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Show MCnntTT ON FILIPINOB. MM We Miontil Olte Them liar Illrulnf n,l Let Tlim '" Chleago. Deo. 17. Major Oeneral Merrltt, retiring military governor of the Philippine, aeoompanled by hla bride, formerly Miss Laura Williams, and his chief aide. Major Strother, has nrrlved In this city from New York. Oeneral and Mrs. Msrrllt will remain at the residence of Norman Williams. Mrs. Merrill's father, until after the holidays, when they will return to New York City, where the general will resume hit position oa commander ot the departmcul of the cast, which ho left ta go to Manila. In regard to the Inhabitants of tho l'lilllpplno Islands, Oeneral Merrltt aald: "Tho test we can do Is to glre them a good military goremment, giro them what civilian aro ueoeisary to administer admin-ister tho civil function of government and when they are redy to form a government ot their own. glre them our blessings and let them do to." When atked what ho thought of tho proposed Increase In thestandlngarmy to 100,000 men, the general declared ho had always bellercd such sn Increase wat necettsry. "Wo need n standing army of at least 7S.000 men here In the United States," lie declared. "Now that wo haro acquired these new territories, we shall need a few more. Hut, In my belief, 55,000 men are ample and sufllc-lent sufllc-lent for all possible emergencies In Cutis, l'orto ltlco nnd tho Philippine together. Tho real are needed In tho United Stole for garrlton duty. If a larger force I wanted In tho Philip-pines, Philip-pines, it can easily be had from nruong the natives." |