Evening star., 1899-07-17

through press dispatches, of Deweys vic
tory at Manila, General Miles recommend
ed the dispatch of military force to the
Philippine Islands. The following is his
letter:
Headquarters of the Army,
WASHINGTON, D. c., May 3, 1898.
THE Honorable Secretary of War:
Sir: l have the honor to recommend that
General Thomas NJ. Anderson be sent to
occupy the Philippine Islands, in command
of the following troops: Two battaions 14th
Infantry, two troops 4th Cavalry, one regi-
ment of infantry, California Volunteers;
two batteries heavy artillery, California
volunteers: one regiment of infantry, Ore
gon volunteers; one regiment of infantry,
Washington volunteers; the troops to go
with all the necessary appliances, supplies
and equipment. Very respectfully,
NELSON A. MILES,
Major General Commanding L. S. Army"
The force above designated was approXi-
mately, 1000 men; and the recommendation
was approved by the President, as follows:
Executive Mansion,
'WASHINGTON, May 1. 1898.
THE troops designated by General Miles,
if approved by the Secretary of War, should
be assembled at San Francisco, Cal, for
such service as may be ordered hereafter.
"W. Mex"
Up to this time no communication had
been received from Admiral Dewey his
Washington until May I. Later the follow
ing dispatch was received from him:
HONG KONG, May II, 1898.
Cavte May 13)
Secretary of the Navy. Washington:
l am maintaining strict block
ade of Manila by sea, and believe rebels
are hemming in by land, although 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. To retain posses
sion and thus control Philippine Islands
would require. in my best judgment, we'll
equipped force of 5000 men. although Uni
ted States troops sent by Pekin will he very
useful to relieve the Olympia of guarding
Cavite United States troops should make
provision for extremely hot, moist climate.
Spanish force is estimated 10000 men, The
rebels are reported 10000 men.
DEWEY"
Gen. Miles Recomm ndation.
On May 16, 1898, after seeing the above
dispatch from Admiral Dewey, General
Miles made the following recommended
tions:
Headquarters of the Army,
WASHINGTON, May 16, 1898.
1.-THE Honorable. the Secretary of War:
Sir: | have the honor to submit the fol-
lowing: In order to make the United States
force as strong and effective possible
with view to its maintaining our posses
sion and our flag the Philippine Is
lands, and at the same time relieve our
navy as speedily as possible, | suggest that
the command sent there consist Of the 18th
and 10Th United States Infantry,two squad
rons 4th Cavalry, one battery of heavy
tillery from the 7th, and two batteries of
light artillery from the 7th, and in addi-
ton, 129IJ volunteers from California,
Colorado, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska,
Oregon, Utah, Washington, North Dakota,
South Dakota, Idaho, Wyoming, Minneso-
ia, already designated. L also recommend
that two 12-inch guns two 1O-inch guns,
with disappearing carriages, and eight NOR
tars, to be dismounted, also two S-inch
guns, now at Benica barracks-all to be
placed on board ships at San Francisco and
sent to Manila, there to be mounted as
speedily as possible for the defense of that
harbor, and used together with any rapid
fire guns that can be spared from the fleet
now at that place. When this is accom-
plished, the fleet can be released for more
important service; The guns and mortars
referred to should be replaced as soon as
possible by others sent to San Francisco
from the gun foundries and arsenals on the
Atlantic coast. Very respectfully yours,
"NELSON A MILES
Major General Commanding"
The troops designated in the above com
munication numbered 15,i25 men, which
was over 10000 more than Admiral Dewey
had asked for; but notwithstanding this it
was General Miles opinion that, in view of
the admiraPs statement that the Spanish
force was estimated at 10, 600 men, it would
be advisable for us to have preponderat-
ing force.
In the meantime General Merritt had
been selected to command the expedition
for the Philippines and in letter to the
President, dated May IL, 1898, he submitted
an estimate of troops necessary to consti-
tute such an expedition, comprising IA 400
men, of which number 5000 were regulars
On May 10 he supplemented this by an esti-
mate for a siege battery and a small ord
nance detachment.
Gen. Merritt's Opinion.
General Miles had not seen General Mer-
ritts estimate when he wrote the letter of
May 16, given above. This letter was re-
ferred to General Merritt for remark, and
was received back with the following in
dorSement.
Headquarters Department of the East
Governors Island, May II, 1895
Respectfully returned to the adjutant
general of the army
81 consider the composition of the force
outlined by the major general commanding
the army as unsuted to the ends to be ac-
complished, and insufficient in efficiency for
the expedition to the Philippines
Two regiments of regular infantry two
thirds of a regiment of regular cavalry and
two light batteries are a very small proper
ton of the forty-tWo regular regiments in
the army when the work to be done con-
sists of conquering a territory 1000 miles
from our base defended by regularly
trained and acclimated army of from 10 900
to 25,0G0 men, and inhabited by 14,O0O, 900
of people the majority of whom will regard
us with the intense hatred born of race
and religion.
Besides, if 1 am not greatly mistaken,
the suggested command is only on paper
as the 14th Infantry is only partially avail
able. My letters of May 13 and IL give
the composition and minimum strength of
the regular force L deem necessary
"W. MERRITT
"Major General, Commanding
1t was then referred to General Miles for
further remark, and was indorsed by him
as follows:
Headquarters of the Army
Washington, d. c., May Is, 1895
Respectfully submitted to the Secretary
of War
The reference to the Spanish troops is
believed to be very much exaggerated. No
reports have been received thus far that
there is anything like the number indi-
Gated in the above Endorsement, while the
population of that territory is probably
nearer one-half the number stated The
number of troops already ordered to the
fiiiiippine Islands is three times as many
as Admiral Dewey called for The force
ordered at this time is not expected to car