The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-12-04
PRESIDENT M'KINLEY'S
MESSAGE.
(CONCLUDED FRoM FIFTH PAGEl

tCoNCLUDED FROM FIFTH PAGE)
thing over 100000. 600. This plan received
the approval OF the Congress, and since
then regular appropriations have been
mace ana the work of fertilization has
steadily progressed.
More than So, 00O, 600 nave been invested
In q great number of forts and guns with
all the complicated and scientific machinery
ana elsctricai appliances necessary Tor their
use Inc proper care of this defensive ma
cnlnery requires men trained in its use.
this duty alone is ascertained by the War
Department at a minimum allowance TO be
Is, 420.
There are ffty-eight or more military
posts in the United States other than the
coast defense Qualifications. The number
or these posts is being constantly increased
by Congress. More than S22,O0O,OD nave
been expended in building and equipment.
and they can only be cared for by the regu-
lar army. The posts now in existence and
others to be built provide for accommoda-
tions for and If fully garrisoned require
&c, 900 troops. Many of these posts are along
our frontier or at important strategic
points the occupation of which Is neces-
sary.
We have in Cuba between 5000 and 5000
troops. For the present our troops In that
island cannot be withdrawn or materially
diminished, and certainly not until the con-
clusion of the labors of the constitutional
convention now in session and n govern
ment provided by the new constitution
shall have been established and its stabil-
ity assured.
In Porto Rico we have reduced the gar
risons TO 1856, which includes SOC native
troops. There is no room for further re-
duction here.
We will be required to keep a considerable
force in the Philippine islands for some
time TO come. From the best information
obtainable we shall need there for the inn
mediate future from $4,000 to $4,000 men. l
am sure the number may be reduced as the
insurgents shall come to acknowledge the
authority of the United States, of which
there are assuring Indications.
1t must be apparent that we Will require
an army of about 60.0e0. and that during
present conditions in Cuba and the Philip
pines the President should have authority
to increase the force to the present num-
Der of 100, 600. Included in this number au-
thority should be given to raise native
troops in the Philippines up to 1900, which
the Taft commission believe will be more
effective in detecting and suppressing
guerrillaS, assaSSinS and ladroneS than our
own soldiers.
The full discussion of this subject by the
secretary of war in his annual report is
called TO your earnest attention.
/ renew the recommendation made in my
last annual message that the Congress pro-
vide a special medal of honor for the vol
unteers, regulars, sailors and marines on
duty in the Philippines who voluntarily re-
manned In the service after their terms OF
enlistment had expired.
1 favor the recommendation of the secre-
tary of war for the detail Of officers from
the line of army when vacancies occur in
the adjutant generals department. inspec-
tor generals department., Quartermaster
generals department, subsistence depart
ment, pay department, ordnance depart
ment and signal corps. The army cannot
be too highly commended for its faithful
and effective service in active military OPP
erationS in the field and the difficult work
OF civil administration.