The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-08-30
ARMY OFFICERS ACTIVE.
WAR D!PIRTHENT ENCOURAGED BIZ
M'KIN Nays SPEECH.

Enthusiaam Over the Prospect OF Putting
Down AGuinaIdo mt Once-Belief that q
Force of Natives Can he Recruited to
Help In the Philippine Campaign.
WASHINGTON Aug. 20 President McKinleys
speech to the Tenth PENNSYLVANIA Volunteers
ut Pittsburg Yesterday WAS the principal topic
OF discussion at the War Department to-day
and the enthusiasm displayed Ly army officers
over the announcement that the United States
would not withdraw from the contest until tho
instruction had been suppressed was an
indication OF the foolng which prevails in oil
branches OF the military service concerning
tho mpagn in ihe Philippines While at one
time great many army officers showed little
interest in the struggle, there has re-
Gently been an enti!e change OF sentiment.
and the officers OF the various stan depart
ments are working with renewed vigor and as
much enthusiasm as II they were on the bat
tle-ground and not more than 10000 miles
away. The War Department Is a hustlinR
place these days. Every ofllcer on duty there
has plenty to do. and it is an encouraging sign
to the higher authorities that all OF them are
performing their work with will and with the
knowledge that on their efforts largely de-
ponds tho success OF the coming aggressive
campaign.
The feeling OF Indifference felt at tho time
when officers thought that Gen. Otis would
not have larger army than 30 600 men and
that that number was entirely too small. has
given way 10 n con idoncc that the instruction
will be suppressed before the beginning OF the
next rainy season.
Another source Of encouragement to tho
military authorities was the information
cabled by Gen. Otis Yesterday. that one OF the
chiefs OF the Sultan OF Joio had. without assist
ance from United STATES troops. defeated the
nsurgent force at ZamboanGa and cap
tured that important town. 1t is be-
leved at the War Department that
enough OF tho natives OF the Philippines
are loyal to the United States. to assure the
formation OF good sized force OF native troops.
Already there is sentiment In military circles
in favor OF organizing native force from the
islands other than Luzon 1t Is the opinion OF
several officers that these troops could be
raised and used against the Aguinaldo insur-
gents without violation OF the Army Reor-
RaniZation law. which provides for a regular
establishment Of 80. COO men and q volunteer
army Of 5000 men.
The enlisted force of the United States Army.
regular and volunteer. Will be within less than
1000 men OF the limit Of enlistments fixed by
| Congress. 100000. when The regiments author
lied have been recruited. To army officers
| the remarks OF the President at Pittsburg yes
| terday meant that il 100000 men we're not
| sufficient to Suppress the in3urrection he
would ask Tor an additional force that would
| be large enough for all requirements.
Adjt. den. Corbin expressed the general
sentiment prevailing at the War Department
when he said to-day that tho suppression OF
| the rebellion had now become n question OF
national honor and the United States must
establish peace In the islands before It could
| give consideration to any OF the important
questions which involve American possess
| sion