The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1899-07-18
WAR-DEPARTMENT DISPUTES
IN OFFICIAL STATEMENT ISSUED
FROM ARMY HEADQUARTERS,

Alleged Difference of Opinion Regard
ing Number Of Troops to be Sent to
Philippines in tho First Instance
| Views of Miles, Merritt and Dewey an
shown I'm Official Dispatches.
Washington, July 17.-This statement
was prepared at army headquarters to-
day and given out for publications:
There has been some discussion in the
press recently relating to an alleged diff
ference of opinion regarding the num-
ber of troops to be sent to the Philippine
Islands in the first instance. Immedi-
ately upon receiving the news, through
press dispatches of Dewey's victory at
Manila, General Miles recommended the
dispatch of military force to the Phil
ippines. Following is his letter:
Headquarters of the Army, Washing
ton, D. c., May 8, 1898.
"The Honorable Secretary of War:
Sir: 1 have the honor to recommend
that General Thomas M. Anderson be
hSHS ~ ONSuPy tiC LII ppllle lSluIluSp al
command of the following troops: Two
battalions Fourteenth 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
pliances, supplies and equipment.
Very respectfully,
NELSON A. MILES,
major General Commanding U. s. A.
The force above designated was ap-
proximately 5000 and the recommends
tion was approved by the president, as
follows:
Executive Mansion, Washington, May
4, 1898.
'The troops designated by General
Miles, if approved by the secretary Of
war, should be assembled at San Fran
CISCO for such service as may be or
dered hereafter. (Signed)
"WM. MCKINLEY"
Up to this time no communication had
been received fnom Admiral Dewey, his
first despatch dated May not reaching
Washington until May Z. Later the fol-
lowing despatch was received:
Hong Kong, May Is, 1898. (Cavite,
May 13.)
Secretary of Navy, Washington: *+
y I am maintaining strict blockade Of
Manila by sea and believe the rebels are
hemming in by land They are inactive
and making no demonstrations. Great
of CT ;y, cit T haI{
the Spanish encouragement will be
obliged to surrender soon. I can take
Manila at any moment. To retain pos.
session and thus control Philippine
Islands would require, in my best judg-
ment, well equipped force Of five thous-
and men, although United States troops
sent by Pekin will be very useful to re-
lieve the Olympia of guarding Cavite.
United States troops should make pro-
vision for extremely hot, moist climate.
Spanish force is estimated 10000 men.
The rebels are reported 10000 men.
(Signed) DEWEY"
On May 16, 1898, after seeing the
above despatch from Admiral Dewey,
General Miles made the following rec
Headquarters Army, washington, May
49, 1898.
The Honorable, the Secretary of War:
"Sir-I have the honor to submit tine
GLOWING: In order to make the United
states force as strong and effective as
possible, with a view to maintaining
ur possession and our flag on the Phil
ppine Islands, and at the same time re-
eve our navy as speedily as possible.
suggest that the command sent there
hall consist of the Fourteenth and Fiji
eenth United States infantry, two
quadrons of the Fourth cavalry, one
artery of heavy artillery from the
eventh and two batteries Of light ar
lery from the Seventh, and in addition
2,975 volunteers from California, Colo
ado, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Ore
on, Utah, Washington, North Dakota,
outh, Dakota, daho, Wyoming and
Minnesota, already designated. | also
commend that two twelve-inch guns,
vo ten-inch guns with disappearing
arriages and eight mortars to be dis
two eight-inch guns now
t Benicia barracks-all be placed on
oard ships at San Francisco and sent
, Manila, there to be mounted as
)eeQlly aS possible LOT tHe uSlGIICc VI
lat harbor and used together with any
lpid-fire gunc that can be spared from
le fleet now at that place When this
accomplished the fleet can be released
n more important service. The guns
I'd mortars referred to should be re-
aced as soon as possible by others
mt to San Francisco from the gun
undries and arsenals on the Atlantic
'ast. Very respectfully yours,
Nelson A. Miles,
ajor General Commanding, U. s. A."
The troops designated in the above
numbered 15,425 men,
hich was over 10000 more than Ad-
iral Dewey had asked for. Notwith-
anding this, it was General Miles
Union, in view of the admiral's state
ent that the Spanish force was estab-
he'd at 10000 men, it would be ad-
sable for us to have a. preponderat-
g force, In the meantime General
erritt had been selected 10 command
e expedition for the Philippines, and
a letter to the president dated May
1898, he submitted an estimate of
oops necessary to constitute such an
pedition, comprising 1440O men, of
lich number 5000 were regulars. On
ay Is he supplemented this by an es-
nate for a siege battery and small
lnance detachment. General Miles
d not seen General Merritt's estimate
len he wrote the letter of Nav 16