The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1899-05-31
THE PHILIPPINEsWAR COSTLY.
Campaign as Expensive as in Cuba and
Puerto Rico.
Baltimore Sun.


WASHINGTON, April 3O.-Is is,not
yet practicable to make even an ap.
prdximate estimate Of the cost
to date Of the war in the Philip
pines. Il. the vast expense OF trans
porting troops from the time the first
detachment was started to MManlla
after the destruction Of the Spanish
feet by Admiral Dewey is considered
in connection with the expense Of the
campaign against the natives during
the past two months, it is believed
that operations in. the Philippines
will already very nearly equal, if not
exceed, the cost Of the war il Cuba
and Puerto Rico.
Neither treasury officials or war de-
partment authorities possess any ac-
curate idea as to the cost Of forward
ing the troops to Manila OF maintain
ing them there. There are cuder
charter between twenty and thirty
steamers, besides five large vessels
owned by the department, all of which
have been actively engaged for nearly
one year IN transporting reinforce
ments. carrying thousands Of tons of
.ammun;.ion and hundreds Of thous-
ands Of pounGs Of supplies, medicine,
clothing and everything necessary to
maintain in effective condition the
large army now under. command Of
Cen Otis.
IN its campaign against the Filipi-.
nos the government has depended
upon the islands, especially Luzon,
for practically none Of its supplies,
and practically every pound Of meat
and bread and every stitch Of clothing
and all 1.-THE ammunition used had been
dispatched from the United States.
Excepting perhaps the Soudon cam
spaign and other expeditions, of the
British in Africa, it is doubtful if 2
large body of troops operating against
an enemy in foreign territory was ever
before SO dependent upon home sup
plies as .haye been the American land
forces unde. Gen. Otis and Admiral
Dewey's squadron. Not alone has the
military arm been supplied directly by
ships flying the American colors, and
proyisioned with American goods.
meats and bread, but the same has
been true cf the two thousand and
more men now with the feetinnder
Admiral Dewey.
From the emoment he sailed into the
9harborE aud smashed the enemy's S
squadron Dewey has not depended
upon Manila for.any supplies neces-
sary for his command, but has receiv-
ed all from this country. save some
beef and vegetables shipped to him
from Australia shortly. after the sur.
render Of the Spanish vessels.
AS; the campaignsin the Philippines
beganswith the attack onsthe Spanish
last August, when Manila was forced
70 surrender, it is the opinion Of the
war department authorities that when
accounts are settled it will be shown
that the cost Of the war must be dated
at least from that period, if not from
the time when the first troops 7ere
sent out, or May 25, 1888.
By far the most expensive item Of
cost in transporting the army has been
she charter Of steamers CT which all
but FIVE are under agreement to serve
The government as long as they may
be required This great feet costs
the nation thousands Of dollars day,
bat the exact rates are not announced
by the authorities. There are now
twenty ships either at sea between
American ports and Manila or under
orders, Of. which three-fourths have
been sailing from the Pacific cost.
From the day Of the first departure
Of troops across the Pacific there have
been between thirty-fve and forty
voyages made from New York and
San FraIcisco to Manila Of transports
With troops, ammunition and supplies.
In returning the ships, have brought
back invalids and discharged men, but
as rule these have been incopsidera-
BE. The twenty steamers are all own
ed by private concerns except five,
these having been purchased outright
and renamed after civil war generals.
They are the Grant, Sherman, Sheri-
dsn,f Hancock and Warren. The first
three sailed from New York this vim
ter with reinforcements for Gen. Otis.
Tie two latter are en- route from San
francisco. This fleet Of transports
has carried to Manila during the past