The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-05-21
FORCE TO BE INCREASED

| Washington, May ZU.-MaJOE GelSl al
Wesley Merritt, who is to command the
J expedition to the Philippines, accompanied
! by several members of his staff, reported
| at the war department this morning and
was in consultation with Secretary Alger
| and the regular army officials concerning
! his future work.
| Later in the day he had a talk with the
| president and received Instructions for
| his guidance in the delicate and important
| duties assigned to him.
| General Merritt will leave here, probably
tomorrow. for San Francisco. stopping en-
| route a day or more at Chicago. He is
| yet uncertain as to the precise date on
! which he will sail for the Philippines.
| The general expects that he will have an
ample force of men to establish the mis-
sion on which he is sent. Between 1900
| and II 900 troops he thinks, will be al
| loted him. OF this number he confidently
| hopes there may be approximately 5000
! soldiers of the regular army. who, be-
cause of their thorough discipline and
usage to actual military life. are regarded
as absolutely essential to the successful
completion of the work in hand There
is ample evidence already that the author
I
ritts views. This is shown by the order
issued yesterday which directed the
Eighteenth and Twenty-third regiments
of infantry, now stationed in the south
| to proceed at once to San Francisco.
Mr.. William Howell of New York. who
was private secretary 70 Former Assist
ant Secretaries of the Navy Roosevelt and
McAdoo and later has been connected
with the strategic board, has been ap-
pointed private secretary TO General Mer-
rift and will accompany him to the Phil
ippines.
Washington, May 2o.-The Philippines
expedition occupied a considerable portion
of today's cabinet meeting. General Gree
ley, who is organizing signal service for
the Philippines expedition, was at the
White House about an hour during the
cabinet meeting.
The discussion as TO the Philippines ex-
petition bore on what the United States
would encounter there. The population Of
the islands the fighting force OF the Span
iards in that quarter. and the geographical
phases of the occupation Of the islands
were considered. Statements as TO the
troops which General Merritt's forces VIII
have to cope with were submitted. They
ranged from 5000 to 10000 Spanish soldiers.
but the conclusion reached was that that
number could be successfully counted on
as about 1000
The force already selected to go with
General Merritt was believed TO be more
than adequate 20 cope with thes troops.
who wre thought to be in none the best
condition as TO discipline or equipment.
If the number was found greater. the ad-
ministration would furnish as many men
as would be wanted 20 reinforce those
about 10 start with General Merritt
Chicago. May "a special 10 the Jour
nal from Washington says: The force /
assigned to The Philippines expedition has
been increased by Two regiments Of IN I
fantry from the regular army. Ad1utant
General Corbin last night sent Geographic :
orders 20 the EIghteenth and Twenty-thlrd +.
infantry. now IN camp az New Orleans, 70 .
proceed Ct once 70 San Francisco. They
VIII report 20 the commanding general ~ I
that point and will embark for the Phil .
ippin4s IS soon as supplies and transpor-
tation can be furnished them.
Tampa, Fla. Ny I-C3loneI Babcock
left here last night under orders 70 report
70 Major General Merit; at San Fran
cisco. He VII act As MAJOR general OF 4
the Mama expedition