Evening star., 1900-10-25
NEED FOR A LARGE ARMY
SECRETARY HEATH DISCUSSES MIR.
BRYAN's STATEMENTS.
Shows That Ante-BeIlum Conditions
in Philippines Demanded In
creased Military Force.
Special Correspondence of The Evening Star.


Discussing Mr. Bryan's attempted issue
of "militarism," Secretary Heath of the
republican national committee said today:
Mr.. Bryan's insincerity to the public is IL
lustrated by his recent change of front on the
question of militarism. Originally he attempt
ed to make the people believe that the
present law established a permanent
standing army of 100000 men, The falsity
of this assertion was quickly proven by
the official records. which show that the
increase in the standing army was tenn
perary. and that the service of the entire
addition to the military force terminates
on the 1st day of next July. at which time
the army reverts to it's former status of
less than $4,000 men.
Driven from his original position. Mr..
Ri yam now takes refuge behind the aSSer-
ton that the republican President recon-
mended and a republican House enacted a
measure increasing the army to 100000
men when mo arm was raised against the
United States, thereby attempting to make
the public believe that at that time there
was no reason to suppose that an addi-
tional military force would be needed.
Need for Increased Force.
"Mr. Bryan knows that this assertion is
as misleading and untrue that originally
made in which he attempted to make the
people believe that the present law estab-
fishes a permanent standing army of 10O.-
600. He knows that the public records
show that the President and Congress were
notified long before this action occurred
that our handful Of troops in the Philip
pines were in danger and that additions to
the force would be absolutely necessary
both to continue our. control in those is
lands and to protect our forces already
there.
II have before me extracts from the re-
nOrtS blp1 nv Cen Otis nd other officers
in the Philippines continued Secretary
Heath. which prove beyond the slightest
doubt in the world that all that Mr.. Bryan
says upon this subject is absolutely untrue
and proves him to be either unfit presi-
Dental candidate on account of his un-
familiarity of the facts relating to that
about which he is talking or that he is de-
liberately trying to deceive the people An
epitome of the stirring events occurring in
the Philippines prior to the recommended
ton by the President for an increase of the
army is found in the following:
Events Epitomized.
"On May 1. 1898, Admiral Dewey attacked
and destroyed the Spanish fleet in front CT
Manila. On May 10, 1898, Aguinaldo ar
rived at Manila. On May "a, 1898, Agui-
naldo issued a proclamation announcing
the establishment of a dictatorial govern
ment, with himself as dictator and DEGREES
for carrying a military government. On
June Is. 1S9S he established what he called
revolutionary government, and on July 1,
1898. proclaimed himself president. On July
p 1S9S, Gen. Merritt arrived and took COM
mand of the American forces which had
arrived during that month. On July 20.
1898. Admiral Dewey telegraphed the Presi-
dent: Situation most critical at Manila.
Merritt's most difficult problem will ne how
to del with insurgents under Aguinado,
who has become aggressive and even
threate ening toward our army On August
I ha Arol..r OF f.nly al 10
Mia, with whom Aguinaldos forces not
only failed to cooperate, but demanded
that the churches, the palaces of Malcanan
and part of the money taken from the
Spaniards, and the arms of the Spanish
soldiers. be turned over to him and that
his forces be permitted to loot the city
During September. according to the pub
lished report of the Philippine commission
the feeling between the Americans and the
insurgents grew worse, day by day and all
manner of abuses We're indulged in by the
insurgent troops who kidnapped natives
who were friendly to the American troops
and carried them off or killed them The
Filipino congress was assembled at Malplos
and Aguinal1o removed his seat of gov
ernment to that place: organizations called
popular clubs were created in Manila and
other villages and towns intended to pro-
woke bitterness toward the Americans
from which organizations the local militia
was recruited to aid in the attack upon
Americans. On September q, 1895 q decree
passed the Filipino congress imposing mill
tary service upon every male over eighteen
and. blacksmith shop in Manila bolos
(knives) Were being manufactured evi-
IDENTIFY for use In hOstilities.
The Presidents Recommendation.
President McKinIey's recommendation
for a temporary increase In the army was
sent to Congress on December B. 1895 and
said: For some time in the future 100 900