Adams County news. [volume] (Ritzville, Wash.) 1898-1906, 1901-07-24
ARMY EXPENSES. 70 Be cut
CHANGES IN THE PHILIPPINES
Reduction Saves Sixty Per Cent-2O, 900
to 10000 Men Retained There-Army
to be ConcentI ated-Hospitals to Co
Electric Line for Manila.

Manila July 24.-The conference be-
tween Adjutant General Corbin and Gen
eral Chaffee recently held here will prob
ably result in radical economical and ad-
ministrative reforms in the army of oc-
cupation. 1t is estimated that the total
cost of maintaining the American army in
the Philippines can be reduced by 60 per
cent in the course of one year. The prin-
cipal change will be the reduction of the
present force to between 10000 and 10000
men. The adjustment of the present army
districts is contemplated and three bri-
gades with permanent headquarters at
, Manila, Dagupan and Iloilo or Cebu, will
be instituted in their stead. The troops
will be concentrated at the three points
selected, abandoning all minor points.
The changes will result in an enormous
saving in transportation of supplies and
the paying of detail barracks expenses.
At present in most towns the troops are
quartered in churches, converts and pub.
lie and private buildings, for the use OF
which considerable rentals are paid. In
the majority of other cases where the
troops do not occupy any public buildings
it is believed rental should be paid fol
soldiers quarters if their occupancy is
continued, since these regions are pacified
| and their inhabitants have sworn allegi
| ance to the United States.
Adjutant General Corbin and General
Chafiee have decided upon the construc.
ton of barracks at the pumping stations
about six miles from Manila, and the
source of the city's water supply, to ac
commodate three regiments of infantry
one of cavalry and eight batteries of ar
tillery as well as general commissary
and quartermaster's storehouse at cosi
of 100000. The erection of this latter
building will reduce expenses by $4,000
month, being the rentals paid for the
commissary and quartermaster store
houses in Manila alone. An electric rail
way connecting the docks on the Pasie
river and the new storehouse will be con
structed.
I Generals Corbin and Chafree have also
decided upon one single general military
hospital to replace the seven military hos
pitfalls in Manila and vicinity. The re
duction of the great fleet of government
launches and small government steamer
has already begun. Permanent barracks
have been erected at Dagupan to accom-
modate all the troops necessary to north
ern Luzon. Government vessels will car
ry supplies for the southern brigade from
the United States direct to lloilo without
touching at Manila.
The insular constabulary is now bein:
differed. 1t will be maintained by the in
sular government and is expected to b.
amply able to preserve peace and enforce
rthe law. This constabulary will, as
general rule, be armed with rifles, bu
its members have been given 5000 shot
guns and 1000 ponies relinquished by tn
army.
The telegraph system throughout tn
archipelago established by the signal corp
has been taken over by the civil govern
ment. Much wheeled transportation, for
merly belonged to the army, has alread,
been disposed Of
The concentration of troops at Manila
Dagupan, Iloilo or Cebu will begin at tn
close of the rainy season next November
As further measure of economy arrange
ments are being effected to stop buyin,
by various civilians and civilian govern
ment employees of commissary stores here
tofore sold them at the army rates.
Adjutant General Corbn will sail for tn
southern archipelago on the transpor
Lawton. From there he will go direc
J to China, returning to the United State
by the way of Vancouver.