The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-01-08
DEFEATED IN THESENATB
Proposition to Create an Army
Veterinary Corps Rejected.
Discussion on the Reorganization
Bill Resumed-Mr. Teller Offers n
Lodge Gives Reasons for EnIarg-
ing the Military Establishment


the time and attention of the Senate yes
| terday and went over without final &C
| ton. The discussion was on the amend
ment of the Senate Military Committee to
strike out of the bill the House PROPOSE
! ton to create a veterinary corps. The
| great weight of argument was against that
proposition, and 1t was finally defeated
by vote of 40 to 5. The bill is still
| open to amendment, and a substitute has
been offered for it by Mr.. Teller, con-
tinuing for three years the Army bill Ct
last session.
After routine business had been dis
posed of the bill was taken up and
Mr.. Pettigrew Immediately demanded
that the Committee on Military Affairs at
once furnish the Senate with some infor-
| nation as to the need of an army of l09,-
900 men. The information had been re-
fused by the President, he stated and he
wanted it before they proceeded further.
MIR. Hawley replied that Mr. Pettigrew
had had all of the information he was
liable to get
Mr.. Butler then demanded that the SEN
ate be supplied with some reasons why
a large standing army should be toisted
upon the country. 1t was strange, he said,
that only the canteen evidence was
printed.
lit was the only evidence interesting
to the public said Mr.. Burrows.
THAT is strange" said Mr.. Butler 81
suppose the public is willing to have a
large standing army on its shoulders so
long as that army is not allowed the use
of the canteen."
The incident passed and the considera-
ton of the bill was proceeded with, the
question being On the substitute reported
BY the Military Committee for section
20 Of the House bill creating the veteri-
nary corps.
Mir. Kenney argued against the substi-
tute and in favor of the House provision.
At the close of his remarks, Mr.. Kenney
expressed his readiness to vote for an in
crease of the army for three years
Mr.. Sewell, a member of the Military
Committee, opposed the creation of a vet
Urinary corps, and said the proposition was
a deliberate attempt on the part Of vet
erinarians all over the country to get
commissions in the army. He quoted Sec
rotary Roots statement to the committee
denying the assertion made on the floor
of the House that tho President, General
Miles, the Quartermaster General, and
General Merritt were all in favor OF a
veterinary corps. They were all, he said,
opposed to it.
Il would have no objection myself"
Mr.. Sewell continued, Ito having veteri-
narians commissioned with the rank and
pay of second lieutenants of cavalry
Mr.. Lodge professed his willingness to
have suitable rank and pay given to vet
erinarians in the army but what the bill
proposed, he said was something very
different from that. 1t was proposed to
create great corps, to take some doc
tor out of civil life. bring him to Wash
ington. cover him with gold lace, and
make him a colonel in the regular army,
over the heads of men who have served
their country all their lives. As to the
argument against a large standing army,
he was not going into that. 1t was all
right enc Of the humors of the cam
paign. but it was not worth serious con-
sideration. Neither would he discuss the
strength of the army required in the
Philippine Islands. What was of infinitely
more Importance according to his view
was to have now a good organization of
the army In answer to a question by
Mr.. Bacon, Mr.. Lodge expressed his be-
lief that within a very short time COM
paratively speaking. there would be peace
and order in the Philippine Archipelago.
Dir. Bacon-The Senator is Chairman of
the Committee on the Philippine Islands,
and / desire to know from him whether
the increase of the army is likely to be
needed for a short time only. or must it
be for an indefinite time?
What does the Senator call a short
time?" Mr. Lodge asked
We'll, say two years" Mr.. Bacon re-
piled
MY own judgment is" said Mr.. Lodge,
that at the end of two Years we will he
able to reduce the army very largely. And
l believe that at the end of twice that
time We will get the army down to the
number which ii will be necessary TO keep
in the Philippines, whatever that may be-
Mr.. Bacon-That is exactly what | want
to know
Mr.. Lodge-Spain had Is 900 men in the
archipelago and order was very badly
kept.
Mr.. Bacon-spain occupied compare
lively small territory.
Mr.. Lodge believe that in ordinary
and normal times we can, with q, 900 men, !
perhaps with $1,000, keep better order in |
the Philippines than existed there under |
Spain.
Mr.. Bacon-Therefore the only army in
crease of permanent character will he |
IL, coo or g, 600 for the Philippine Islands |
Mr.. LODGE did not say that $1,000 or |
20. 900 increase would be enough now
Mr.. Bacon-But within two years?
Mr.. LOdge-Assuming that in normal |
the Philippines that will leave only 5,0C0 |
regulars for all other service--a force
quite inadequate to man the fortificatiOns
at home and to guard the Nicaragua
Canal. We will begin very soon to build
1t. There will be at least 80. 900 ldborers
employed to built it, and the canal must
be policed. When the canal is built you
will have to guard it. l merely mention
that as one of the demands to be met.
am not a military expert, but it seems
10 me that 80 900 men to take care of the
canal and of our Notifications is a very
small force.
Mr.. Foraker-Is not the Senator from
of the opinion that we
might be able to reduce the army TO a
if we could have the support
)f the other side of the chamber in es-
tablishing peace in the Philippine Isl
lnds?
Mr.. Lodge entirely agree with that.
Mr.. Bacon-If IL be true that the ne
,essity for the increase of the army is I
o be lessened in so short time would
t not be in accordance with their theory
hat the army increase should be only
temporary?
Mr.. Lodge-That is the whole theory of
he bill.
Mr. Lodge then went on TO speak of
he bill in its general aspect He said:
L do not believe in the danger of war
with any Power. | do not believe that