Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1900-12-13
FEDERAL DEPARTMENTS.
Army Should be 10000 to 100000
The Navy, PostOfiices, Etc.

FEDERAL DEPARTMENTS.
Army should be 10000 to 100000
The Navy, POstOfflces, Etc.
The present strength OF the Army Is
100 900 men-65, 900 regulars and 5000 vol
unteers. Under the act Of March 2. 1899.
| on the 3Oth of June next the present vol
unteer force will be discharged and the
Regular Army will be reduced to 24T
officers end 29,O25 enlisted men. In 1851
board Of officers convened by Presiden'
Cleveland adopted comprehensive
scheme Of coast defense and fortificatiOns
which involved the outlay of something
over $l0O.OOO.OOO. This plan received the
approval of the Congress and since then
regular appropriations have been made and
the work of fertilization has steadily
progressed. More than 100000 900 have
been Invested In great number of forts
and guns with all the complicated and
scientific machinery and electrical appli
ances necessary for their use. The prope
care Of this defensive machinery require
men trained in its use. The number o
men necessary to perform this duty alon
Is ascertained by the War Department
at a minimum allowance. to be 1920
There are So or more military posts
the United States other than the coast.
defense Notifications The number OF
these posts Is being constantly increased
by Congress. More than $22OOO.O00 hav
been expended in building and equipping
them. and they can only be cared 70
by the Regular Army. The posts now II
existence and others to be built provid"
accommodations for, and, II fully gar
risoned. require 5000 troops. Many o
these posts are along our frontier or q
important strategic points. the occupa
ton OF which Is necessary We have If
Cuba between 5000 and 5000 troops. For
the present our troops In that island can.
not be withdrawn or materially dimin
ished. certainly not until the conclusion
Of the labors of the constitutional conven
ton now in session and a government pro
vided " the National Constitution SHOULD
have been established and its stability
ducet The garrisons to 1886. which include
S naive tIE0ea!RDss, There - no room fol
quired to keep a considerable force 1t
the Philippine Islands for some time tt
come. From the best information ODD
tainable we shall need there for the i'm
mediate future from $4,000 to 6O.OoO men,
l am sure the number may be reduced
the insurgents shall come to acknowledge
the authority of the United States. o.
which there are assuring Indications.
1t must be apparent that we will re.
ouire an army of about 10000. and thai
during present conditions in Cuba and
the Philippines the President should nave
authority to increase the force to tn
present number Of 100000. Included In
this authority should be given to raise
native troops in the Philippines up to
5000, which the Taft commission believes
will be more effective in detecting ana
suppressing guerillas. assassins and la
drones than our own soldiers.
The full discussion of this subject BY
the Secretary Of War In his annual re-
port is called to your earnest attention.
The Navy.
Very efficient service has been rendered
by the Navy In connection with the insur'
rection in the Philippines. and the recent
disturbance in China.
A very satisfactory settlement has been
made OF the long-pending question of tho
manufac ture of armor-plates. A reason
able price has been secured. and the
necessity for a Government armor-plate
plant avoided
The Hawaiian Islands.
Much interesting information Is given IN
the report Of the Governor OF Hawaii ms
to the progress and development OF the
islands during the period from July Z,
1898, the date OF the approval OF the joint
resolution Of the Congress providing for
their anne xation up to April 30. 1870. the
date of the approval OF the act providing
a government for the territory and there'
after. The last Hawaiian census. taken
In the year 1896 gives total population
of IO9, O2O, of which 81, O19 were native Ha-
waiians. The number Of Americans re-
ported was S4s5. The results OF the Fed
eral census taken this year show the
islands to have total population or lo4.'
OO1 showing an increase over that report
ed in 1896 Of a ,9S1. or 4l.2 per cent. There
has beer marked progress In educational:
agricultural and railroad development OF
the islands.
The Twelfth Census.
The Director of the Census states thai
the work in connection with the 18TH CEN
sus Is progressing favorably. This Ma
tional undertaking. ordered by the Con
gress each decade. has finally resulted IN
the collection of an agregaton 81 inds ssaris
and mechanical resources. its richness u
mines and forests. the numbers s OF IL IL
products, its educational and religious op
portunities. as well as questions pertain
ing to sociological conditions.
Precaution Against Extravawance.
In our great prosperity we. must guard
against the dangers 1t invites in extrav.
agance in government expenditures and
appropriation and the chosen represen.
tatives OF the people Will. I doubt not. fur.
nish an example in their legislation oil
that wise economy which. In a season OF
plenty, husbands for the future. In this
era OF great business activity and oppor'
tunity caution Is not untimely. 1t will
not abate but strengthen our confidence
II will not retard but promote legitimate
Industrial and commercial expansion
Our growing power brings with 1t temp
tations and perils requiring constant Wig
lance to avoid It must not - used TO in
vite conflicts. nor for oppression. but fo
the more effective maintenance. OF those
principles Of equality and Justice upor
| ero
pend. Let us keep always in mind tina
the foundation OF our Government Is lib
erty; Its superstructure peace.
WILLIAM MCKINLEY.
Executive Mansion. December :. 1904