Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1901-01-05
DELAYS PACIfICATI0N
OF The PHILIPPINES
Ssnate's Inaction on the Army Bill
Retards the Restoration Of
Peace.
REORGANIZATION WILL BE SLOW
Time Will Bs Required to Form
New Regiments, and Congress De-
lay VIII he Felt In the
Islands.

Washington. Dec. 2e.-Failure Of con-
Sress to enact the ARMY reorganization
bill before the adjournment OF congress
menaces the success OF the work OF re-
storing peace and order in the Philip
pines and Is giving the war department
cause for great concern.
This much is certain: The return OF
government will be put to additional
expense to bring them back to the
United States for discharge before June
30, and to forward regiments to Manila
to take their places. 1t had been in
tended by Secretary Root to begin the
return movement next Tuesday, and
me regiment may tart on that day,
but 1t Is intended to maintain the force
In the islands at $4,000 men, and in or
der not to fall below this limit IT will be
necessary to retain troops which should
be on their way to San Francisco.
There is a disposition to criticise the
senate. which is responsible for holding
UP the army measure. The president
and Secretary Root pointed out In the
strongest terms the necessity of expe-
dition and the house acted promptly.
Regarding the necessity Of immediate
reorganization, Adjutant General Cor
bin said:
THE department is hopeful that
there will be no delay in the subject Of
army reorganization Immediately after
congress convene There will be
considerable detail involved in the or
ganization OF the new regiments and
enlistment and dispatch of additional
men to fill vacancies existing in the
regiments OF the regular service which
VIII remain In the archipelago, but L
am satisfied this car be attended to
with reasonable expedition once con-
gress gives the necessary authority"
Few establishments.
1t Is apparent to the authorities that
there will be comparatively few re-en-
listments OF men serving in the Philip
pines. General Macarthur recently OBJ
tanned reports from company officers,
who sounded the men under their COM
mand, and most Of them announced
their purpose to return home as soon
as their enlistments expired. 1t Is prob
able that after visiting their homes
many OF the men will be ready to re-
enlist, but the val department is not
counting upon any considerable mum,
Der n expects the new regiments
Will be made up Of raw material. The
department is trying to retain as many
soldiers as possible and Is
prepared TO pay a bonus OF $3.50 to each
man in the Philippines who will re-en-
list and remain on the islands.
AS a result of the concentration OF
American troops In Luzon there have
been fewer engagements with the reb-
els tina when General MacArthur's
command was widely scattered. The
Filipinos are trying to avoid combat
with the American troops during the
dry season, reserving their energies UNI
til the rainy season. General MacAr-
thur is obtaining information regard
Ing the whereabouts Of insurgent
bands, and when II Is possible TO catch
them troops are sent to destroy their
organization and capture as many of
their weapons as possible. Because Of
the guerrilla nature of the warfare Il
Is impossible to carry out a definite
plan OF campaign, but General MacAp-
thur Is showing considerable activity,
and provided the dilatoriness OF con
gress does not result In the reduction of
his force it is believed he will be able
to control the situation.
President Mckinley has given Cen
eral Macarthur to understand he de-
sires the rebellion crushed during he
present dry season, and the military
commander Is doing everything in his
power to carry out the wishes of the
chief executive, but in army circles 1t
Is not believed he will be successful.