The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-07-18
War Department Issues. a Statement
For Publication.
TROOPS FOR PHILIPPINES
LETTERS FROM DEWEY, MILES
AND MERRITT GIVEN OUT.
Two Latter Disagreed as to Number
of Soldiers That Should Be Sent
Dewey Asked For 5000 and Ar
rangements Were Made to Fur
nish Him With $4,000.

ment was prepared at the army head
LEGATION:
There has been some discussion in
the press recently relating to an al
legged difference of opinion regarding
the number of troops to be sent to the
Philippine islands. Immediately upon
receiving the news through the press
dispatches of Dewey's victory at Ma
nilla, General Miles recommended the
dispatch of a military force to the
Philippines. The following is his let:
ter:
Headquarters of the Army, Wash
ington, D. C.. May 3, 1SsSIThe Hon.
Secretary of War.-Sir: 1 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
Fourteenth infantry, two troops Fourth
cavalry, one regiment of infantry, CAL
ifornia volunteers; two batteries heaVy
artillery California volunteers; one
regiment of infantry, Oregon volun-
teers; one regiment of infantry, WASH
ington volunteers, the troops to go with
all the necessary APPLIANCES. supplies
and equipments. Very respectfully,
NELSON 4. MILES,
% Major General Commanding United
States Army
The force above designated was ap-
proximately 5000 men, and the recon-
mendation was approved by the presl-
dent, as follows:
Executive Mansion, Washington,
d. c., May t. 1S9S.-The troops deSig-
mated by General Miles. if approved by
the secretary of war. should be assem-
bled at San Francisco, Cal, for service
as may be ordered hereafter.
WILLIAM M'KINLEY-
up to this time no communication
had been received from Admiral
Dewey. his first dispatch dated May l
not reaching Washington until the ta-
Then later the following dispatch was
received from him:
Admiral Dewey's Letter.
'Hongkong, May 10, 1898 (Cavite.
May 13).-Secretary of -Athe Navy,
Washington, D. c.: / am maintaining
strict blockade of Manila by sea ana
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 De
obliged to surrender Soon- L can take
Manila at anv moment
To retain possession and thus con-
troll Philippines would require, in my
best judgment. well equipped force OF
5000 men, although United states
-troops sent by Pekin will be very use
full to relieve the Olympia of guarding
Cavite. United States troops should
make provision for extremely hot,
moist climate Spanish force is es-
timated at 10000 men. The rebels are
reported 10000 men.
ION May IS. 1898, after seeing the
above dispatch from Admiral Dewey,
General Miles made the following rec
concentration:
HEADQUARTERS of the Army. Wash
ington, D. c., May 16, 1S9S-The Hon.
Secretary of War-Sir: 1 have the
honor to submit the following: In or
der to make the United States force as
strong and effective as possible, with a
view to it's maintaining our possessions
and our flag on the Philippine ISLANDS,
and at the same time relieve our navy
as speedily as possible, l suggest that
the command sent there consist of the
Fourteenth and Fifteenth United
States infantry, two squadrons of the
Fourth cavalry, one battery light ar
tillery from the Seventh, and in add
ton 1875 volunteers from California,
Colorado Kansas, Montana, Nebraska,
Oregon, Utah, Washington, North Da-
kota. South Dakota, Idaho. wyoming,
Minnesota, already designated L also
recommend that two 12-inch guns, two
1O-inch guns. with disappearing car
riages and eight mortars, to De dis
mounted. also two S-inch guns now at
Renicia 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 or
that harbor and used together with any
rapid-fire guns that can be spared from
the fleet now at that place. When TINS
is accomplished, the fleet can be re
leased for more important service Inc
guns and mortars referred TO snoulu De
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