The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-08-13

10 AASHINGTON. Aug. i2-Secre-
tary Root Is generally credited
"x with being very desirous Of
raising the entire provisional
army in order that there may
be additional troops ready to
send to the Philippines In case they are
needed. His idea IL that II Is better to be
too we'll. than too poorly. prepared; and.
also. that In case Of necessity. 1t would be
a hard thing to obtain from congress addi-
tional troops when the provisional army
already authorized had not been placed in
thu field. It is now clearly realized at the
department that. however easy Il may be
to raise volunteer troops with their own
officers. taking them as full battalions or
regiments from the militia, OF the states, Il
II not so easv to recruit ten new regiments
Adj;. Gen. Corhin confidently declared that
these men would be enlisted by the 18th OF
July, but nearly a month moro than that
has elapsed. and still over 4 thousand men
are needed. The number of the daily en-
iistments has fallen of rapidly during the
last two or three weeks. and a calculation
based upon the diminished rate shows that
1t would take several years TO enlist the
remaining ?l,000 OF the provisional army.
which IT, has no; yet been determined to
place in tho field
Secretary Root realizes from the reports
which have been placed before him that
many OF the men now in the Philippines
have been so reduced In physical strength
by the incessant strain OF hostiiities and
by the climate, that they will have TO be
brought back TO this country The plan
troops upon garrison duty In this country
ana In the Wes, Indies and replace them
In the Philippines by the regulars who have
not seen service there
Gen. Miles VIII Not Go.
The report that Gen. Miles asked to be
sent to the Philippines 10 take charge OF
the campaign this fall. although frequent
ly repeated in certain journals OF the East.
Is wholly without foundation. What the
general has desired and what he will prob
ably obtain through the administration os
Elihu Root as secretary OF war is the rec
ignition OF his position as commanding
general OF the army with headquarters at
Washington. AS all the world knows Sec
retary Aigcr, after Gen. Miles return 1rom
Porto Rico. utterly ignored the general.
and whenever he wanted any information
sought IL from Adit Gen. Corb!n. Since
,ha, tine ali orders relating to the move
Ynent OF troops. the detail OF officers. the
granting OF leaves OF absence. assignments
to special duty ana the like, have bees. Is
saed by the adtu.ant general direct, with
ou. the knowledge and approval OF the
commanding general. who only knew Of
their issuance when served with the usual
FOR general Information 10 all chiefs of d.
visions and bureaus. THE consequence o:
this anomalous coalition was ;ha. toe
commanding general was practically .r.
nored and converted into a mere asare-
head. TIE sdiusant Eenerai became de rac.o
the head q the army. and was called into
consultation hy the president ana secre-
sary when military affairs and army
movements were TO ee considered
One of the arst official acts OF secrs
,ary Rect was 10 call uyoa Gen Miles 10
the iaster's Office. taking with aim Adj,.
Gen Cersln. The three remained together
fer loag tine conferring upon the meth
o5s az administration ans! the relations oe
she commanding general to the business o.
tire department II = now well under
sescd THAI hereafter all business relating
TO the management es the army viii Re re-
stored 10 tae regular csaane!s." which
means tia. the commanding gsnerai Will
See and pass upon al! matters pertaining
20 the service before they are submitted
te :se secretary ard the president. ard
al orders ~.l ee issued through the u...es
Of that osssc1Al.
TYruG Lieut. Gar H Pree$on. ok TIA