The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-12-06

sary size at the beginning of the wal
with Spain had cost the Government un
counted millions of expense.
The previous question on the resolution
reported from the Committee on Rules
was put andi' the motion prevailed. AT
agreement was made to limit general de-
bate to four hours, two on each side. bii'
1t was found impossible to induce the ad-
vocates of the Grout OIeomargarine bill
which is the special order for today. to
consent to postpone its consideration
until after the Army bill had been dis
posed of
Debate was then begun. in Committee
of the Whole, with Mr.. Dalzell in the
chair.
The first speaker was Mr.. Hull. Chair
man of the Committee on Military Affairs,
in charge of the measure. He confined
himself largely to an explanation OF the
provisions of the bill Under them the
President could enlist a total force OF
96,166 men. But the Regular Army would,
at first consist of less than $4,000 men.
and of but $4,000 when the provisions OF
the bill should all have been worked out.
Proceeding to a discussion of the general
military question. Mr.. Hull said that in
the recent campaign the Democrats had
charged the Republican party and the
majority in the House with favoring
a large standing army. No man on his
! side. he added was in favor of huge
standing army, but / hope there is no
one who is opposed to an army large
enough for the needs of the country in
time of war and in time Of peace"
Mr.. Hepburn enquired If under the bill
as reported there was any possibility OF
an officer in the volunteer army who had
distinguished himself in the present war,
such as General Funston, OF Kansas, or
| Lieutenant Colonel Miller. of Iowa, Sc
| curing a position in the new army, of a
rank above that Of first lieutenant?
Mr.. Hull-There is not.
Mr. Hepburn-Would the gentleman OBJ
ject to an amendment by which such an
officer might be appointed to any grade
below that OF colonel?
| Mr.. HULL should. 1t would be an act
OF injustice TO many officers who have not
| only served in the same war with them,
but some in the civil war, and all on
the frontier in the battles which have
pushed our civilization to the Pacific, and
who have not yet gone beyond the rank
| of first lieutenant or captain.
Opposing the bill. Mr.. Cochran said
that as result of the Administration 8
policy in the Philippines. the United
States had Joined the ranks Of nations
| which are compelled to maintain vast
military establishments to enforce their
sovereignty upon unwilling people. The
benefits accruing from the possession Of
the islands, Mr.. Cochran asserted, would
in no wise compensate the people OF the
United States for the expenditures neces-
sary to maintain 1t.
| Why. asked Mr.. Cochran, do you put
| this increased lax upon us? With the
| trade of the Philippines divided among the
various nations it would be mere bag
| atelle, but if we should get it all. 1t would
not pay the cost of the larger army. The
1 1t sand
| strong enough to conquer the islands. Even
| the elements there were against our troops.
| and when the skeleton Of our army OF Co.
| COO. sent there two years ago, should re-
| turn your fellow -countrymen will hold
you responsible"
| Mr.. Cochran went over the agreement
| with the Sultan of Sulu and criticised the
policy of the Administration with regard
| to slavery.
| Mr.. Kleberg followed, also in oppasi-
tion to the bill He feared it would prove
| to be subversive of the Constitution by
| comforting upon the President power be-
longing to the Congress.
| The passage of the bill was urged by
| Mr.. Parker, a member of the Committee
on Military Affairs. The discretionary
| feature of the bill. he said. was nothing
new and he cited several instances in the
| early history of the country where the
| President was given power, in his discre-
| ton. to increase the force of the army.
| Regarding the proposed new organization
of the army, be said, experience had
shown that the policy of having an or
| ganization which could be expanded by
| the enlistment OF. volunteer soldiers to
| serve under tried and experienced officers
was the best.
Mr.. Shafroth said he would oppose the
passage of the bill until the policy o, this
country toward the Philippines had been
settled, and it was shown that an in
creased permanent army was necessary.
Mr.. Shafroih submitted figures to show
that the retention of the Philippines, for
which this proposed large increase in the
standing army was to be made. must
prove disastrous investment. He stated
that it would cost the people of the
United States s60.G00,O00 year to earn
$780, 600 for American manufacturers and
exporters.
When the Supreme Court decided, as he
bad no doubt it would, in the cases now
before it, that the Constitution fellows the
flag. within year there would not be a
corporars guard in favor of holding the
Philippines.
At the conclusion of Mr.. shafroth's re-
marks. Mr.. Hull stated that he knew of no
one on the Republican side who desired to
speak, ard as Mr.. Sulzer. in charge of the
opposition to the bill seemed 10 have no
one to hurl into the breach. suggested that
if there were no more speakers ready the
committee should proceed to consider the
bill under the live-mlnute rule.
Mr.. Sul=er- Has the gentleman no one to
speak?
Mr.. Hull-No: the gentlemen on this
side are more desirous of acting than OF
speaking.
Mr. Sulzer (with dramatic effect look-
ing at the Republican side)-Then l yield
an hour to the gentleman from Massachu-
sets.
The gentleman thus favored proved to
be Mr.. Mccall, read his speech, at
lacking the increase Of the army. He said
he could not assent to the policy which
gave the President the power to increase
or diminish the size of the army at will.
Mr. Mccall antagonized the holding of
the Philippines and asserted that the re-
suit of the war in the islands had been
merely to change for the FilipinOs Span
ish master for an American one. He be-
lieyed that all Governments derived their
lust powers from the consent of the gov
crned, and the right of the stronger nation
to make laws for the weaker could not be
defended. The policy of the United States
regarding the Philippines should have
been declared two years ago, and should
90 that declared to-
ted Cuba as