Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-12-25
SEC. ROOTS ARGUMENTS
In Favor OF the Immediate increase OF the
Standing Army.

Washington, Dec. 24-.At the last meet
ing of the Senate committee on military
aaffirs. the proceedings Of which We're
made public. Saturday, Sec. Root made q
strong representation for the necessity OF
immediate legislation for the relief of the
army. He tied broadly that if Congress
did not at once increase the army in sub
Stantial accordance with the recommend
atoms of the war department. the United
States would be obliged to abandon a
large portion Of the Philippine islands
where civil government is established.
If the present garrisons are withdrawn
from certain portions Of the island, the
municipal officers. mostly Filipinos, Will
be left dctenccless. with every prospect
of being deprived of their lives and prop
ertv. and at the same time the United
States will he disgraccd. said the sccrc-
tary, for having proved faithlcsS to its
solemn obligations.
The secretary argued that it WAS nccCS-
sary to pass the department bill as a
whole in order to properly adjust the
military organizations To the new condi-
tions created by an increase Of numbers.
I'VE do not any of Ms, y" said. .'cX-
pect that for any considerable period an
army of 10000 men will be maintained,
and for an army of 10000 men the provi-
sions made by the committee) are suifl-
ciCnt.'
With reference to the matter of staff
details, the secretary said that he WAS
convinced that the control Of the pcrma
nent staff Of the departments in the city
Of Washington is an evil that ought 70
be remcdcd. ana that il is highly lnpnr-
tant for the army that there should be
Interchangeable service between the line
and tn staff.
In answer to an inquiry, the secretary
said that il was of minor Importance
whether there was a corps or reSImcntdl
ation OF the artillery branch, ana
that while he favored the former, he real
ly cared very little about The matter,
which he regarded as purely technical
question. He said he had put the corps
formation provision into the bill bccauSt
it had been generally represented to nm
as Il wise provision.
Sec. Root devoted considerable attCn-
ton in his testimony to the army can
teen, urging that it was a great means oi
maintaining the morality. health and dis
Ciplinc of the troops. He pointed out tina;
mon get together to read. talk and smoke
playing checkers and other games, ant
drinking under such natural restraints as
the place afforded.
A prohibition OF the Cantccn. the Secr1-
tary said. would interfere with enlist
ments. as the men would not enlist ii
they knew they were going to be confined
agitation against the Canteen as Il mis-
guided one. holding that the abolition o.
the conteen would drive the soldiers ou
OF the post exchange, where they were
subject to Salutary restraints. INTO the
demoralizing and vicious surrounding!
OUTSIDE of the armE posts. 70 would re
suit in more drinking and more deception
among those who drank.
The secretary also pointed out tEat th'
proposed enactment would convey an en-
tiroly erroneous and prcjudiciJl view t.
the public as to what had been the course
of the army in regulating the sale o
l!uuOr up to this tine.