The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-06-02
GEN. OTIS SAYS 100000 MEN.
THAT WILL BE ENOUGH TO oUELL THE
PHILIPPINE INSURRECTION.

He Adds That with ~, 900 He Can Maintain
American Authority After the War Is
Ended-Not Yet Decided Whether to Call
for Volunteers or Send Regulars.
WAsHiNaToH. June 1.-The statements pub
lished In American newspapers under Manila
and Washington date lines that much larger
number OF troops than 10000 will be required
70 quell the instruction in the Philippines
were effectively disposed OF In a telegram re-
ceived by the Secretary OF War to-day from
Major Gen. Otis.sin answer to the inquiry cent
to Gen. Otis yesterday. Gen. Otis Aad that he
was still OF the opinion that 10000 troops
would be necessary for the effective control OF
the Philippines. He also said that "a. 900 non
would be sufficient to maintain American au-
thority throughout the islands after the insur-
rection had been ended AS he will have only
"a 900 troops. all regulars, after his present
volunteer force has been recalled to the United
States for muster out. 1t will be necessary. in
order 20 comply with the estimate transmitted
to-day. to send him 5000 moro men. Whether
these will be taken from the regular troops
now in tho United States or a call issued for
ypiuntcors. under the authority given the
President by the Army Reorganization act. has
not been determined.
The President and tho Secretary OF W ar are
very much gratiled over the low estimate SUBJ
nitted by Gen. Otis. They were probably as
much SURPRISED as gratifed that he did not ask
for moro than 10000 men. for the newspaper
statements from Manila had made the authori-
ties very anxious. and unQuestionably in
ducel some OF them to believe that very large
force would be necessary to Quell the rebellion.
All the agitation on this subject was caused by
an Associated Press despatch from Manila
which said that 100000 men would he re-
QuiIed to maintain order in the Philippines
This was followed by wild and unwarranted
statements sent out from Washington to news
papers The Govern ment finally determined
10 ascertain the truth aDd telegr am was sent
TO ten. Otis by Secretary Alger yesterday. ask
Ing him II the $4,000 regulars which would
comprise his command after the withdrawal Of
tho volunteers would be sufficient for all pur-
poses He was told to reply Immediately. as
Il would be necessary. If he wanted more men.
t. call for volunteers at once in order to get
them to the Philippines by the end OF the rainy
ecAson
on the part Of the. Ad ADMINISTRATION. overnight in
teer force Yesterday IL was said very frank
the estimate OF Gen Otis exceeded "a. 600 the
additional number would be made up OF volun-
the authority given in the Army Reorganiza-
ton act IT was SAID also that no more regu-
emtire present force being needed to care for
the coast defences. for service in the Indian
country and to maintain small force, OF in
fantry in reserve The indications to-day are
that the 5000 additional troops to be sent to
Gen. Otis will be taken from the regular reRi-
mingtion has been reached In the matter.
however. and serious consideration OF it will
fortation facilities are inadequate. and these
troops could not be sent to Manila for several
Several suggestions concerning the method
Of selecting those extra men have already been
made and talked over by the authorities to some
lh.A tnnl fiNE1 don rnl
and one that meets with the greatest favor
Is that one cavalry regiment; the Seventh In
Infantry be sent to Manila az organizations. :
and the rest OF the reinforcements secured by
psace ooaa ana senang the Extra mem
5000 men required could. be secured Each
troop OF cavalry now consists OF 100 men. and
duced to 10 men. Thls:wouid give $50 men
from all the cavalry commands. There are
ten, regiments Of cavalry in the regular army
duty in the Philippines. Where part q It is now
serving.
was decided to call for volunteers to augment
the force OF Gen. Otis after the with travail Of
the volunteers now serving wish him. about
added that 1t had not been don niteiy deter;
pinned where the 5000 additional men ns :, would
to take them from the regulars now located In
the United States. Cuba and Porto Rice, -
The telegram received from Gen. OTIS to-
day contained the Nth statement that he has
made to the War DEPARTMENT that he needed
only 10000 mer to uuel the Philippine insur-
reCtiOn. His first estimate OF that number
was submitted in telegram received on Nov.
ii. lS'S. From time to time he has had to
mention the number Of troops which was re-
Quired and he has consistently adhered to his
original figures. His reiteration in to-days
despatch confirms the belief that existed In
official circes.that the rebellion is nearly over.
While 1t is admitted that AGuinaldo may not
surrender during the rainy season. when mill
N rnn "a irnE NviI n mr.
4 lis the opinion Of the military authorities that
there will he no effective resistance to United
States authority when the hea lthful season be-
gins.