The age-herald., 1899-07-18
And Later Recommended Force
 of More Than 15,000.
MERRITT DISAGREED WITH HIM
Only As to Composition of the Forces, He Asking for Same Number of men-Statement from the
 War Department

l Washington, July 17.-This statemans was prepared at army headquarters today and given out for publication:
 There has been some discussion in the 1 press recently relating to an alleged differ ence of opinion regarding the number of l troops to be sent to the Philippine islands l Tn the first instance.
 Immediately upon receiving the news through press dispatches of Dewey's vic l tory at Manila, General Miles recommended the dispatch of military force to the Phil ippine islands. The following is his letter: !" Headquarters of the Army, Washington, D. C., May 3, 1858. The Honorable, the Secretary of War:
 Sir: I have the honor to recommend that General Thomas M. Anderson be sent to occupy the Philippine Islands, in com- mand of the following troops: Two bat taions of Fourteenth infantry; two troops of Fourth cavalry; one regiment of in fantry California volunteers; two batter ies heavy artillery California volunteers, one regiment of infantry Oregon volun- teers; one regiment of infantry Washing ton volunteers; the troops to go with all the necessary appliances, supplies and equipments. mfw hr m mfwyp equipments. Very respectfully,
 (Signed) !" NELSON A. MILES,
 "'Major General Commanding, U. s. A "The force above designated was ap- proximately 5.O0o men, and the recom- mendaton was approved by the president, as follows:
 /" Executive Mansion, Washington. May 4, 1898.
 "'The troops designated by General Miles, is approved by the secretary of war, should be assembled at San Francisco, Cal, for such service as may be ordered hereafter
 tSgneO WILLIAM MKINLEY.'
 He Was Ahead of Dewey
 Up to this time no communication had been received from Admiral Dewey, his first dispatch dated May not reaching Wash ington until May '. Later the following dispatch was received from him:
 Hong Kong, May b, 1S9S (Cavite, May 13)
 Secretary of the Navy, Washington:
 l am maintaining strict block ade of Manila by sea and believe rebels are hemming in by land, although they are in- active and making no demonstrations. Great scarcity of provisions in the city. I believe the Spanish governor-general will be obliged to surrender soon. I can take Manila at any moment.
 /" To retain possession and thus control Philippine islands would require, in my best Judgment, force of 1000 well equipped men. Although United States troops sent by Pekin will be very useful to relieve the Olympia in guarding Cavite United States troops should make provision for extremely not, moist climate. Spanish force is esti- mated at 10000 men, The rebels are re- ported 3O000 men. T."
 (Signed) "DEWEY,, "On May Is, 1898, after seeing the above dispatch from Admiral Dewey. General Miles made the following recommendation: Headquarters of the Army.
 Washington, May Is. 1SsS The Hon. Secretary of War.
 Sir-I have the honor to submit the fol- lowing: Tn order to make the United states forces as strong and effective as possible with view to it's maintaining our possession and our flag on the Philippine Islands, and at the same time relieve our navy as speedily as possible 1 suggest that the command sent there consist of the Fourteenth and Fifteenth United States in- fantry, two squadrons of the Fourth cav airy, one battery of heavy artillery. from the Seventh, and two batteries of light ar tillery from the Seventh. and in addition 12. 1 975 volunteers from California, Colorado. l Kansas, Montona, Nebraska, Oregon. Utah Washington, North Dekota, South Dakota. Idaho, Wyoming, Minnesota, already desig- mated l also recommend that two Pinch guns, two 10-inch guns with disappearing carriages, and eight mortars to be dis mounted, also two S-inch guns now at Benicia barracks-all to be placed on board ship at San Francisco and sent to Manila there to be mounted as speedily as possible 1 for the defense of that hardor and used to- 1 gether with any rapid fire guns that can | be spared from the fleet now at that place. 1 When this is accomplished, the fleet can 1 be released from more important service. 1 The guns and mortars referred to should 1 be replaced as soon as possible by others to be sent to San Francisco from the gun 1 factories and arsenals on the Atlantic coast ! Very respectfully yours,
 l. NELSON A. MILES, Major General, Commanding U. $. A" Mics Wanted Larger Force The troops designated in the above com munication numbered 15, ,425 men, which was over 10,000 more than had been asked for; but notwithstanding this it was General Miles opinion that in view of the admirals statement that the Spanish force was es- timated at 10000 men, it would be advisable for us to have preponderating force. "In the meantime General Merritt had