The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-11-12
THE NEW STANDING ARMY
To Be Permanently Established
With About log, 900 Men.
Recommend to he Made Dis.
pensing With the Present VoIun-
by observation-disclosures to Have
Free Hand i'm the Philippines.

| In response to requests from the War
Department. the general officers of the
army in the Philippines have submitted
estimates as to the number of men that
VIII be required in the archipelago for the
next year or so. and in every case the Of
'icer says that the force should not be re-
duced, as even with the suppression of the
guerrilla bands now forming the so-called
! lnsurgent army. it will be necessary to re-
tain large number OF men for prudential
reasons until order has been restored.
These estimates have given the military
authorities their cue as to the recommen-
cations to be submitted to Congress at its
coming session in regard to the size Of
the military establishment. While Secre-
tary Root has not determined the exact
character Of his recommendations, it is the
understanding among those so situated as
to have knowledge on the subject that the
War Department will favor the formation
OF an army of about 100000 men. The de-
sire is to have this number in the per-
manent establishment, and to do away with
the present volunteer force of $4,000, which
by the provisions of the act Of Congress
creating it must be mustered out on or be-
fore June 30. 1901
General Miles has prepared a plan for
the organization OF regular army on the
basis Of one man for each I 900 of popula-
tion. thus providing force of &c, 900, the
figures of the census taken this year being
used. In order, however, to provide for a
sufficient number of artillerymen to permit
one daily relief on the coast defence forth
fications. he favors the enlistment of an
q ft,,,c, III,
force OF $4,000. divided among thirty regi-
ments OF infantry, twelve regiments of
cavalry. and corps Of artillery
This plan is not favored by the War De-
partment proper. although no definite con-
clusion as TO the size of the army to be
recommended has been reached. Just be-
fore Secretary Root left Washington on
Friday he received full memoranda of in
formation and suggestion which he had
personally outlined. and 1t is said that
these point conciusively to the determine
tion mat the Secretary believes that an
army fully as large as that now in service
regular and volunteer, is necessary for all
purposes. Mr.. Root took these memoranda
with him to Cuba and will consider them
on his trip. When he returns he will have
procabiy reached conclusions and embod-
leu them in the annual report he will pre-
sent to President Mckinley before Com
gress assemblies
General Macarthur has been promised
every assistance by the Government in
suppressing the Tagal Instruction and as
ne believes that all his present force is
necessary to that end, any suggestions |
lhal the army be reduced will probably be |
opposed strongly by the Administration. |
In telegraphing General Macarthur in eff
lect that the President expects you to |
'ring the instruction to a success full ter |
the Secretary of War said also
that no orders interfering with General
MacArthur's plans of campaign would be
sent from Washington and it is. there
lore. apparent that the Executive will
support Macarthur in his desire to re-
tain large force of men.
senator Proctor of Vermont. member
'f the Committee on Military Affairs.
anne to Washington Saturday expecting
o meet Secretary Root and discuss with
I'm the legislative aspects of army or
He will have s4~conference
With Mr.. Root as soon as tie latter re-
urns from Cuba