The times., 1900-12-30
THE FIGHT ON HANNA'S BILL.
The Administration In Qunndnry
Over the situation.

Over the situation.
. Senator Hannas determination to get
his Ship subsidysbill through at this ses-
sion of Congress 7has placed the Admins
tration in quandary, and the President
is now compelled TO choose between Mr.
Hanna and his bounty scheme and Mr..
Hawley and the Army REORGANIZATION bill.
1t is certain that both measures cannot
be disposed of at this session and one or
the other must fail
Mr.. Hanna insists that his pet bounty
scheme be pushed through, while the
President realizes that. unless the Army
bill becomes a law within a very few
months. the labor of years in the Phil
ippines will be undone and the peace and
order. such as now prevails in certain
portions of the archipelago, will be Sc
riously menaced.
The opponents OF the Ship Subsidy bill,
led by Senators Pettigrew, Allen, Butler.
and Money. have replied to Mr.. Hanna S
threats with the statement that they will
not oppose the army measure on condi-
tion that the bounty scheme be with
drawn for the session. In the event of
any attempt being made to give the
matter consideration, they propose to hold
up all legislation, particularly the ship
ping measure.
Mr.. Hanna has replied that lie will put
his bill through at the first opportunity.
so that this is regarded as a signal for
war on the army measure.
While the President is said to desire the
passage Of the subsidy measure. he also
insists that the Senate take speedy action
on the Army Reorganization bill. The
Democrats have been offered many in
ducements to allow the latter measure
clear way, but the opponents of the bounty
have discovered in this weapon with
which they intend to destroy the Hanna
Frye scheme.
1t is said that the President, Mr. Haw-
ley. Secretary Root. Adjutant General Cor
bin. and others have pleaded first with the
opponents of the bounty bill and later with
Mr.. Hanna, not to permit the Army bill
to be held up. They have been unsuccess-
full with both factions.
Secretary Root has forwarded letter to
Senator Hawley in which the reasons for
speedy legislation are set forth. Ii is
shown that practically all CT the soldiers in
the Philippines must be replaced with new
regiments before July 1. All OF the volun-
teers must be brought to the United States
to be mustered out by that date. To do
this without having force on hand TO re-
place the men must be to leave the archi-
pelago practically without protection. The
territory already pacified and garrisoned
will be reclaimed by the Filipino troops;
the municipal officials appointed under
the United States will, it is feared, be mas
sacred and a large insurgent army raised
through the reports that the United States
is permanently withdrawing from the ISL
ands. The fabric OF government in the
Philippines Will fall and large areas will
be turned over to the insurgents.
1t is shown that to replace the home
coming forces by July 1. and yet retain at
least 1000 men for protection, the pre-
liminaries should be arranged now. 1t had
been intended to start regiment home on
Tuesday, but If there is no hope of get
ting legislation through, the soldiers must
remain until the last moment.
The troops now in the Philippines have
refused to re-enlist, even though bounty
Of $3.50 has been offered; Thus the Admin
istration finds itself in serious predica-
ment. Even though the Army bill should
be passed at an extra session there would
be no time to drill thousands OF green
men. and a very inefficient force would
have to be sent to replace trained SOL
diers.
1t was stated by member of the Sem
ate steering committee yesterday morning
that this body will meet on January and
take decisive action In order to aid the
President Mr. Hanna will be informed or
the serious situation, it is, said, and VIII
be notified that he cannot call UP his Dill
in the face of existing conditions. He will.
it is said, be given chance to let 1t alone
for the session. or in the event OF his
kicking over the traces the measure will
be briefly and finally referred back to the
committee. In this way 1t is hoped to save
the Administration.
Representative Hull. Chairman OF the
House Committee on Military Affairs, stat
ed yesterday morning that IL the Senate
could settle the Hanna -Pettigrew light ana
pass the bill as amended by the Senate
committee the House conferees. in the in
terest of retaining order in the Philip
pines, would accept the measure without
any contest or objection
''I don't know what will happen II the
fight is kept up in the Senate,' said he.
II see no chance for the passage OF the
Ship Subsidy bill. and the way might as
we'll be cleared for unobjectionable legts-
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