Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-06-07
WEDNESDAY. JUNE 7, 1885,
PHILIPPINES WAR COST.

While Il has not been possible as yet
10 get from the Treasury Department
or the finance bureaus of the War De-
partment an itemized account separating
the expenses of our war with Spain from
those resulting from events growing out
OF that war, the Washington correspon-
dent Of the Springfield OIass) Republic
can is enabled to present figures which
place it beyond question that Mr.. Nc
Kinley's policy of benevolent assimila-
ton" is costing this country between
100000 and 100000 per month. AS we
follow the calculations and exhibit in
the Republicans letter, it would ap-
pear that the latter is nearer the cor
rect cost than the former, but the CORES
pondent, rather than overstate the case,
takes the minimum figure. Hence, at
the most conservative estimate the Phil
ippines war is costing US at the rate
of S36,OO0,0O0 per annum, or the equivalent
of interest at per cent on 100000, 600
In other words. as the correspondent puts
it, the cost Of the policy Of destiny"
as interpreted by Mr.. Mckinley, is al
budget of the government upon the en-
tire national debt incurred in the civil
war and in putting an end to Spanish
sovereignty IN the West Indies, which will
amount during the next fiscal year, ac-
cording to the annual report of Secretary
Gage, to $iO,4OOOOO.
Considered in connection with the rob-
Der pension account of the civil war,
Republican raiding Of the Treasury in
other directions. and the prospect of a
big Spanish war pension roll, this Is start
ling to contemplate. But after all,
it is only a suggestion OF the burden
duty and destiny" save the mark,
thraten TO put upon us. The calculation
Of the Republicans correspondent is on
tho basis of maintaining in the Philip
pines an army of only $4,000. It is
calculation on the basis Of the number Of
men now composing our army oe occupa-
tion. and which, 1t is clear, Mr.. MeHin-
ley and his satellites TO the contrary,
notwithstanding, is totally inadequate to
the pac!ncauon. or, rather, subjugation
of the islands. AS opposed to the assu-
RANGES of MIR. Mckinley and his imperi-
alistic ring, backed by inspired dispatches
from Manila that $1,000 men, at the out
SIDE will be sufficient to accomplish
benevolent assimilation" by the process
OF criminal aggression" we have esti-
mates OF army and navy officers VINO
have studied the conditions in the Philip
pines on the ground, and which tell an
entirely different story. General Iawton.
ono OF the best of our fighters In ths Phil
tDpines, says 1t vii! take 100000 troops
10 conquer and hold the islands.
Captain Clay, who has just returned
from the war. says that from $1,000 to
10000 men viii be necessary for the
work. General King. who has been
invaded home. doesn't come down 20
figures, but says II large force will be
required 20 end the war. Admiral Dewey
has been quoted, without contradiction
as expressing the view that IL win take
an army of 10000 men 10 bring the ma
tives 10 terms, and officers OF the Raleigh
were free in declaring that Dewey's est
mate was 5000 too small. Nor is this
all. The consensus of opinion of those
who deal with the situation honestly
and they are sustained by our experience.
SO far--is, that no matter what the size
OF the army we may finally place in
the Philippines, 1t will be long way TO
peace If, therefore, we take merely the
equation OF the estimates of troops that
viii be necessary for Filipino subjuga-
ton, simple mathematical calculation
upon the lines of that of the Republi-
cans correspondent gives us a stagger-
ing prospect.
But there is more still to reckon with
In dwelling upon the beauties of impe-
ralism. TO the monetary cost we must
add the cost in blood and suffering Since
we began our mission" Oh the islands
the losses "a our army have been as
follows: Killed, 23i; died Of wounds, GO;
died Of disease, 3SS fetal deaths, $685.
4 Wounded. 1851; captured and missing, IS
Grand total, 2.Ol0 Now, discounting most
literally all prophecies as TO the
length Of the war. we may yet look for
this list 10 be immensely Increased.
Verify. II would seem about time that
the American people were asking. ard
asking In ominous tones. Whittier are
We drlftlnx2
-. ,- .--.---
Ard nov comes a GerJoan who pro-
poses TO ts,osi the Isrhmus OF yarams