The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-12-24
LEGISLATION FOR ARMY.
SECRETARY ROOT PRESENTS Me-
CEssITY FOR EARLY RELIEF.
Provision Must BE Made For Ample
Force or Much That Has Been
Accomplished Must BE Abandoned

WASHINGTON. Dec. 2s-At the last
meeting of the senate committee on mill
tary affairs. the proceedings OF which
have just been made public Secretary
Root made a strong presentation or the
necessity for immediate legislation for
the relief Of the army. He stated broadly
that II congress did not at once indorse
the army bill in substantial accordance
with the recommendations OF the war de-
partment, the United States would be
obliged to abandon a large PARTON Of the
Philippine islands, where civil govern
ment is established.
II the present garrisons are withdrawn
from certain portions of the island the
municipal officers, mostly Fflpinos, VIII
be left defenseless, with every prospect CT
being deprived Of their lives and property,
and at the same time the United States
will be disgraced. the secretary said, for
having proved faithless to it's solemn obli-
cations The secretary argued that 1t
was necessary to pass the department
bill. as whole in order to properly adj
Just the military organization to the new
members. I'VE do not. any OF u.s." he
said. expect that, for any considerable
period. an army of 10000 men will be
maintained, and for an army of $1,000 men
the provisions. made (by the committee)
are sufficient"
"a sian OOntTOhs
With reference to the matter of STAN
DETAILS. the secretary said that he was
convinced that the control Of the per-
manent STAN department in the city OF
washington Is an evil that ought to be
renedied, and that IT Is highly important
Tor the army that there should be inter-
manageable service between the line and
the STAN. In answer to an inquiry the
secretary said that II was Of minor i'm
portance whether there was a corps or
regimental formation of the artillery
pranch, and that while he favored the
FORMER, he really cared very little about
the matter, which he regarded as purely
technical question.
Eject of Army Canteen.
Secretary Root devoted considerable
attention In his testimony to the army
canteen, urging that IT was a great means
OF maintaining the morality, health and
discipline OF the troops. He pointed out
that the post exchange Is a club where
the men get together to read. talk and
smoke, playing checkers and other games
and drinking under suchnatural restraints
as the place afforded. A prohibition OF
the cantsen. the secretary said would
interfere with enlistments, as the men
would not enlist II they knew they were
gong 20 ne confined In a reform school.
he considered the agitation against the
canteen would drive the soldiers out Of
the post exchange. where they are sub
Ject 20 sanitary restraints, to the demor-
altzatfon and Vicious SURROUNDINGS outside
Or army posts. 1t would result In more
drinking and more deception among those
who drank. The secretary also pointed
out that the proposed enactment would
convey an entirely erroneous and prelude
ciai view to the public az to what had
Deen the course of the army in regulating
the sale or liquor up to this time.