The Washington times., 1906-04-26
Fort Mason.


lowing advices from General GreeIy at
San Francisco this morning:
Fort Mason.
san Francisco April y.
Desire especially 20 call attention Of
Secretary OF War and chief OF StaT 10
necessity for additional troops. Not
only is the present force Inadequate to
fully guard the interests of the city. but
they have been necessarily overwo-ked
In the past, and are overtaxed today.
Distances are simply enormous. and
conditions demanding military action
can hest be subserved by sending s
large force OF mounted men as is
practicable
The spirit and conduct Of the troops.
officers and men, having maintained the
high standing Of American army. and
a continuance OF physical stress and
nendal responsibility is not advisable IN
me present high tension Of affairs
"GREELY-"
Fort Mason.
san Francisco. April ..
My request Of April .. for 25Oo ad-
ditionaI troops was made after the most
careful consideration. and IS a mini
mum number Of troops outside this di-
vision considered absolutely essential 10
comply with reasonable requirements
OF civil authorities OF State and citv,-ses;
before stated. the number is only one
half that 1 was strongly urged to .-e-
quest for. It is recognized that N,
present use Of the army in the 1lnpre-
cedented disaster ia California is be-
y7ond the strict letter OF the law. and
extreme caution has been and will be
exercised 20 avoid any complications.
the division commander realizing the
responsibility devoivins upon him. The
interests OF the War Department have
been scrupulously guarded bv insisrinr
on requests being reduced 10 writing.
The municipal authorities are practical
" helpless. their conditions having been
set forth in kilograms this morning.
Conditions POTtentous of Trouble.
1T is not understood what are the
recent developments which caused the
department TO consider prospective con-
ditions as favorable 10 reduced mill
tary force Every effort is made to keep
IN touch with affairs everywhere through
-rained inspectors. They report today
conditions in the poorest district which
are portentOus of difficulty unless care
FULLY handled BY competent and exDeri-
enced ofhcers- Supplies and shelter are
available for additional troops who VIII
De Quartered largely in small darach-
Should conditions render II fmprs--
IcaDie 10 furnish entire number OF adj
dlllonai troops requested, every effort
VII oe made on the part of myself and
ne rest OF the army 10 faithfully and
enciently handle the situation The ut-
most conservatism with efficient aid of
the municipal authorities and the people
has been the rule
ESTlmat ties from various sources Dlsce
Ihe destitute between two hundred tho,l-
81 no and quarter OF million which
leaves me but one soldier 10 every
nunured destitute people. and the addi-
ucnal force would give only two 10 the
hundred While inclined myself to placs.
number somewhat below 200 COO Vet tho
Judgment of others cannot be safely
ignored l hope within two or three
days TO have matters so i'm hand as 10
state quite clearly the situation as re-
CARDS numbers. conditions. approximate
expenses per day, and other factors of
vital Importance. GREELYr
The 2.500 additional troops from out
side the Pacific division. requested by
General Greedy. viii probably be or
dered to San Francisco this afternoon.
Secretary Taft and his advisers in the
War Department are lOath TO send re-
endorsements 10 San Francisco, but
General Greely'S request seemed 10 in
dicate the urgency of the situation.
Secretary Taft conferred with the
President today in reference to the mat
ter Pending the President decision,
orders were not issued