The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-07-01
bMINlSTRATION VIEWS.
It Postmaster General Smith Thinks OIL
the Situation.
MANY TRIALS OF THE PRESIDENT
Getting Together the Army Gives
Him n Theme on which He
Talks at Length.

New York, June 30.--A special to the
brld from Washington states that in re-
bnse to a request for an Interview on
Philippine situation Postmaster Cen
IN Charles Emory Smith said; THE
|2iation in the Philippines is the most
portant and absorbing public question
at present. l am well aware that
b in some quarters no little impatiencc.
ere is a notion that the administration
3uld have been more energetic and, when
k& Filipinos prolonged their warfare
juld have called for and sent forward
Ire troops. But those who make TINS
icism do not know that the administra-
has recruited nearly 2000 men week
hit along since congress adjourned on
lrch 4. They do not known that with
ese recruits and with the re-enlistment
ID force of nearly 10000 men has been
&tured within that time. They don't
How that the army bill, which passed on
arch 2, practically compelled the reor-
I6nization of new army nearly fourth
IL large as that which was raised for the
bbanish war. They don't know that under
Ia law authorizing the creation OF the
|yny for the Spanish war all of the reeh-
rs above $4,000, as well as all of the vol
|nteers, has to be mustered out at the
MITIGATION of the peace treaty, and that
Mile the new army bill provides for a
brte of $1,000 men, the whole number
Hove $4,000 had to be raised afresn.
Mon the ratification of peace With Spain
w m
|truct the army up to the maximum num-
bsr of regulars permitted viz, $1,000 men.
|Ie BEGAN that work Immediately About
D.N0O men have now been added to the
|oxce and of the recruits fully 10 per cent
kefe in the service of the Spanish war.
hts fact signifies two things: First,
has those who served had no terrorS from
F@t they had gone through and were
6tdy to serve again; second, that the
|1tce thus recruited was Injured to the SER
|{ee and able to stand its hardships.
|f Besides no married man is taken. The
Iighest physical standard is enforced. No
Pefson applying with any physical defects
|rJweakness is accepted. In this way the
largest efficiency is obtained. 1t might
lave been possible to have called for vol
lnteers, to have had rush to have put
hem into camp, to have had the hurry and
|he possibilities of mistakes which came
Nth the full sharp action at the beginning
fgthe Spanish war, but even If this had
been done troops could not have actually
Ieen sent to the Philippines faster than
hey have been and they would not have
been so effective.
|$'Within the past two weeks 5000 men
1--WE arrived there or are on their way.
|ud before, the close of the rainy season
Here will be $4,000 regulars or more at
|he disposal of General Otis, and with
|his force he will certainly be able to
|ope with the situation General Otis has
Managed affairs in the Philippines with
Hill and judgment. He has never indicat-
a. belief that he needed more than 3d.
100 effective troops.
[%There Is no trouble in the Philippines
|utside of the Island of Luzon. Aggres-
I've fighting is now restricted for about
|hfee months because of the rainy season.
tut as soon as aggressive operations can
nj resumed short work will be made of the
|pnfirt.
ErWithout Understanding the Difficult
Hes 1t may be accepted that our govern
hent will be equal to the demands of the
|ipation. 1t may also be accepted that If
ms additional force should prove to be re-
luired there would be no hesitation in
Eeing 1t.
|"The Filipinos are not our enemies.
pne tribe alone out of the many is in re-
Folf.
|3What should be done in the Philippines
Ehen this single tribe is subdued is a
lQestion on which I ought not to sneak.
Ehe final determination of our policy rests
ktth congress.
|SsMeanwhile the president will hold these
Pwsessions for the American people and
Fnl give the inhabitants the largest meas
m of freedom and self government con-
|4tent with the recognition of our sover-
|1tnty and the maintenance of peace, order
E& lawful administration in the archipel-
40 The terms and measures can not
|X defined, however, at present. They will
nj subjects OF conference.
|zSThe first business is to establish peace,
"a that VIII be done at all hazards"