Marietta daily leader. (Marietta, Ohio) 1895-1906, 1900-12-04

purpose SO ueclarSu employing tne CIV
il arm as well toward the accomplish
ment of paclflcatlon and the institution
of local governments within the lines
of authority and law.
THE ARMY.
The personal strength of the army is
100 0O0 men-65, 900 regulars and $4,000
volunteers. Under the act of March 2,
1899, on the 30th of June next the pres
ent volunteer force will be discharged
and the regular army will be reduced
founded rron a just lreestom opure
to 2,447 officers and 29,025 enlisted
men.
In 1883 Board of Officers convened
by President Cleveland adopted a
comprehensive scheme of coast de-
fense fortifications which involved the
outlay of something over one hundred
million dollars. This plan received the
approval of Congress and since then
regular appropriations have been made
a. d the work of fortification has stead
lily progressed.
More than sixty millions of dollars
have been invested in great number
of forts and guns, with all the compli-
Gated and scientific machinery and
electrical appliances necessary for
their use. The proper care of this de-
fensive machinery requires men train
ed in its use. The number of men nee
essary to perform this duty alone is
ascertained by the War Department at
a minimum allowance to be 1920
There are fifty-eight or more mill
tary posts in the United States other
than the coast defense fortihcations
The number of these posts is being
constantly increased by Congress.
More than $22,OOO,OOO have been eX-
pended in building and equipment and
they can only be cared for by the reg
ular army. The posts now in existence
and others to be built provide for ac.
commodations for, and if fully gar
risoned require 10000 troops. Manv
Of these posts are along our frontier or
at important stragetic points, the oc-
cupation of which is necessary.
We have in Cuba between 5000 and
5000 troops. For the present cur
troops in that island cannot be with
drawn or materially diminished and
certainly will not until the conclusion
of the labors of the constitutional con-
vention now in session, and govern
ment provided by the new constitution
shall have been established and its sta
bility insured.
In Porto Rico we have reduced the
garrisons to 1895, which includes. S9G
native troops. There is no room fol
further reduction here. We will be re-
quired to keep considerable force IL
the Philippine Islands for some time tc
come. From the best information OBJ
tainable we shall need there for tht
immediate future from $4,000 to $4,000
men. | am sure the number may be
reduced as the insurgents shall come tC
acknowledge the authority Of the Unit
Led States, of which there are assuring
indications.
1t must be apparent that we will re
quire an army of about 10000 and tina
during the present conditions in Cubs
and the Philippines, the Preslden
should have authority to increase the
force to the present number of 10000
Included in the number, authoriti
should be given to raise native troop
| in the Philippines up to $4,000, whlci
the Taft commission believe will b.
more effectivein detecting and suppress
sing guerillas, assassins and ladrone
than our own soldiers.
The full discussion of this subject b,
the Secretary of War in his annual re
port is called to your earnest atten
ton.
| renew the recommendation mad
in my last annual message that tn
Congress provide special medal o
honor for the volunteers. regulars
sailors and marines on duty in tn
Philippines, who voluntarily remaine
in the service after their terms of en-
listment had expired.
l favor the recommendation of tn
Secretary of War for the detail of OF
ficers from the line of the army whe
vacancies occur in the Adjutant Gen
erals department, Subsistence depart
ment, Pay department, Ordnance de
partment and Signal Corps. The arm
cannot be too highly commended TO
it's faithful and effective service /
active military operations in the fiel
and the difficult work Of civil admins
tration.
PENSIONS.
At the end of the fiscal year ther
were on the pension roll 993,225 name'
net increase of 2,010 over the fisca
year 1899. The number added to tn
| z