The San Francisco call., 1899-06-19

NM ueHt MChlnleN now KNOWS tnat
Wy Major General Otis greatly un-
derestimated the task that WIS
before him when he said he would need
hut 10000 troops to put down the Philip
pine insurgents He also knows from
interviews with Governors and militia
officers Of various States and from let
ters which he has been receiving from
all over the country that he will have
the support of the country if he de
Cides to use the power given him by
Congress and send enough men to the
Philippines to make resistance 10y
Aguinaldo futile and bring the war TO
an end at once.
one of the most influential members
Of the Cabinet said to-day that dis
patches published this morning showed
the country was ready to support the
President with all the troops he might
need
1t is the intention of the President.
said he. Ito use every means in his
power to put down the rebellion in the
Philippines as promptly as possible.
Just before the President went away
this subject was frequently discussed
at the Cabinet meeting. and there was
no conflict of opinion as to the best
policy to he pursued in the Philippines.
The President is determined 10 restore
peace and order throughout the islands
II II takes ten times as many troops as
we now have there. Up to the present
time there has not been a word or sug-
gestion from General Otis and ranking
officers of his command indicating the
force there is sufficient. The President
stands ready to call for as many Volun-
teers as may he necessary To subdue the
FNipinos. and there is every reason TO
believe he can secure without delay all
the volunteers he may call for. This is
the true situation as far as the admin
istratfon is concerned. and ii is unfair
and unjust to charge the President with
want of aEgressiveness in dealing with
this subject
Continuing the Cabinet officer said:
You may say that the slightest inti-
nation from General Otis that he
wants more troops in addition TO those
he now has with him and those WHO
ere TO be sent TO him under the recent
order will be followed by a prompt call
for volunteers There viii be no further
narleving with Aguinaldo and his lol-
lowers. and no let up in the aggressive
campaign which General Otis is con
ducting.'
Thus far the President has hesitated
70 use the power conferred upon him by
Congress to enlist 5000 volunteers. for
the reason that he fears such a course
would subject him to criticism from
those who see a menace to free institu-
tions in every additional man enlisted
IN the army. and who would attribute
10 him fmperialistic motives if he
should increase the effective lighting
force If the country to 600 men.
There can be no reason for the Presi-
dent to persist in his error longer. Re-
cent events have shown that General
Otis has made a serious mistake in es-
tImating the strength and endurance of
Aguinaldo's forces. and with few eX-
ceptions the officers of the army on
duty in Washington are OF the opinlGh
II would be a serious blunder for the
administration to delay giving General
otis substantial reinforcements just as
rapidly as the men can be sent out on
transports.
II would be a part of wisdom Tor the
President to act promptly in calling tor
more troops and sending General OTIS
enough men to bring matters IN the
Philippines 10 conclusion III le"
weeks by administering 10 the lnsuf-
ean+e ?. succession of crushing defeats.
Should he fail to do so he will be crit
cized in Congress for having embarked
IN the Philippine war without any defl-
mite policy and for having carried 1t on
with a. force so inadequate as to lead
to the sacrifice of men and money When
Congress had given him power TO sehd
ont A sufficient force to have closed II
up I'm a much shorter time. He VIII De
accused Of purposely delaying settle
nent Of the Philippine situation so as
70 keep it out of the hands of Congress
and perpetuate the military government
Of the islands.
Advocates If an energetic policy nope
tho President will not delay longer, but
viii take measures at once to raise the
necessary troops.