CONGRESS. (TiiE PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE.; 



157 



of a chain of cables which at each stopping place 

 shall touch on American territory, so that the 

 system shall be under our own complete control. 

 Manila once within telegraphic reach, connection 

 with the systems of the Asiatic coast would open 

 increased and profitable opportunities for a more 

 direct cable route from our shores to the Orient 

 than is now afforded by the transatlantic, conti- 

 nental, and transasian lines. I urge attention to 

 this important matter. 



The present strength of the army is 100,000 

 men 65,000 regulars and 35,000 volunteers. 

 Under the act of March 2, 1899, on the 30th of 

 June next the present volunteer force will be 

 discharged and the regular army will be reduced 

 to 2,447 officers and 29,025 enlisted men. 



In 1888 a board of officers convened by President 

 Cleveland adopted a comprehensive scheme of 

 coast-defense fortifications, which involved the out- 

 lay of something over $100,000,000. This plan re- 

 ceived the approval of the Congress, and since then 

 regular appropriations have been made and the 

 work of fortifications has steadily progressed. 



More than $60,000,000 have been invested in a 

 great number of forts and guns, with all the 

 complicated and scientific machinery and electri- 

 cal appliances necessary for their use. The proper 

 care of this defensive machinery requires men 

 trained in its use. The number of men neces- 

 sary to perform this duty alone is ascertained by 

 the War Department, at a minimum allowance, to 

 be 18,420. 



There are 58 or more military posts in the United 

 States other than the coast-defense fortifications. 



The number of these posts is being constantly 

 increased by the Congress. More than $22,000,000 

 have been expended in building and equipment, 

 and they can only be cared for by the regular 

 army. The posts now in existence and others to 

 be built provide for accommodations for, and if 

 fully garrisoned require, 26,000 troops. Many of 

 these posts are along our frontier or at important 

 strategic points, the occupation of which is neces- 

 sary. 



We have in Cuba between 5,000 and 6,000 troops. 

 For the present our troops in that island can not 

 be withdrawn or materially diminished, and cer- 

 tainly not until the conclusion of the labors of 

 the constitutional convention now in session and 

 a government provided by the new constitution 

 shall have been established and its stability as- 

 sured. 



In Porto Rico we have reduced the garrisons to 

 1,636, which includes 879 native troops. There is 

 no room for further reduction here. 



We will be required to keep a considerable force 

 in the Philippine Islands for some time to come. 

 From the best information obtainable we will 

 need there for the immediate future from 45,000 

 to 60,000 men. I am sure the number may be re- 

 duced as the insurgents shall come to acknowledge 

 the authority of the United States, of which there 

 are assuring indications. 



It must be apparent that we will require an 

 army of about 60,000, and that during present 

 conditions in Cuba and the Philippines the Presi- 

 dent should have authority to increase the force 

 to the present number of 100,000. Included in this 

 number authority should be given to raise native 

 troops in the Philippines up to 15,000, which the 

 Taft Commission believe will be more effective in 

 detecting and suppressing guerrillas, assassins, 

 and ladrones than our own soldiers. 



The full discussion of this subject by the Secre- 

 tary of War in his annual report is called to your 

 earnest attention. 



I renew the recommendation made in my last 



annual message that the Con^re.^s provide a spe- 

 cial medal of honor for the volunleei , regulars, 

 sailors, and marines on duly in tin- Philippines 

 who voluntarily remained in the service after their 

 terms of enlistment had expired. 



1 favor the recommendation of the Secret ,;iry of 

 War for the detail of officers from the line of the 

 army when vacancies occur in the adjutarit- 

 general's department, inspector-general".-; depart- 

 ment, quartermaster's department, sul^.iM.ence 

 department, pay department, ordnance depart- 

 ment, and signal corps. 



The army can not be too highly commended for 

 its faithful and effective service in active mili- 

 tary operations in the held and the difficult work 

 of civil administration. 



The continued and rapid growth of the postal 

 service is a sure index of the great and increasing 

 business activity of the country. Its most striking 

 new development is the extension of rural free 

 delivery. This has come almost wholly within the 

 last year. At the beginning of the fiscal year 1899- 

 1900 the number of routes in operation was only 

 391, and most of these had been running less than 

 twelve months. On the 15th of November, 1900, 

 the number had increased to 2,614, reaching into 

 44 States and Territories, and serving a population 

 of 1,801,524. The number of applications now 

 pending and awaiting action nearly equals all 

 those granted up to the present time, and by the 

 close of the current fiscal year about 4,000 routes 

 will have been established, providing for the daily 

 delivery of mails at the scattered homes of about 

 3,500,000 of rural population. 



This service ameliorates the isolation of farm 

 life, conduces to good roads, and quickens and ex- 

 tends the dissemination of general information. 

 Experience thus far has tended to allay the appre- 

 hension that it would be so expensive as to forbid 

 its general adoption or make it a serious burden. 

 Its actual application has shown that it increases 

 postal receipts, and can be accompanied by reduc- 

 tions in other branches of the service, so that the 

 augmented revenues and the accomplished sav- 

 ings together materially reduce the net cost. The 

 evidences which point to these conclusions are 

 presented in detail in the annual report of the 

 Postmaster-General, which, with its recommen- 

 dations, is commended to the consideration of the 

 Congress. The full development of this special 

 service, however, requires such a large outlay of 

 money that it should be undertaken only after a 

 careful study and thorough understanding of all 

 that it involves. 



Very efficient service has been rendered by the 

 navy in connection with the insurrection in the 

 Philippines and the recent disturbance in China. 



A very satisfactory settlement has been made 

 of the long-pending question of the manufacture 

 of armor-plate. A reasonable price has been se- 

 cured and the necessity for a Government armor 

 plant avoided. 



I approve of the recommendations of the Secre- 

 tary for new vessels and for additional officers and 

 men which the required increase of the navy makes 

 necessary. I commend to the favorable action of 

 the Congress the measure now pending for the 

 erection of a statue to the memory of the late Ad- 

 miral David D. Porter. I commend also the estab- 

 lishment of a national naval reserve and of the 

 grade of vice-admiral. Provision should be made, 

 as recommended by the Secretary, for suitable 

 rewards for special merit. Many officers who 

 rendered the most distinguished service during the 

 recent war with Spain have received in return no 

 recognition from the Congress. 



The total area of public lands as given by the 



