New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-05-03
COST OF PHILIPPINE WAR.
\ GIGANTIC TASK TO COMPILE THE IN
FORMATION WANTED BY THE SENATE.

Washington. May 2,-Secretary Root Is writing to
Senator Culberson explanation of the reason
why the War Department thus far has made
Spouse to the Senate resolution of April l. calling
for and detailed Of the of the
war In the Philippines This is in answer to crtt
cisms made by certain Senators to the effect that
the department was pIrposely suppressing infor-
nation on this subject The Secretary Will show
that from the moment the resolution received
every one of the supply bureaus Of the War De-
partment has been engaged In collecting material
for the answer. The Secretary had explained
Senator Culberson he thought. the great diff
culties connected with the collection Of the infor
nation he desired. and its compilation would
require the service OF large part OF the clerks In
the department for a considerable time the Secre-
tary did feel justified in dverting them from
their necessary regular employment the request
OF a single Senator. AS soon. however as the
United States Senate by resolution called for the
information, the entire machinery OF the depart
ment was put in motion the demand
The difficulties in the way of making a salts
factory response were enormous. and in many in
stances it found actually impossible answer
specific questions by approximate statements This
is true, notwithstanding the fact that all of
depot and supply officers here and in the Phil
ippines have been called on, wherever they were
acquainted with any Of the facts desired Partcu-
lar difficulties attend the sitting out OF the &C
counts the transportation service so as to show
the actual cost Of the Philippine soldiers alone.
Railroad accounts often in the lump, and con-
tracts having been made with one company, IL is
not possible follow thc payments clc--r through
the sub-cOntracting companies. In some cases
too the supplies furnished in Cuba, the United
States OF Alaska. were carried TO China by moving
regiments. and the reverse also true In the
matter of payment of troops tan important factor
in the calculation of actual cost of the Philippine
soldiery) indefinite element is injected By the
practice of making bimonthly payments. so that
moneys often were disbursed in the Philippines TO
the troops for services rendered in the United
States. Cuba Alaska before their departure The
converse of the proposition also true. The de-
partment knows exactly where every cent of ex-
penditure went. and these figures are be had
through the auditor for the War Department bur
the difficulty in the is show how the sun
plies and expenditures were distributed.
Another point that further complexities the whole
question is the requirement Of law that the army
shall be maintained at minimum OF
nfty-nine thousand men. There is such force in
the United States now, but II the surplus were not
in the Philippines the War Department would have
to quarter and supply the men here, so that the
item of expense on that account would remain con-
slant regardless of the Philippine instruction at
least up the total of ifty-nine thousand men
and the question arises whether Secretary Root in
his answer shall cOnside" expenses attributable
TO the Philippine trouble only the of maintain
ing the armys strength above that figure.