New-York tribune., 1899-06-13
THE PHILIPPINE FIGHTING.
ALL GENERAL OTIsS REQUESTS FOR
TROOPS GRANTED.
PRESSURE FOR CALLING OUT VOLUNTEERS
RESISTED BY THE PREs1DENT-ADJU-
TANT-GENERAL CoRBIN's GOOD WORK
tBY TELEGRAPH TO THE rRTBUNE.l

tBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRTBUNE.]
Washington, June 12-"General Otis has al
the troops he has ever asked for" is General
Corbin's comment whenever he is besleged In
behalf Of persons urging the qualifications oil
men for commissions in command Of volunteers
Scarcely an hour passes that the Adjutant- Gen
eral does not receive dispatches letters or per-
sonal visits from those who argue that advan-
tage ought to be promptly taken OF the pernis-
sion given by Congress to call out $4,000 volun-
teers for years service in the Philippines
Half his time is taken up in listening to plans
for quickly ending the Filipino revolt by land
ing $4,000 fresh soldiers at Manila and crush
ing out the opposition with them. Politicians
who never fought, and who pretend TO see great
danger for the Administration a year hence un-
less Luzon is peaceful before Congress meets
ar, inundating the White House with appca-
tions from constituents who want TO become
officers when the 5000 volunteers are mustered
in. and these are backed up by many Regular
officers who would conduct the campaign on
different lines from those thus far pursued
GENERAL OTIS THE BEST JUDGE.
In the face Of all the pressure that has been
brought 10 bear, the President approves the
logical military stand taken by General Corbin,
that so long GENIAL Otis is in command he
is in better position TO judge the necessities OF
the situation and the character OF the operations
than men Of infinitely less exp -ience and un-
tried Judgment at distance OF 500 miles. But
a speedy reinforcement Of General Otis by $4,000
men is utterly impracticable for lack Of trans
portation. Such force could be equipped and
uniformed in a week with the improved facili-
ties OF the supply bureaus. and It could be as
sembled and drilled into fairly good shape in d
couple OF months. but II could not be landed at
Manila in less than four months or much ear
lier than Congress would have an opportunity
70 increase the Regular Army 70 dimensions
commensurate with the dignity OF the Nation
and its needs at home as well as In the colonies.
General Corbins judgment has been severely
and repeatedly tested in the last year, and has
never been found faulty. Notwithstanding the
fact that he dealt with matters which were
new tc almost every American What he ac-
compushed in the mastering and equipping alone
OF an army Of 275,0O men, with rotten staff
bureaus TO whip into shape simultaneously. was
remarkable achievement, unsurpassed in this
country. at any rate. But when Congress re-
fused 10 grant an increase in the Regular Army
after Santiago was won and with Manila still
under the flag of Spain. element the Presi-
dent depended upon was the extraordinary
ability Of General Corbin in what may be de-
nominated grand logistics; that is the distribu-
tlon OF the few available troops TO the best ad-
vantage by transferring them at oppOrtune
times from place TO place. 10 arrive when needed
on time. without dslocating or weakening oper-
ations az the point or In the theatre from which
withdrawn.
GENER-.L CORBIN's ACHIEVEMENTS.
General Corbln demonstrated that ne had this
faculty in a high degree. From the beginning
Of the Spanish campaign last summer his eye
has covered the entire held. Amid all the re-
complaints about the quartermasters
commissary medical and engineer corps in last
summers operations, not one well-fOunded fault
was found with the Adjutant-Generars Depart
ment after II once shook itself free Of the poll
tican's opportunities about the distribution OF
the troops. Regular or volunteer. 10 meet any
given requirement. From the outset the move
nent OF the Regular regiments could not have
been better timed or directed than 1t was. The
volunteers were collected in camps as fast as
and at points and IN such numbers as
TO make them effective most quickly when the
moment for striking arrived.
General Corbns timing Of the movement Of
The various detachments particularly those 10
reinforce OliS III the fNIllpplltS, iIDHl the Ntlg
irst transports loaded. was accurate as clock
work. His withdrawal OF the troops from Cuba
and their direction to the Philippines. 10 meet
The exigencies Of the service there. as well
hat caused by the failure Of Congress to In
,rease the Army permanently has been gov
rned by a careful foresight and comprehension
# the situation at both ends Of the line which
las not been noticeable In other quarters OF the
military establishment since the outbreak OF the
var with Spain The more recent announcement
4 the order in which the volunteers will be re-
urned from the Philippines is another indication
4 General Corbln's peculiar ability and watch
ulness OF detail in such matters. The plan that
he regiment arriving at Manila first should
start for home first. and so on. disarmed all
riticism. IT was 80 palpaby fair 10 all
MAGNITUDE OF THE MOVEMENT.
The magnitude Of the American military
movement on the Philippines has been only
PARTIALLY appreciated. How few realize that
he force IN the field under General Otis to-day
$ 9s 600 menl The Regular Army Of the United
states when President Cleveland sent his venez-
lelan boundary message 10 Congress was only
alf that number and incomparably inferior in
ouipment or seasoning. Less than half as
many men under Scott whipped Mexico. Since
)ewey's squadron steamed into Manila Bay the |
ast night OF April year ago twenty-three |
army expeditions have crossed the Pacific and |
our have gone by way Of Suez 10 hold the new |
possessions These expeditions have carried |
279 officers and 37.2S7 men. but nearly 800 |
dditional officers have gone out to Manila and |
early 1000 men. who did not accompany the |
egular expeditions OF the total force up TO |
o-day scarcely 1000 have returned.
TROOPS SENT TO MANILA.
The following detailed statement OF these ex-
editions from the records OF General Corbin's |
flee is interesting now when the first volun- |
GERS are returning. especially as II has never
cen published:
First Expedition-General 7 NJ Anderson saled
rav q ana arrived June %. 1885 LIST California. %
regon battery OF California artillery. and Com
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