant Secretary
Meiklejohn opposed such provision
and Adiutant General Corbin said in
wow Of the recommendation Of the On
ban military commission it would not
be advisable
General Miles said that he thought
$4,000 men would be enough for Cuba.
He said that the island must in time
and at an early day be policed by ma
tiyes, under American officers. Ameri-
cans could not stand the climate unless
they were immunes. He thought the
standing army should be increased to
$4,000 men, and said at least some of
the volunteers should be continued in
service until the increase was made.
The recommendation of the Cuban
commission, Gems Wade and Butler and
Admiral Sampson, as to the number Of
troops required for Cuba and the places
of station became public when Adju-
tant General Corbin submitted copy
of it to the house military committee,
which made it public with the assent
of General Corbin. 1t is dated Oct 10,
and is chiefly interesting in connection
with General Corbin's staremen. that
it is the basis ON which the war depart
ment has proceeded and is now proceed
ing. Fifty thousand are declared to be
needed.
It might be found that $4,000 men
would not be absolutely requisite
"But we are holding $4,000 men in
readiness to go if required said thu
general. AS to the Philippines. he
went on, General Otis, in command
there, had recommended that $4,000
men were required there. In Porto
Rico the officers in command there rec
ommend that the force now on hand is
about adequate for the requirements
The present force there is $780, That
made 81 900 men, 1000 for Cuba, 25,-
600 for the Philippines and about 6,000
! for Porto Rico, leaving with an army of
100000 about $4,000 for reserves at
home.
cit must be borne in mind" said
| General Corbin, "that an army in time
of peace is like insurance. 1t is a prep.
aration for an emergency. Ii we had
had such an army last June there
would have been no such loss of life as
| occurred. +"
When Mr.. Hay suggested that Gen.
eral Miles estimated 1000 for Porto
Rico while General Corbin proposed g.
| 900, the latter replied
81 would defer entirely to the view of
! the major general in command OF the
army on that point. If he says 1000,
then that is undoubtedly adequate, as
he has been on the ground and knows
the situation there
"What is your personal opinion. with
| out reference to the recommendation of
the Cuban commission. as to the num-
Der of men needed in Cuba?' asked Mr..
Hay
81 would not have an opinion against
such commission, responded the gen.
| eral. The riotous events of the last
few days, he feared, might be the
casting of the shadow of future events.
A volunteer reserve would not an
swer. The national guard afforded an
admirable body of men for ordinary
!! emergencies, but were not best suited
for regular soldiers life.
When members of the committee re-
| ferred to the superior intelligence of
the volunte ers, coming from civil life,
above that OF the regular soldier, Gen
eral Corbin said he considered the lygu-
lar the equal in intelligence to the vol
unteer, owing to the rigid requirements
/ now made. The character and intelli-
gence of the men who went into the
Santiago campaign was second to none
that ever saw service, he declared.
The general was asked if he had re-
| ceived any complaints from the volun-
tsers as to their treatment during the
recent war. He said he was yet to hear
complaint from volunteer soldier.
Such complaints as came were from
outside sources. knowing nothing about
the facts and conditions.
At another point General Corhin said
no exact forecast could be made as to the
4 Philippines, the possibility of trouble.
! etc. Agniualdo was reputed to have an
army Of 10000 men but what that army
would do no one could tell It was too
! large q field Of conjecture to enter upon
ii this ofhand way.
Owing to the opportunities of con-
| gressrnen for the release of volunteers
The Associated Press was requested to
send General Corbin's statement on that
| point. He said: 1.-THE department is
disposed to deal very leniently as to let
ting off men who are needed at home.
In some bases coloneIs have been in
structed TO ree,oe companies to 80 men
| - a. 20 let OF nnen who were urgently
| needed ct home. AIN. even below 80
10 arc making discharges on unsatis.
fxctorv statements thst the presence of
the men are needed at home"
Both Dsfsndsa tho Army.
WAsHrNGToN, Dec. 15.-Rev Father
/ Hn3fvN oh asnlnira of the Sevenkh Illinois