The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-04-16
COST OF THE PHILIPPINE WAR.
Enormous Expenditure of Money
and Great Loss of Life.

Hhu 1Eeut LOSS o. hitt.
The War Department officials have de-
cided to have prepared tabulated state
ment giving the total cost of the cam
paign in the Philippines in lives and
money. While the statistics have not yet
been completed, it is estimated that the
cost in money will exceed soc ,573, 900.
According to the statistics in the pos
session of the War Department the cost
in lives will exceed 3.O2s officers and men
who were either killed in action or died
of disease. The figures show that the
archipelago has only been retained at a
of the end are gladly accepted by the
Government officials
As to the cost in money. it is figured
that the expenditures on account of mill
tary and naval operations in the islands
will exceed s173, $50. $50. The United States
paid to Spain under the Treaty of Paris
s2O.00o,Oo0. Later payment of s1oo,0o0
was made for the islands of Cagayan and
Sibutu. The interest on the war loan
since June 30, 1899. is figured at ss,42S 900.
The expense of the Philippine Commission
and miscellaneous matters is given as
more than 100000. This places the total
cost in money at 500 ,5I3. 900.
The expert accountants In the Treasury
Department, who are preparing the fig
ures for the War Department, estimate
that the cost of maintaining the army
and navy has been s245. $50 coo more than
it would have been had war been averted
in the Philippines.
Much of this additional expenditure
would have been entailed, however. 1t is
said had the United States abandoned the
Philippines. This Is claimed to be partic-
ularty true OF the Increased naval expen-
diture, a large portion of which has been
for new construction and other improve
ments not in any way connected with the
instruction.
On the other hand nearly all of the in
creased cost of the army has been caused
by the operations in the Philippines, as
the cost of the occupation OF Cuba and
Porto Rico has been very small. This
is also true of the campaign in China. For
all operations and expenses outside of
the Philippines the sum of 900 is
deducted and this leaves the total expen-
diture for the operations in the archipel-
ago at S173.550. go
War Department officials figure that the
loss of life from actio'. and disease is very
small. when the operations, the duration
OF hostilities, and the rigors of the eli
mate are taken into consideration.
In connection with the Philippines. it is
stated at the War Department that hard
~ three Democratic members of Congress
have taken advantage of the offer of the
Secretary of War to furnish any Senator
or Representative free transportation to
Manila and return whenever he desires It,
On the other hand the Republican MEM
bers have grabbed up the offer and al
ready more than 100 of them are booked
for the trip. 1t is thought that the Demo-
Gratis are diffident about accepting favors
from Republican Administration, and
the officials wish it understood that all
are welcome to 60
1t IS said at the War Department. unoffi-
cially, that the Republican statesmen
have mono of the Democratic scrupIes
about travelling on an army transport.
II is expected that the Congressional
Record VIII be loaded down with
speeches on the Philippines when Con-
gress convenes