The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-06-24
MUST CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS.
NO DOUBT MORE MEN ARE NEEDED
IN THE PHILIPPINES.

Indications Are That Otis VIII Need
n Much Larger Army 40 Subdue
the FiIipinOs Livingston Says
Many Volunteers Can BE Secured.
Congressman Hit Says at hest IL
Will he Long COntest-Regular
Do Not Want Volunteers.
Washington, June 2S.-(speciaD.-It is
becoming painfully evident to number of
prominent officials here that President Nc
Knley will be obliged 20 issue a call for
volunteers, in spite OF his reluctance TO
do So
Some of the very best friends of the
administration do not hesitate to say pri-
vately that they fear Gen. Otis has made
the same mistake charged against Gen.
shafter, at Santiago that of undereeu-
mating the strength and fighting capacity
of his enemy. Under the circumstances,
Gen. Otis hesitates to ask for additional
troops, hoping against hope that the Fill
iplnos will throw up the sponge. Such
an occurrence is not at all likely, judg-
ing from the daily reports received from
Manila.
In conversation with a member of the
cabinet yesterday. IL was learned that
the President is anxiously watching de-
velopments, not only in the Philippines,
but he is also watching public sentiment
in this country. Patriotism and love of
the flag suggest that the administration S
foreign policy should, be sustained at any
reasonable cost. In spite of the desire
in every section of the country to uphold
the President in putting down the re-
bellion in the Philippines, there is un-
doubtedly a growing feeling that distress
ing mistakes are being made at Manila,
owing, principally, to an inadequate force
Up to the present time both Dewey
and Otis have been allowed to plan and
carry out their campaigns without inter-
ference or suggestions from Washington,
and the daily reports have indicated a
succession of victories. Under the cir
cumstances the President has been
strengthened in the belief that everything
was progressing in satisfactory manner
in the Philippines, and that the insurg-
ents, under Aguinaldo, were practically
subdued and about to sue for peace.
With the gratifying official and unofiiciai
reports, backed up by private correspond
ence, this cabinet officer said the Presi-
dent was justified In supposing that Otis
had ample force at his command. The
slightest intmatlon from Otis now, would
induce the President to issue a call for
volunteers, and it is probable that call
for volunteers will be made before we cell
citrate Independence day.
No Trouble in Getting Them.
Representative Livingston OF Georgia
says he does not believe there will be any
IN al 10 20
quired If the President comes out with a
general and unqualified call He says there
are thousands of men throughout the
South and West out of employment, who
would be glad of an opportunity TO go Into
the army. Then there are a number Of
bright young men who are anxious to OBJ
tain volunteer commissions, and they
have influence enough at their respective
homes to induce other men. less aspiring
to enlist as privates. Mr.. Livingston
says the lack of interest displayed in the
recent order Of the President increasing
the force at Manila by 5000. is due TO the
fact that all the officers selected for the
new regiments are to be men who are now
serving in the Philippines.
Among regular army officers, the Idea
Of calling for volunteers Is not received
with enthusiasm. They claim that the
volunteers will not submit to the regula-
ton discipline, either at home or abroad.
Il is claimed that in view of the develop
ments in the Philippines, il would have
been wiser had Congress provided for the
increase in the regular army suggested in
the original Hull bill. Some OF the off,
GERS who talk this way are frank enough
10 admit that had the original Hull bill
prevailed they would have been benefited
by a promotion 10 "a higher rank and an
increase in their pay.
Otis Has His Hands Full.
II is too late now to speculate upon
what might have occurred had certain
legislation been enacted. The fact re-
mains that Gen. Otis has more work on
his hands than he is able to attend 20,
and the sooner he is substantially rein
forced the better 1t will be for this gov
ernment There are so many conflicting
reports received from Manila that ii is
difficult to decide which are accurate.
Representative. Hit Of Illinois. who was
chairman Of the committee on foreign af-
fairs during the Reed regime, is one of
the best-posted men on foreign affairs In
either house of Congress. He was one
of the commissioners sent TO Hawaii upon
the annexation of those islands. Mr..
Hit says it is unreasonable 10
suppose that the rebellion In the Philip
pines can be put down with the small
force that Gen. Otis has al MS command.
If the Filipinos could all be rounded UP
and placed in front of the rapid-nre guns
Of the brave American soldiers, we might
make quick work of It. Unfortunately
the enemy is scattered all over those ISL
lands and they will not allow themselves
to be rounded UP, nor will they fight IN an
open field, as our soldiers are IN the habit
Of doing.
Mr.. Hit recalls the fact that the United
States were able 10 conquer Mexico with
neatness and dispatch, because we man.
aged to get the Mexicans all together. IN
other words, they concentrated their
forces so that we could get at them In
such contest the superior fighting quail
ties Of the Americans were too much for
the Mexicans and they were defeated.
VIII he Long Contest.
Mr.. Hit says 1t is extremely doubtful
whether we can call for enough volunteers
to put down the rebellion in the Philip
pines within a few weeks or few months.
AT best It will be a long drawn out con-
test for Spain has for a number Of years
maintained a large army both i'm Cuba
and also in the Philippines trying to nc
complsh what we are now engaged in do
ing In Cuba Spain had an army Of over
10000 men, and In the Philippines she had
over 10000. and yet the insurgents were
abe 10 prolong the struggle for an indeh-