The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1899-05-31
TROOPS FOR PHILIPPINES.
More Men Are Badly Needed BY Gen
Otis.

New York, May GA Washington de-
sINtoh to the Herald says:
1ne question of calling for volunteers
for continuing the war in tae Philippines
will probably come up again at the next
session of the cabinet
The situation in the islands, as de-
scribed In the recent dispatches, is such
as to make it almost necessary to raise
at least a part of the provisional army
authorized by the last Congress, ii the
United States expects to secure complete
control of the archipelago. The admin
,stration has been brought to realize that
it is no longer war and diplomacy in deal
ing with the insurgents, but plain war.
Diplomacy and the peace commission
must take back seats until the enemy
has been completely whipped and forced
to surrender.
Gen. Otis has not sufficient number
of men to accomplish this emo: IL Is
believed that he has SO informed the war
department., but the officials will not ad-
NIT it. .p.They do admit, however, that
the outlook for an early peace Is very
gloomy, and that more troops are cadly
needed in the Philippines.
just how to meet this situation Is
question which confronss them and re-
ouires prompt decision. Although Gen.
otis states that he will continue an ag-
Qressiye campaign during the rainy sea-
son, it Is appreciated that he will be able
to do little more than garrison some or
the points which the forces under cen
erals Macarthur and Lawton have tax
en-. and hold them uItil the rainy season
is over. 1t is also plain that there will be
more or less illness during the period Uf
bad weather, and that when the cam :.
paipn Is resumed the force capable OF
active warfare will he materially re-
duced.
including the 1000 troops now on their
way or under ordsrs for service. in the
Philippines, Gen. Otis will have only
35, 600 regular troops under his command;
With 25, 200 regular troops in Cuba and
Porto Rico, there will be only IL, GOO reg
uIars left in the United States. The
question therefore, hinges on whether
it will be prudent to further draw on
the regular forces in the United States
| in order to augment Gen. Otis's forces
in the Philippines.
| Those opposed to organizing pro Wis
iona! army favor sending more regulars
elethe Philippines and also enlisting some
to the peaceful Filipinos. but another
| to mept in the war department is opposed
of half way measures in dealing with the
situation. They are urging the President
| to issue ae once call for at least 10000
of the provisional army, go that 1T mny be
organized, trained and sent to the Phil
| ippipes in time to oeRin an aggressive
campaign in the early autumn.
1t is expected that the President VIII
discuss all phases of the situation with
the cabinet tom orruw and reach an early
decision. -
Secretary Alger has been advised by
Gen. Otis that he has appointed as a
board to pass upon all claims against tn
United States Lieut.. Col Il. ii. Crow
der, Judge advocate; Major G. U. Gan,
tenbein, Second Oregon volunteers, ano
Capt. Ii. A. Greene, Twentieth infantry
This board IS also to meet a commission
representing the Spanish government, te
expedite the settlement of the claims OF
Spain In the Philippines. 1t Is expected
that the Joint commission will consider
the question of the compensation for thu
ornament and Notifications around Ma
Mia that should be allowed 60 SpaiI
under the terms of the treaty OF peace.