The evening times., 1900-09-28

In the opinion of Administration officials
partisan reasons seem to demand a reduo-
ton in the military forces serving in the
Philippines .!sIt the immediate execution
of any such plan is improbable considering
the activity recently of the Filipinos and
the vigorous protest always entered by
General Macarthur whenever the question
of detaehirg troops from the islands is
mentioned.
General Macarthur has insisted since he
assumed command that the situation had
not so far improved that this Government
could expect permanent peace and he be-
lieyeS affairs warrant the retention of ey-
cry regiment now in the Philippines dur
ing the winter. 1t was announced months
ago that the withdrawal of troops would
begin this autumn until not more than
10000 men will be left, the object being 10
bring home practically all the volunteer
regiments now in service
During the siege of Pekin public atten-
tion was diverted from the Philippines but
now that most of the troops in China are
TO be transported back to Manila, it is said
to have been decided to promuigate the Or
ders withdrawing the volunteers within ;ns
next ten days.
Indeed, it seems TO have been the Ad-
ministraticn's original intention 10 have at
least one-half Of the force in the Philip
pines under orders for home before the
election, but the recurrence of trouble has
spoiled a shoWy campaign play.
The transports that are to fring Gen
erai Chafee's troops from China. it is
stated, were 10 have been used imme-
diately in transporting several regiments
to San Francisco from Manila. but il is
not expected one of these Will depaI t
before November J. It is reasa anaO!y
har CHI ~
elected the present army viii be contin-
ued in the Philippines and that a fresh
campaign Will be opened against the
Filipinos. The defeat of the Admins
tration, it is alleged would be followed
by the withdrawal of troops in order,
probably, TO embar.ass the incoming
Administration and leave fer it The SGt-
tlement Of the Philippine problem.
Political reasons, therefore, are now
operating in dealing with the Iiiiitary
question as it affects the phiIippln s,
and it seems quite certain that Ro Sc
rious movement will be ordered against
the Filipinos until after the ,iecdo,.
The force under General Macarthur.
with troops TO be Withdrawn from China.
viii exceed in strength any maintained
there since the Americans LANDED upon
the islands. This army comprises an
equal number Of regulars and g3lunJse
and constitutes nearly twO-thiTds OF the
regiments have been there since the frs
detachment was sent to hold the islands
after the destruction of the Spsn 81 Haet,
and both officers and men are weary of
their work, exhausted under the irving
climatic conditions. disguised aud anx-
ious TO get home. These facts have be-
come known through private letters to
people in this country, who are IN
formed also that it viii be years before
the insurrection will be quel!eI, il The
present rate of killing men and occupy
ing territory continues. Yet the Mar
Department, the President, and General
Otis insist that the war is over aud
only marauding bands are now giving
the army trouble But the weekly
casualty list from General Macarthur
testifes to the loss being sus .aiEed
through bullets and disease an uain-
territorial but nevertheless. forceful cor
Jradiction Of official peaceful assurances.
It IS as}-ed by many why this army of
Go ,000 men is not considerably reduced If
the war is over" and no further military
activity is expected. To this the Admin
istration officials answer BY sending ev-
cry regiment withdrawn from China and
IN diVerting those troops under orders to
Shanghai 10 Manila also. Nearly three
fourths of the entire army is now en-
gagged in work on the 3siatic Station, df-
vtded between the Philippines and China
mere are less than iu,auu troops at home,
and about G,G00 in Cuha and Porto Rico
Every transport leaving the west coast
carries enlisted men TO fill gaps in various
regiments. volunteer surgeons, nurses.
signal men, and others. The general
trend of the army is rather in the direc-
tion Of Asia than toward the United
States, and has been so during the past
four months.
The largest transport ts-those with ca
am
operating between Manila and San Fran
cisco, carrying supplies, and so far there
apparently has been no disposition to as
semble them for the withdrawal of any
large number Of troops from the islands
Wide differences prevail between the army
authorities in Manila and the Administra-
tion officials in Washington regarding the
maintenance Of large army in the Phil
ippines, which. but for politics, would