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


the United States over every foot CT land
| under its jurisdiction.
Mr.. Cox-What are you going to do with
| them?
MI. HULL would largely have them re-
place the army of 100, 00O which the party
| 0f my friend has given us for the past two
| years.
| At the close of Mr.. Cox's remarks Mr..
| Hull took the floor.
| Referring to Mr.. Cummings remarks
| about the artillery branch. he said that
| the bill fixed the number of that branch at
| 1880, which could not be decreased by
any action of the Executive. Referring to
| MIR. McCairs argument, Mr. Hull, said
| that he had entirely misapprehended the
question at issue. 1t was not whether
or not the sovereignty of the United States
should be maintained in the Philippines |;
that had been determined elsewhere.
Speaking as an individual Mr.. Hull said,
he believed the sovereignty of the United
States in the Philippines would be main
tained as long as the Republic stood.
When Mr.. Mccall questioned the matter
of cost he was putting the honor Of the
nation against dollars and cents. There
was no question involved of governing
an unwilling people, for less than per
cent of the population. or less than per
cent of the Tagalos tribe alone, was in re-
volt against the authority of the United
States. To withdraw from the islands
would be to abandon friends of the Uni
ted States and good order to the probabil-
ity of death. And the 9J per cent of popu-
lation. Mr.. Hull said, should receive some
consideration at the hands of so distin-
guished patriot as the gentleman from
Tennessee CMr. Cox).
Mr.. Hull was the target for a volley Of
questions by members regarding the use
and needs of the army. Mr.. Williams of
Mississippi asked why the bill did not
limit the service of the army to the du-
ration of the Philippine war.
Mr.. Hull-Because it is to be the army
OF the United States and will go any
where under the jurisdiction of the United
States that 1t may be needed. IApplause.1
Mr.. Williams-But isn't it true that be-
yond and independent Of the Philippine
trouble, you want permanent army of
100000 men?
itself shows 1t. authorizing the President
to reduce the force when the situation in
the Philippines warrants him in doing so.
Recurring to Mr.. McCall's speech. Mr..
Hull said that Massachusetts, had always
had man to protest against progress;
men who. as Phillips had said, were
afraid to brush the cobwebs from the
rafters for fear the roof would fall in"
But the State had always remained true
to the best interests of the country. and
her people did not approve her recreant
sons. GApplause.l Events have demon
strated." he said. that this country will
not support a party opposed to the gold
standard and expansion, and that policy
CT opposition alone cannot prevail"
Under the Five-Minute Rule.
When Mr.. Hull concluded, the bill was
read for amendment under the five-min-
ute rule. The provisions giving the Sec
retary Of War authority to prescribe reg
ulations regarding the qualifications of
officers to be appointed were stricken out.
The force of the quarterma ster's de-
partment was increased from sS to 119
officers; the increase being divided among
the several grades as follows: One colo
mel. two lieutenant colonies, ten majors,
and eighteen captains.
After dispOsing OF ten pages of the bill.
the committee rose. the pending question
being motion by Mr.. Hepburn to au-
thoriZe the appointment to positions in
the quartermasters, commssary. medical.
and paymasters departments of persons
from civil life and from the volunteers
enlisted since April /. 1888.
another effort TO secure a vacation of
the special order setting aside today for
the consideration of the Grout Oleomar-
garine bill failed and at $40 o'clock the
House adjourned until noon today
The Reorganization bill provides for an
army with a maximum strength of &C, 766
men. The cavalry and infantry arms are
each increased by five regiments, while
a gradual increase of 20 per cent a year
nj in, ba ri l.
lery, which is to be organized corps.
Tho actual increase in artillery men at
the end Of five years will be 1880 who
are to be used largely in manning sea
coast defences.
The maximum strength Of the infantry
is to include a force of 1900 native Fill
pinos. which the President is authorized
to enlist when in his opinion the condi-
tions warrant such action. Native Fill
pincs are made eligible to appointment as
first and second lieutenants in the native
regiments.
The number of staff officers under the
bill is S31. an increase of 800 over the
present regular staff. and officers Of the
line will number 2,SSS. an increase of SS6
over the present permanent line. The
line and staff, both regular and volunteer.
now in service. numbered 4.O77. so that
the number of officers provided by the bill
is 35S less than the number now in ser
vice.
Instead OF reporting the measure as
new bill the committee has made it a
substitute, or technically an amendment
to the Army Reorganization bill passed
last session by the Senate. This not only
gives ii a better standing before the |
House. but as an amendment to a Senate
bill it can be sent to conference without |
running the gantlet of a tedious debate.
a-