The Van Buren press., 1901-07-27
ADMINISTRATION REFORM.
at Manils, Between Generals Cor
bin and Chaffee.

Manila, July 23.-The conferences
between Adj't.-Gen. Corbin and uen
Chatfee, recently held here, will prob
ably result in radical economical and
administrative reforms in the army
of occupation. 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 principal
change will be the reduction OF the
present force to between 10000 and
10000 men.
Concentration of Forces.
The abolishment of the present
army districts is contemplated, and
three brigades, with permanent head
quarters at Manila, Dagupan and llo-
ilo or Cebu, will be instituted in their
stead. The troops will be conccn-
trated at three points selected, alan
doning all minor posts. These changes
will result in an enormous saving in
the transportation of supplies and the
payment of rental for barracks for
the soldiers. At present, in most
towns, the troops are quartered in
churches, converts and public and p,i.
vate buildings, for the use of which
considerable rentals are paid. In the
majority Of other cases, where the
troops do not occupy public buildings,
~ Ia. hn1; ta1c nttl1 ha
for the soldiers quarters if their oc-
cupany is continued, since these re.
gions are pacified and their inhabi.
tants have sworn allegiance to the
United States.
Construction of Barracks.
Adj't.-Gen. Corbin and Gen. Chaffee
have decided upon the construction OF
barracks at the pumping station
(about six miles from Manila) and the
source Of the city's water supply, to
accommodate three regiments of in
fantry, one of cavalry and eight bat
teries of artillery, as well as gen.
eral commissary and quartermaster'
storehouse, to cost 100000. The erec-
tion Of this latter building will re-
duce expenses by 100000 a month, be-
ing the rentals paid for the commits
sary and quartermaster store houses
in Manila alone. An electric railway,
connecting the docks on the Pasg
river and the new store house, will be
constructed.
A single General Hospital.
Generals Corbm and Chaffee have
also decided upon one single general
military hospital to replace the seven
military hospitals in Manila and vi.
cinity; one of the latter buildings will
be converted into n hospital.
The reduction Of the great fleet of
government launches and small gov
ernment steamers has already begun,
Permanent barracks have been
erected at Dagupan to accommodate
all the troops necessary to northern
Luzon.
Government vessels will carry sup.
plies for the southern brigade from
the United States direct to Iloilo.
without touching at Manila.
The InsuIRr ConStabuiary.
The insular constabulary is now be.
ing organized. 1t will be maintained
by the insular government, and Is ex.
pected TO be amply able to preserve
peace and enforce the law. This con.
stabulary will, as general rule, be
armed with rifles, but its members
have been given 5000 shot guns and
1000 carbines relinquished by the
army.
The telegraph system throughout
the archipelago, established by the
signal corps, has been taken over by
the civil government.
Much wheeled transportation, for
merly belonging TO the army, has al.
ready been disposed Of.
Concentration 10 Begin In November.
The concentration OF the troops In
Manila, Dagupan, Iloilo or Cebu will
begin at the close OF the rainy sea-
son, next November.
Adjt.-Gcn. Corbin is sailing in the
southern archipelago on the trans.
port Lawton.
From there he will go direct TO
China, returning TO the United States