The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-12-04
Secretary Of War Tells What Has Been
Done I'm the Philippines, in China,
Cuba and Porto Rico.
MINIMUM FORCE OF 10000
WITH AN AUTHORIZED MAXIMUM OF
100000 rIEN RECOMMENDED.
The Secretary Confident that at No
Pay for Their Own Protection.

WASHINGTON. Dec 3.-The annual re-
port of Secretary Root is of more than
usual interest owing to it's wide scope and
the fact that it treats of utjects of such
Importance as the Philippine insurrection,
the Chinese campaign, the developments in
Cuba and Porto Rico and finally with the
subject of army reorganization. Some
idea of what the army has been doing in
the field and at home is conveyed by the
secretary's statements that its operations
included the prosecution of the war for
the suppression OF the Philippine insurrec-
ton and the establishment of a govern
ment In the Philippines, the rescue Of the
foreign ministers in Peking, the preserva-
ton and the relief of distress IN Alaska
and the construction of roads and tele-
graphs there the conduct of the govern
ment of Porto Rico until May 1 last, the
conduct Of the government of Cuba, prose-
cution OF river and harbor works, the con-
struction of seacoast fortifcations, the gar
risoning and maintaining of military posts
and fortifications, the discharge of about
one-third of the army and the re-enlistment
of soldiers to take their place, and the dis
tribution of supplies TO the scattered
forces.
The chapter of the report treating of
military operations in the Philippines is a
recital of the features of the campaigns
that were conducted in the islands during
the past year. Ii is said that the pur-
pose was to pursue the small bands of Fill
pinos scattered throughout the islands
The effort was successful and resulted in
the further and practically complete dis
integration of the insurrectionary bands.
in the rescue of nearly all the American
and Spanish prisoners, in the capture of
many or the leading insurgents and the
destruction of large quantities of arms and
supplies. Secretary Root says that with
the execution of the military plans there
all formal and open resistance to Ameri-
can authority I'm the Philippines disap-
peared, leaving only an exceedingly vexa-
tious and annoying guerrilla warfare of
character closely approaching brigandage
which will require time. patience and good
judgment TO finally suppress.
The secretary further states that il re-
quires over 400 different posts In the Philip
pines because the Tagalogs who are in
rebellion have deliberately adopted the
policy OF numbering. so far as able. all of
their countrymen who are friendly TO the
United States He thinks that the most
eIlclenI measures Ol tie IeduCllOn Oh the
number OF posts and of troops i'm the
Philippines will be the construction of
roads. making possible rapid communica-
tion, the establishment of personal relations
between our officers and the people so that
we can tell who are trustworthy sources
OF Information, the gradually growing app
probation of American control and good
intentions following good civil government,
and finally the organization of native
troops under American officers. The Sec
retary also tells OF the progress made in
the creation OF civil government in the
islands.
RECOMMENDATIONS.
Secretary Root recommends that Con-
gress authorize bond issue for the con-
struction of a railroad based on the road
itself. or that the United States make
loan 10 the insular treasury to be repaid
from the island revenues. The secretary
speaks of the serious embarrassment
caused by the defective currency system
In the Philippines owing TO the fiuctuating
CONTINUED ON PAGE ?. COL. A.