Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-07-23
ECONOMICAL REFORM
Inaugurated at Manila in the Mill
tary Department by Gener-
al Corbin.
VERY MUCH MONEY Is TO BE SAVED
Number of Troops to Be About 10000
In the Islands-the Insular
Constabulary.

tween Adjutant General CoTbin and
General Chaffee, recently held here.
will probably result in radical eco
nomicaI and administrative reforms in
the army of occupation. 1t is esti-
mated that the total cost of maintain
ing the United States army in the
Philippines can be reduced by 60 per
cent. in the cost of one year. The
principal change will be the reduction
of the present force to between 10000
and 10000 men. The aboliShment OF
the present army districts is contem-
plated and three brigades, with per-
manent headquarters at Manila. Dagu-
pan and Iloilo or Cebu. will be insti-
tuted in their stead. The troops Will
be concentrated at three points select
ed. abandoning all miner posts. These
changes will result In an enormous saw,
ing in the tranSportatien of supplies
and the paving of rental for barracks
for the soldiers.
Barracks for the Troops.
At present. in post towns, the troops
are quartered i'm churches. converts
and public 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. ii is believed rental
should he paid for the soldiers quar-
terS if their occupancy is continued.
since these regions are pacitied and
their inhabitants have sworn allegi-
ance to the United States. Adiutant
General COrbin and General 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 accom-
niodate three regiments of infantry one
of cavalry and eight batteries Of ar
tillery. as well as n general commits
Sary and QuartermaSter'S storehouSe.
to cost 100000.
viii save SEQ. 900 Each Month.
The erection of the 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
railroad connecting the docks on the
Pasig river and the now stOrehouse
will be constructed. Generals COrbin
and Chaffee have also decided upon
one single general military hospital, TO
replace the seven military hospitals in
Manila and vicinity: one of the latter
buildings will he converted into hos
pital The reduction of the great fleet
of government launches and small gov
ernment steamers has already begun
Permanent barracks have been erected
at Dagupan ia accommodate all the
troops necessary to northern LuZon.
Organizing an InsuIar Constabulary.
The insular eonstabulary is now be-
ing organized. 1t will he maintained
by the insular government. and is eX-
pected to he amply able to preserve
peace and enforce the law. This con-
stabulary will. as q general rule. he
armed with rifles. but its members
have been given 5000 shOtguns 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
government. Much wheeled transpor-
tation. formerly belonging to the army,
has already been disposed of.
Concentration of the Forces.
The concentration Of the troops to
Manila. Dagupan. Iloilo or Cebu will
begin at the close of the rainy season
next November. As n further meas
ure for economy arrangements are be
ing perfected TO stop the buying by
various civilians and civil government
employees of commisSary stores. here
tofore sold them at the army rates.
Adjutant General Corbin Will sail from
the southern archipelago on the trans
port I.awton. He will go direct TO
China. returning to the United States
via Vancouver.