Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-06-07
The Force in the Philippines.


seems very evident that if the Filipino
insurgents are to be suppressed with
any degree of promptness a consider
able increase Of force will be neces-
sary, and would prove, in the long run,
an economy.
Upon this question there appears to
be wide discrepancy of opinion.
Prominent army officers have been
quoted as believing that 100000 troops
will be needed for a campaign that
will result in the complete and final
suppression of the insurrection.
Naturally these officers have been
promptly discredited-and indeed a
doubt has been quite generally ex-
pressed whether or not the officers
quoted ever entertained or expressed
the views attributed to them.
Ii will be recalled that General Sher-
man was the target for the most vigOr-
Gus criticism when he stated to Sec
rotary Cameron, in the early part of
the Civil War, that he needed 10000
men for defensive purposes in Ken
lucky and 200, 900 if he We're to assume
the aggressive. So far did this esti-
mate exceed the popular conception OF
actual needs, that Sherman was ad-
Judged mentally unsOund. In Deceni-
ny - .
announced that General sherman was
insane, and the report was quite gen
orally credited throughout the North.
Events have shown how utterly made
quate was the popular conception OF
the true magnitude Of the impending
struggle, ana how accurately the sol
dierly instincts of sherman grasped the
needs of the hour.
It is one thing to act upon the de-
fensive. and quite another to take the
aggressive. If the campaign which
has just been practically closed in the
PHILIPPINES has demonstrated one thing
more than another it is the inadequacy
of our forces. our soldiers have had
no great difficulty in driving the in
surgents from their strongholds. and
by their devotion and courage have
added new glories to the annals OF
American history But the lack Of the
forces necessary to properly garrison
the places taken has largely neutral
lied the successful work in the field.
The insurgents have returned again as
soon as our troops We're withdrawn, and
thus the entire campaign was rendered
largely Ineffective. 1t is evident that
a resumption Of the campaign at the
close OF the present rainy season should
be undertaken with force amply able
to hold all captured territory.
There is growing suspicion that
General Otis has been a trife toe
optimistic in his views Of the situa-
ton. All through the early summer he
was confidently predicting the early
collapse of the instruction. Then
came the overtures from the insur-
gents looking to the establishment OF
peace-overtures which it is only too
evident now We're made with a view t.
secure time in anticipation Of the early
arrival Of the rainy season, and which
were not altogether unsuccessful
Now General Otis is quoted as saying
that 90 900 troops will be sufficient. 1t
is very evident, however, that officers
who have served with him are not Of
this opinion. General King who is noW
in this country is very outspoken in
his judgment that the task of subduing
the Filipino Insurgents is by no means
an easy one. and will call for a con
sderably larger force than has yet
been employed, and men like Generals
Lawton and Macarthur, whose SER
vice in the field has certainly given
them excellent facilities for Judging,
are reported to entertain the same
opinion.
There can be little doubt but what
the arrival Of the rainy season has
found the insurgents in a demoraliztd
condition. ThpItildl 1ictisns efsAmerican
rapacity and bloodthirstiness by Nhich
the leaders have hitherto held t.their
followers together has lost much-of its
force. and their ranks, during the past
few months, have been considerably
depleted by assertions. With a+force
adequate to hold securely every inch of
ground gained there can be little doubt
but what sharp, short and vigorous
campaign, When climatic conditions
again become settled. would result in
the speedy suppression of the insur-
gents, and the final establishment OF
American authority in the islands.
There can lie no back steps taken.
The honor and dignity of our country