The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-07-23
TO REDUCE EXPENSE
GENERALS coRBIN AND CHAP
 FEE IN CONFERENCE.
Estimated That a Saving of 60 Per Cent Can Be Accomplished in
 One Year-The \.
 Plans. ros

Manila, July 22.-The conference be- tween Adjutant-General Corbin and Gen erai -Chaffee. recently held here, will probably result in radical economical and administrative reforms in the army of occupation.
 It is estimated the total cost of main- taining the American Army in the Philip pines can be reduced by 60 per cent. in one year. The principal change will be reduction of the present force to between twenty and thirty thousand men. The is contemplated and three Ilrigades with permanent headquarters at Manila. Dagu- pan and lloilo or Cebu, will be instituted in their stead. The troops will be con- centrated at three points selected. aban- doning all minor posts. The changes will result in an enormous saving in the transportation of supplies and the paying of rental for barracks for the soldiers.
 At present, in most towns, the troops are quartered in churches convents, 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 public buildings. 1t is believed rentals should be paid for the soldiers quarters If their occupancy is cor tinued, since ttese regions are pacihed and their iphabitants have sworn alle- giabce.
 Adiutant- General Corbin and General Chaffee have decided upon the construc- tioh of barracks at the pumping station (about six miles from Manila and the
 
 commoiate three regiments of infantry, one of cavalry and eight batteries Of ar tillery. as well as general commlssary and quartermaster storehouse to cost $lO0,00O.
 The erection of this building will re- duce expenses by $2o.UO a month. peing the rentals paid for the commissary ana qIartermaster storehouses in Manila alcne. An electric railroad connecting the decks on the Pasig River and the new storehouse will be constructed
 Generals Corbin and Chaffee have also decided upon one single general miii- tary hospital tosreplace the seven mill tary hospitals in Manila and vicinity; one of the latter buildings will be converted into a hospital
 The reduction of the great fleet of the Government launches and small Govere- ment steamers has already been done: Permanent barracks have been erected at necessary to Northern Luzon: Govern ment vessels will carry supplies for the southern brigade to hoiic with the change at Manila. The n- sular constabulary is now being organ ized It will be maintained by the insu- lar Government and is expected t. be amply able to preserve peace ana en- force the law. This constaeuiary VII as A general rule, be armed with rin3s, but It's members haVe been given o.o00 shot guns and 2,OGO ponies relinquished oy the army
 archipelago, established by the signal corps, has been taken over by the ciVh government.
 Much wheeled transportation, formerly belonging to the army, has already been disposed of.
 The concentration of the troops at Da- supan. Iloilo or Cebu will begin at the close of the rainy season next November.
 As further measure of economy, ar engagements are being perfected to stop the buying by the various civilians and civil government employees of commits sary stores. heretofore sold them at the army rates.