The Press. (Stafford Springs, Conn.) 1883-1935, 1901-04-04
Washington Letter.

&@ washington, April /, 1901.
Fred Funston Is now brigadier gen.
eral In the regular army, thanks to the
action of the president. 1t is not credit
able to army officers to be trying to be-
little such acts as Gen. Funston's cap
[ture1of Aguinaldo, because of their oppo-
sition to a volunteer officer being made a
bEigadier general In the regular army,
which was the only military reward the
president could give Funston, the new
army law specifically stating that no vol
upteer officer should be given commits
sion In the regular army between that of
lieutenant and brigadier general. The
president promptly appointed Funston a
brigadier regardless of the opposition of
army officers and their friends. Funston's
admirers rejoice that he did so at once,
as they know that the army ring can WELD
a3powerful influence, and they feared that
iEgiven time enough to get concentrated
upon the president, it might have sue
ceeded in preventing the appointment.
This fight against Funston, which may be
carried into the q. s. senate to try to
ptevent the confirmation of his nomina-
tiDn, is merely revival of the old old
fight of the West Pointers against the
outsiders, which has been going on for
many years. The headquarters of the
West Pointers may be said to be in Ad-
jutant General Corbin's office, although
ne is not West Pointer himself. Gen.
Cprbin Is man of undoubted ability, but
itlis we'll known fact that he is now a
major general, more through political
and petticoat influences exerted under va
ribus administrations than because of his
military service or accomplishments. 1t
islregarded as Corbin's influence that pre-
vented Secretary Root sending congratu-
lations to either Macarthur or Funston
Secretary Long had congratulated both
officers in his cablegram to Admiral
Reamey, as we'll as thanked them for
their praise Of the navy for its assistance.
Secretary Root and Gen. Corbin would
better be very careful unless they wish to
become very unpopular. The public does
not care rap about rivalry between
West Pointers and outsiders In the army,
but It admires bravery and daring and de-
sifes, nay, demands, that 1t shall be re-
warded wherever found. Senator Burton
voiced public opinion when he said, just
after urging the president to announce
Funston's appointment to be brigadier
general: Funston has the quality OF
ability that gets there 1t does not
make any difference how he does it, but
he gets there,-whether 1t Is by beating
the Fiiipinos at their own tricks, or swim.
ming streams, or just plain, hard hand
to-hand fighting. We expected to have
him made a brigadier general In the reg
ular army. That was certainly not toe
much to ask as a reward for such an ex
ploit."
Officials expect that the capture of Ag
uinaldo and the surrender of other Fill
plno officers and men will make it unnec
essary to keep as large an army in th'
Philippines as was planned for when con
gress passed the army bill, and, If report
from Gen. Macarthur and the Philippine
commission bear out those expectations
orders are likely to be Issued limiting
the number of men to be recruited unde
that law, which provides for regula
army OF 100000. What the limit will b
will, Of course, depend upon future re
ports.
1t is regarded as certain that the presi
dent will appoint Musician Calvin P. TT
tus, company E, fourteenth infantry,
cadet at large to the military academy a
!, West Point, for conspicuous bravery Il
China. The following petition, signed b.
every officer serving with the fourteenth
has been received at the war department
During his service Musician Titus ha
proven himself to be trustworthy, In
telligent, sober, brave and thorough sol
dier. On August 14th, 1900, at Pekin
China, he was the first American to seal
the wall of the Chinese city and ente
Pekin. On the following day, while er
gagged In the fight In the imperial city, h
received slight wound. His meritoriou
conduct deserves recognition, and 1t
believed that If given an appointment t
West Point and a commission upon grao
uation, Musician Titus will make an ez
cellent officer"
Senator Platt of Connecticut, author {
Itbo forv,,o for witt h dro vr,inu from, 6.nhc
said of those terms Some people, bot
here and In Cuba, assert that we seek
establish a protectorate, but this is er
tirely misconception. The acceptanc
of the terms proposed will not establish
protectorate In any sense that the wor
has ever been used in international Law
The situation is unique, and the relation
t between US and Cuba will be unique, an
r may be properly expressed by saying ths
the U. s desires to become the guarante
of Cuban independence and the stabilit
. OF it's government. The right Of inte
vention, which we insist upon, is only
be exercised to that end, and only whe
o necessary for that purpose. 1t will n,
authorize any interference on the part
our government In Cuban affairs, unles
circumstances arise which require that v
d should act to preserve their indepen,
It euce, or insure tranquility, and such
; step could only be taken as the result
deliberate action by congress. The CT
ban republic will be comparatively wea
and unable by itself to cope with problem
very likely to arise both as to its foreie
policy and domestic conditions. It ms
Is need the assistance of the q. S., and, 1