The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1900-10-26
BRYAN'S ARMY ISSUE
HIS MISREPRESENTATION DISPOSED
or BY THE OFFICIAL RECORDS.

Milftarism a Deceptive Pretense--Ttn
Falsehood Exposed by a Plain
Statement of the Facts In the Case.
Is Mr.. Bryan trying to deceive the
public with his cry of militarism and a
large standing army?
He asserts over and over again that
the president and the Republican con-
gress increased the army to 100000
men "when no arm was raised against
the nation anywhere in the world"
and by his talk of the large standing
army" and the dangers of militarism
under Republican rule evidently seeks
to make the people believe that the in
crease in the army is permanent one
and that it has been brought about ex-
clusively by the Republican party.
Here are the facts as shown by the
official records. The act which in
creased the army at the beginning Of
the war with Spain provided that the
army should be restored to its former
size (27,000) at the termination of that
war. AS consequence whatever addi-
tional force was necessary by reason
of the threatening conditions in the
Philippines after the termination Of
the war with Spain had to be provided
by subsequent act.
History of the Case.
q Admiral Dewey destroyed the Span
ish fleet in front of Manila on May 1,
1898; Aguinaldo arrived at Manila on
May 10; on May "a he issued a procla-
nation announcing the establishment
Of dictatorial government with him
self as dictator and DEGREES for carry
ing on military government and on
July l proclaimed himself president.
On July % General Merritt arrived and
took command of the American forces
which had arrived during that month,
and on July 26 Admiral Dewey tele-
graphed the president: situation most
critical at Manila. Merritts most
difficult problem will be how to deal
with insurgents under Aguinaldo, who
have become aggressive and even
threatening toward our army
On Aug. Is the American troops at
tackled Manila, but Aguinaldo's forces
failed to cooperate except to demand
after the action had ended that the
churches, the Palace of Malcanan, part
of the money taken from the Spaniards
and the arms of the Spanish soldiers
be turned over to them and they be
permitted to loot the city. These de-
mands were refused, and during the
months which followed, as shown by
the report of the Philippine commits
sion, 1.-THE feeling between the Ameri-
cans and insurgents grew worse and
worse day by day, and all manner Of
abuses were INDUCED in by the insur-
gent troops Meantime the Filipino
congress" was assembled at Malolos,
and Aguinaldo removed to that place.
Organizations intended to provoke bit
terness toward the Americans and from
which local militia could be recruited
to aid in the attack upon them were es-
tablished In Manila and vicinity, and
on Sept. p, 1898, decree passed the
Filipino congress imposing military
service on every male over is years of
age, while in every carriage factory
and blacksmith shop implements of
war were being manufactured, evident
ly for use in hostilities.
Democrats Favored Army Bill.
All of these facts were known to the
president, and it is not surprising, there
fore, that he found it necessary when
he sent his message to congress on Dec.
5, 1898, to ask a temporary increase in
the army, which he did, saying, There
can be no question that at this time
and probably for some time in the fu-
ture 100000 men will be none too
many to meet the necessities of the
situation" As a result of this recon-
mendation a bill was passed in the
house on Jan. 81, 1899, authorizing the
enlargement of the army to 100000
men. This was referred to the senate
committee, which included such Demo
cratic members as Senators Cockrell of
Missouri, Mitchell of Wisconsin, Pettus
of Alabama and Pasco of Florida, and
on Feb. "a that committee unanimous
" reported a substitute bill authoriz-
ing the president ito maintain the reg
ular army at a strength of not exceed
ing $4,000 enlisted men and raise a
force Of not more than $4,000 volun-
teers, provided that such increased reg
ular and volunteer force shall continue
in service only during the necessity
therefor and no later than July /, 1901. I"
On this bill Senator CockreIl, who
was a Democrat long before Mr.. Bryan
was born. said: This measure has
been examined very carefully, and /
want to say that indorse it. indorse
1t because believe 1t right and just
and proper and necessary. When 1901
comes, the army will revert TO what Is
provided for in the pending bill with
out debate or contention, and 1t will re-
main at that figure, and think that is
ample and sufficient"
The vote.
On the official vote upon the bill.
Feb. "a. 1899, which increased the
army to 100000 the yeas. as shown by