The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-07-17

vorable reception. 1t was felt by the Cab
met that the United States should send
h force IL could dispose of 10 China, as
far as seemed necessary, and should not
make any agreement with other powers as
TO the number. This decision involves the
increase of the force of troops destined for
China. The responsible officials evaded any
specific statement as 70 the extent of this
increase; 1t was, however, gathered that
the achievements would be limited only
by ability of the government TO spare
troops from those commands now in the
United States and Cuba.
The estimates varied as to how many
could be spared. but the general opinion
was that somewhere between four thou
sand and eight thousand men could be
shipped to the East from Cuba and the
United States In addition 10 the troops al
ready under orders. A statement prepared
by Adjutant General Corbin shows that
there are now a grand total of 1866 officers
and men in China. en- route to China, en-
route 10 Nagasaki. or under orders for
Nagasaki. This table, OF course. includes
the Inflated Ninth Infantry, which may
not be in condition for further service.
General Woods last reports indicate that
owing to the tranquility prevailing in Cuba
it will be entirely safe TO decrease the
military force there quite largely.
MUST DENUDE HOME POSTS.
But even with these Cuban troops 1t will
be necessary, if the Cabinet plans are car
ried out, to divest the home posts of gar
risons save in the case of the heavy ar
tillery organizations at seacoast points.
About all of the troops within the borders
of the United States that would be avail
able for Chinese service under a call are
these regiments: Second, Fifth, Seventh
and Eighth cavalry regiments intact. one
squadron each of the First and Sixth
Cavalry, the First, Tenth and Eleventh
regiments of infantry complete. one bat
TALON each of the Second, Fifth, Seventh,
Fourteenth. Eighteenth, Twenty-third and
Twenty-ffth infantry regiments and three
companies of the Twenty-fourth Infantry.
This available force of cavalry and in
fantry aggregates about 5000 men. Some
artillery undoubtedly would be sent. n
there are light batteries K. of the First
Artillery, A and +, of the Second, G and
f. of the Third, b, of the Fourth. ID. of
the Fifth, and G and NJ, of the Seventh.
available. There are besides companies C
and ID of the engineers and four companies
Of the signal corps.
Secretary Root was reluctant to admit
that there was any necessity for more
American troops in China, and at the close
of the day ne said that thus far he had
issued no orders for achievements. Con-
tinuing. he said that the regiments al
ready slated for Chinese service, those now
in China and those afoat amount to 10, Go
men of all arms. Secretary Root said that
in view of the small standing army of the
United States. of our Insignificant force of
field artillery as compared with that of
the great European powers and of our
lack of territorial interests in China this
10000 men represented more than the
United States's prorata share Of the inter-
national force which is to operate against
Picking. The War Department, he said,
so far has responded in full to every de-
mand made on it by the joint conference
of foreign commanders in China. The
situation has changed so rapidly from day
to day as to alter the estimate of the for
eign commanders several times. 1t is posi-
BILE hat the estimates of troops needed
for Chinese service will be again increased.
IL SO the United States will respond.
By securing this country and ~denuding
Ii of all regular troops except a very few
In the heavy artillery in charge of valuable
seacoast guns and by making still further
demands upon forces in Cuba and Porto
Rico we might possibly gather between
5000 and 1900 additional troops. This, how
ever, would be the limit unless the War
Department disregarded a recommends
ton of General Macarthur and drew still
further on the available troops in the
Philippines. This, however, was a future
contingency which would not have to be
met until it arose.
the first reports of the disastrous battle of
the 18th. at Tien-Tsin. might prove to be
exaggerated, but the War Department, it
was stated, had no official information, be-
yond that transmitted in Admiral Remey's
cablegram of this morning.
MILES'S GOOD ADVICE.
General Miles was called upon by Secre-
tary Root during the afternoon TO counsel
with him as TO the projected troop move
a large force to China.
A good deal of annoyance has been caused
here by the complete misunderstanding
that has been conveyed to the European
nations as to the attitude of the United
States government regarding the settle
ment of the Chinese troubles. This gov
eminent. it can be stated authoritatively.
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