The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-01-28
ARM BILL.
idea for 100000 Men
To Be Given Up.
HULL AME.NDM ENT
May Tend to Allay Present
Opposition to Measure.


to the army reorganization bill on the
republican side of the House has be-
come SO strong that today Chairman
& Hull, after Mr.. Henderson (of Iowa),
one Of the floor leaders of the major
ity, had threatened to vote to recon-
nit the bill. decided it would be wise
in order to insure Its passage, to aband-
on the idea of providing directly for a
regular army of 100000 men.
He announced on the floor that the
committee would offer amendments
to reduce the number of enlisted men
to 100000 but lodge in the presidents
discretion the authority to increase the
army to maximum of 100000. These
amendments have been prepared. They
provide that the president may in his
discretion enlist only go men in the in
fantry companies and so in the cavalry
troops. BY the terms of the bill there
are to be 80 infantry regiments of 10
companies, each with a strength of las
men, and IL regiments of cavalry Of 10
troops each with a strength of 1906
men. This discretion, If the president
would exercise it, would reduce the
numbers of enlisted men to about 81,
900, and practically leave intact the or
ganization provided in the bill so far
as officers are concerned.
How far the proposed notifications
will allay the opposition, remains to be
seen. Mr.. Johnson of Indiana, who
took prominent part in the fight to-
day after the general debate closed,
declared that the purpose of the Dill
was to have an army of 100000, either
s by direct authority or the exercise OF
the presidents discretion, and he de-
81 clared his purpose to fight to the bit
ter end the machinery which was be-
ing formed for a colonial system. Mr..
Henderson, in the course of the debate
today. declared his belief in the un-
wisdom of annexing the Philippines
Mr. Johnson said the vital mistake was
made when the president induced the
peace commissioners to demand the
cession of the Philippines. The whole
debate today was spirited, and so in
tense was the struggle when the bill
was taken up for amendment under
the minute rule, that the first sec
ton had not been completed when the
House recessed at o'clock.
When the House met today, but little
more than an hour remained of the time
for general debate on the army reor-
ganization bill. 49,
Mr.. Henderson (rep.) of Iowa was the
first speaker. He had foreseen some OF
the future trouble as the outgroWth OF
the difficulties which beset us at our
Immediate doors, but he had not an
ticipated that we would be carried TO
another hemisphere 1000 miles from
our shores He looked with aversion
upon any proposition to increase the
regular army and ne hoped 1t would
not be necessary to establish stano-
ing army of 1907 900 men. He was will
ling to cheerfully support proposition
to Increase the army to $4,000 or to co.
900 men. But If congress must go be-
yond that, he trusted that no provision
for 100, 900 men would be made, but that
discretion be lodged with the president.
The president could be trusted.
Mr. Grow (rep.) of Pennsylvania ar
gued that the future of the Philippines
was question for the future. Neither
Filipinos nor the Porto Ricans, said
he, had the right to haul down the
American flag. 1t had been planted by
the American people, and it must stand
until the American people replaced it.
Mr. Fitzgerald (dem) of Massachu-
sets closed the general debate in OPP
position to the bill. He antagonized
the army, and warmly opposed the
annexation of the Philippines. He ad-
vocared for the FYlipinos the liberty
and independence which were to be
granted to Cubans. In the course of
his remarks he declared that there was
an element in this country which was
supporting because 1t was backed by
Imperialism.
He said ENGLAND had never been our
friend until she needed US as she did
now in the partition Of China. But he
declared no party would dare to ad-
vocate an alliance with England for
subjugation of people. Should it be at
tempted the strength of people who
had suffered from British misrule
would be felt at the ballot box.
Mr. Hull in charge of bill, closed for
his side. The number of enlisted men
provided for in bill he said, was based
not upon the personal view of the mem
bers OF the committee, but the au-
thorltatlve expression of those who
were upon the ground. In Cuba the
evacuation commission had declared
that $4,000 soldiers were necessary, not
necessary to enforce order, but to insure
peace and tranquility without blood
shed.
In Manila the commanding general 30
days ago had cabied that 10000 men
would be enough, but within the last
month he had increased that estimate
TO 5U,OOO. The knowledge there that
public opinion was divided in this coun-
try and the impression that prevailed
there that the administration might he
turned down had multiplied the dangers
there. The committee believed the MAJ
imum should be placed at 100000. but
was willing to agree, in view of fine
opposition, that absolute provisions
should only be made for so 600 givine
the president the discretion to increa Sc
the army up to 100000 Congress had
an abiding faith in the president ana
he could be trusted. In his hands
should be placed the power to main
tain the sovereignty of the Trnited
States wherever our flag had been car.
ried, until congress should finally do
termine what should be done.
This ended the general debate and
the bill was read for amendment I'M
der the five-minute rule. The first vote
was taken on an amendment to in
crease the number Of chapains from
80 to 40. and II wagearried cS 70 49,
Mr.. Hay (dem) Of Virginia offered
the following amendment: Provided
that the increase of the regular army
beyond what 1t was before the war
with Spain. shall only be used in Porto