The Lewiston teller. (Lewiston, Idaho) 1900-1905, 1901-07-25
Army EXPENSES 70 Be CUT
CHANGES IN THE PHILIPPINES


tween Adjutant General Corbin and Gen.
eral Chaffee recently held here will proh.
ably result in radical economical and adj.
ministrative reforms in the army of oc.
cupation. 1t is estimated that the tota,
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 tho
present force to between 10000 and 3OOO
men. The adjustment of the present armv
districts is contemplated and three br-
gades with permanent headquarters at
Manila, Dagupan and Iloilo or Cebu, will
be instituted in their stead. The troops
win 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
guartered 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 for
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
Chaffee 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 a cost
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 Pasig
river and the new storehouse will be con-
structed.
Generals Corbin and Chaffee 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 steamers
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
~ supplies for the southern brigade from
the United States direct to Iloilo without
touching at Manila.
The insular constabulary is now being
differed. 1t will be maintained by the in
sular government and is expected to be
amply able to preserve peace and enforce
the law. This constabulary will, as a
general rule, be armed with rifles, but
its members have been given 5000 shot
guns and 1000 ponies relinquished by the
army.
The. telegraph system throughout the
archipelago established by the signal corps
has been taken over by the civil govern
ment. Much wheeled transportation, for
merly belonged to the army, has already
been disposed OF.
The concentration of troops at Manila,
Dagupan, Iloilo or Cebu will begin at the
close of the rainy season next November
As further measure of economy arrange
ments are being effected to stop buying
ny various civilians and civilian govern
ment employees Of commtssary stores here
tofore sold them at the army rates.
Adjutant General Corbin will sail for the
southern archipelago on the transport
Lawton. From there he will go direct
to China. returning to the United States
by the way Of Vancouver.