The Portland daily press., 1900-12-25
Dept. Embarrassed By Congress
Failure to Act.
Army of 10000 is Inde-
spensable.
Troops There at Present Not
Likely to Re-enlist.

Washington, December 24.-The war
department. is considerably embarrassed
by the failure Lof Congress TO make pro-
vision before the recess for the relief OF
the military situation IN the Philippines
Acting upon representations made by
Gen. Macarthur, the department. has con-
oiuded that 1t is absolutely necessary to
maintain an army of $4,000 men In the
Philippines, until the current policy OF
establishing municipal governments
throughout the archipelago has teen exc
uuted. 1t IL stated ut the department
that any reduction of the military
strength below that figure under exist.
ing conditions would undoubtedly prove
most disastrous to tne interests Of the
United States. There are row about
60 900 troops, regulars and volunteers. In
tire Philippines, and arrangements have
neen made already for bringing home
o 900 OF that number. No further rsduc-
zion will be made until the war depart
men is advised fully Of the purpose OF
Congress with regard to army legislation.
hen the necessary authority has been
ztveD 1t Is the purpose OF the uepartment
bring home as rapidly as tossibie, all
che volunteers and regulars whose farms
OF enlistment expire on the Both OF June
next, but not before 1t Is possible to
replace them man for man, with new
recruits enlisted under the terms OF the
new army bill 1t therefore appears that
after the 900) volunteers have left the
Philippines, no more troops viii be with
drawn from that country until they can
% relieved by fresh troops recruited In
tie United States in acoordanoe with
legislation lsts 10 De enacted. 1t Is ex-
peots ID that Congress VIII act promptly
on the army bill, soon after 1t re-assam-
Dies In January, but even in that event,
il is said at the war department., is Will
II 1T be possible to get the fresh troops
o the PHILIPPINES inside OF two mcnths'
time. The general home coming move
mens OF the mass Of the Volunteers there's
fore, win have TO be postponed until
about the frat of February. That will
give the quhrtermaster's department
out five months time to bring home the
remainder Of the volt ntears ana the reRu-
lar troops whose terms viii expire at
the same time, aggregating about 40, QUO,
before this first of j ufy. This undertake
ny is believed to be beyond the capaci-
5y of the tran sport service as at press MT
organized. am may nscessitate the char
ssr OF additional steamships. All ar
ran sements IN that lins, however, will
&c held IN abeyanoe until definite in
formation has tetn received OF the intsn-
ton OF Congress with regard TO the pro-
posed in creaEe or the regular army.
Rscenl cable advices from Gen Mao
Arthur Indicate q strcny desire en- the
part OF the volunteers generally to re-
turn to tbs United States and that COM
paratively few ot~them are likely 20 re-
enlist without the mott liberal induce
ments are offered,
Gsn. Macarthur has recomm ended
that bounty of $3.50 be allowed to each
soldier in the Philippines who re-snlists
for another term and the plan lie said to
meet with the favor or the officials OF
the war department.