The San Francisco call., 1899-05-28

~ ALL HEADQUARTERS, WELL
INGTON HOTEL, WASHING
TON, May 27.-Dispatches from
~ Manila stating that more troops
are needed and that the Ameri-
can army is suffering embarrassment
and unnecessary losses on account of
the lack of a sufficient force to occupy
territory from which the insurgents are
driven attract much attention here. 1t
is assumed that the facts are as stated
and that General Otis has his own rea-
sons for wanting them to become
known to the people of this country.
The Presidents reluctance to enlarge
by Congress renders it difficult to sup
ply enough trained soldiers for the
Philippine campaign, and it is evident
that our army has been deprived of re-
suits that should have followed from
its magnificent operations by being un-
able to spare troops to hold positions
gallantly captured. 1t is believed that
General Otis wants either the retention
of the volunteers he has or an enlist
ment of the full force authorized by
Congress.
The President. in conversation with
some of his callers to-day, is quoted as
having said that he had hoped the vol
unteers would have an opportunity to
enjoy the full fruits of their magnifi-
cent services by participating in the ac-
tual pacification of the islands and
coming home as victors. It was mani
tested however, that they could not
wait to see the matter through, and he
has FASTENED to have them replaced
with regulars and sent home as speedily
as possible. He said he did not think
there was any serious conflict between
General Otis and the civilian members
of the Peace Commission, and that if
there were he would feel the necessity
of the army being free from interfer-
ence. The President is quoted further
as saying that it has become manifest
that the Philippine campaign should
be made as aggressive as possible and
should be carried to a conclusion with
vigor, as advised by Admiral Dewey.
There was rumor of possible call
for 35, 900 additional troops, but it was
said that the President was not now
giving any serious consideration to that
subject. If it is decided later to send
more troops to the Philippines a call
w III D6 IIlduc III lllliC " IldNG IIlC llOOpS
reach the island just before the ending
of the rainy season, so that a swift
campaign can be inaugurated.
The withdrawal of volunteers from
the Philippines and the unsettled state
of affairs throughout the islands ne
cessitates the exercise of the utmost
expedition by the War Department in
the dispatch of reinforcements to Otis
small but gallant army. The plans of
the department contemplate the send
ing to the Philippines of all available
regular troops not required in the
United States, Cuba, Porto Rico or
Hawaii. The Grant is booked to sail
from San Francisco in a day or two
with the Sixteenth Infantry.
1t was originally intended to send the
Nineteenth Infantry to the Philippines
on the Sheridan, which vessel has just
returned to San Francisco, but this plan
has been abandoned owing to the un-
expected delay in bringing the regiment
back from Porto Rico. The Nineteenth
Infantry was on the transport Meade
when that vessel ran aground on a reef
just outside of Ponce about two weeks
ago, and it is still detained in that
country awaiting the repair of the
troop ship.
Owing to the exigencies of the service
it has been found inexpedient to hold
the Sheridan at San Francisco for the
Nineteenth Infantry, and that vessel
will start for Manila on the 7th prox.
with about 1000 recruits for various
regiments in the Philippines These re-
cruits are already at San Francisco,
and were eventually scheduled for duty