The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-07-18

to an alleged difference OF opinion re-
garding the number of troops to be
sent to the Philippine Islands in the
first instance,
Immediately upon receiving the news
through press dispatches Of Dewey's
victory at Manila, Gen. Miles recon-
mended the dispatch of military force
to the Philippines. The following Is
his letter;
Headquarters Of the Army,
Washington, D. O., May 8, "98.
The Honorable the Secretary Of War:
Sir: | have the honor to recommend
that General Thomas NJ. Anderson be
sent to occupy the Philippine Islands,
in command of the following troops:
Two battalions, Fourth infantry; two
troops Fourth cavalry; one regiment of
infantry, California volunteers two
batteries heavy artillery, California
volunteers; one regiment of infantry,
Oregon volunteers; one regiment of in
fantry, Washington volunteers; the
troops to go with all the necessary APP
plianees, supplies and equipment
Very respectfully,
Nelson A. Miles,
Maj. Cen, Commanding U. S. A.
The force above designated was, APP
proximately. 5000 men, and the recon-
mendation was approved by the pres
1dent as follows:
Executive Mansion,
Washington, May 4, 1898
The troops designated by Gen. Miles.
II approved by the secretary of war,
should be assembled at San Francisco.
Cal, for such service, as may be or
dered hereafter.
William Mckinley.
Up to this time no recommendation
had been received from Admiral Dewey.
his first dispatch, dated May /. not
reaching Washington until May Z.
Later the following dispatch was re-
ceived from him:
Hong Kong, May 10, 1899.
Cav1te, May 13-Secretary of navy.
Washington: I am maintaining strict
blockade of Manila by sea, and believe
rebels are hemming 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. / can take
Manila at any moment To retain pos
session and thus control Philippine ISL
ands would require, in my best judg-
ment, well-equipped force of five thov-
sand men, although United States
troops sent by Pekin will be very use
tul to relieve the Olympia of guarding
Cavite. United States troops ghouId
make provision for extremely hot
moist climate. Spanish force is esti
mated at 10000 men, The rebels are
reported 5V.ooo men; Dewey.
On May It, 1898, after seeing the above
dispatch from Admiral Dewey Gen.
Miles made the following recomnenda-
ton:
Headquarters of the Army,
washington, May 16. 1893
The honorable, the secretary of war.
Sir-I have the honor to submit the fol-
lowing, in order to make the United
states force as strong and effective az
possible, with view to its maintain
ing our possession and our flag on tha
Philippine islands. and at the same
time relieve our army as speedily as
possible, l suggest that the command
sent there consist of the Fourteenfh
and Fifteenth United States infantry
Two squadrons Fourth cavalry one haf
terry of heavy artillery from the sew
enth and two Batteries Of light artil-
lery from the Seventh, and in addition
1890 Volunteers from California. Colo
fado' Kansas, Montana, Nebraska. Ore
gon, utah; Washington, North Dakota,
South Dakota, Idaho, Wyoming. Min.
nesota, already designated
Very respectfully yours.
NeIson A. Miles, major general.
commanding u. S. A.
The troops designated in the above
communication numbered 15.425 men
which was over 10000 more than Adj
mirai Dewey had asked for. but nor
withstanding this it was Gen MIles,
opinion that In view or the adniral's
statement, that the Spanish force was
estimated at 10000 men, it would be
advisable for us to have a prepondera-
ting force.
In the meantime, Gen. Merritt had
been selected to command the expedi-
ton for the Philippines and in a letter
to the president, dated May 10. 1898
he submitted an estimate of troops nec-
essary to constitute such an expedition.
comprising 14,400 men, Of which num-
Der 5000 wer regulars
On May Is, he supplemented this by
an estimate for a siege battery and q
small ordnance detachment
Gen. Miles had not seen Gen, Mer-
ritt's estimate when he wrote the let-
ter of May &c. given above. This Lett
ter was referred to Gen. Merritt foe
remark and was received back with
the following Endorsement:
" Headquarters Department of Gov
errors Island,
May H. 1898.
Respectfully returned to the adju-
tant general Of the army
IL consider the composition Of the