The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-07-18
MILES ADVICE.
He and Dewey Consider 5000 Men SUM
cient for Manila.

Washington, July 17-This statement
was prepared at the army headquar-
ters to-day and given out for publica-
tion:
There has been some discussion in
the press recently relating to an al
legged difference of opinion regarding
the number of troops to be sent to the
Philippine islands in the first instance.
Immediately upon receiving the
news through the press dispatches of
Dewey's victory at Manila, General
Miles recommended the dispatch of a
military force to the Philippines. The
following is his letter:
- Headquarters of the Army, Wash
ington, d. c., May 3, 1S9S.-The Hon
Secretary of War: Dear Sir-I have the
honor to recommend that General
Thomas NJ. Anderson be sent TO occupy
the Philippine islands in command of
the following troops:
Two battalons 18th infantry; two
troops 4th cavalry: one regiment of in
fantry, California volunteers; two bat
teries heavy artillery, California yolun-
teers; one regiment Of infantry, Oregon
volunteers; one regiment of infantry.
Washington volunteers. The troops to
go with all the necessary appliances,
supplies and equipment. Very respect
fully, NELSON A. MILES,
g Major General Commanding, U. S. A.
proximately, 5000 men, and the recon-
mendation was approved by the presi-
dent, as follows:
Executive Mansion, Washington, D.
c., May 4. 1s9S.-The troops designated
by General Miles, If approved by the
secretary of war should be assembled
at San Francisco, Cal. for service as
may be ordered hereafter.
WILLIAM MKINLEY'
I'D to this time no COmmunira tiOn
had been received from Admiral Dewey
his first dispatch, dated May /, not
reaching Washington until the 7th.
Then, later, the following dispatch was
received from him:
Hong Kong, May Is, 1S9S-Cavite,
May 13.-Secretary of the Navy, Wash
ington, D. c.. l am maintaining strict
blockade of Manila by sea and believe
Spaniards are hemmed in by land. al
though they are inactive and making
no demonstrations. Great scarcity of
provisions in the city. l believe the
Spanish governor general Will be
Obliged to surrender soon. l can take
Manila at any moment.
ITO retain possession and thus con-
troll Philippines would require. in my
best judgement, a well-equipped force
of 5000 men, although United States
troops sent by Pekin will be very useful
10 relieve the Olympia of guarding Ca
VIE tHlltu
provision for extremely hot, moist eli
mate. Spanish force is estimated at
10000 men. The rebels are reported
80. 900 men. DEWEY
ION May 16, 1898. after seeing the
above dispatch from Admiral Dewey,
General Miles made the following rec
ommendation:
Washington, May 16 189S.-The Hon
orable Secretary of War-Sir: l have
the honor to submit the following: In
order to make the United States force
as strong and effective as possible with
a view to its maintaining our possess
sions and our flag on the Philippine ISL
ands and at the same time relieve our
navy as speedily as possible. / suggest
that the command sent there consist of
the 18th and 18th United States infan-
try, two squadrons of the 4th cavalry
one battery of heavy artillery from the
eth and two batteries of light artillery
from the 9TH, and in addition, 12,975
volunteers from California, Colorado,
Kansas. Montana, Nebraska, Oregon,