The San Francisco call., 1898-07-24

~ ALIFORNIA promptly responded
 to both calls of the President for
 volunteers, and without delay 0 filled the quota under each call.
 Apart from this contribution of men for the countrys service fully 2000 Californians have enlisted in the regular army and other organizations. Excellent men for the Third and Sixth United States Artillery, Fourth United States Cavalry, First, Fourteenth, Eighteenth and Twenty-third United States Infantry, and the Engineer, Hospital and Signal corps were recruit ed in San Francisco. In the formation of infantry regiments of the volunteer service preference was given to the men who were associated with the National Guard when the first call was made for troops to go to the front. Due attention, however was given to local considerations, to the end that all sec tions of the State should have repre- sentation in the regimental organiza- tions.
 The celerity of California in respond ing to the call for volunteers and in providing equipment for the troops en- tering the United States service, won from General Merriam and other off cers of the army expressions of con- mendation.
 While everything connected with the enlistment and Organization of the troops is going along with so much satisfaction and precision in this State reports emanate from Washington that California is slow in filling the second quota Coincident with these mislead- ing statements come hints that W. H. H. Hart formerly Attorney General of California, is seeking permission to re- cruit a regiment or brigade in this State; or, rather, asking for assurance from the President that if an inde- pendent brigade is raised it shall be accepted.
 No one in this region of the country is urging Hart to tender troops from California to the President His scheme for raising an army of invasion or de- fense is purely a personal enterprise. His right to tender his own services in any capacity from private to major general is not questioned. Indeed, the acceptance of his services by the War Department would not be profoundly regretted, but the people of this State would regret exceedingly to hear that Hart had been commissioned to open a recruiting office to enroll Califor- nians in the volunteer service of the United States.
 Additional forces can be readily en- rolled in California and if they are needed the President can get them without delay by indicating to the Gov ernor that they would be accepted. Under another call several counties in the mountains would stand a chance of getting larger representation than they were able to secure under the first and second requisition for troops. Nothing in a military sense could be more un- fortunate for California than grant of Federal authority for MT. Hart to raise regiment CT brigade of volun- teers in this State.
 Telegrans sent to Washington in be- half of the Seventh California elicited this response from the Secretary of War:
 Washington. July 19, 1898. Hon. George C. Perkins. San Francisco: I have received many telegrams concern ing the Seventh California. It is the present intention to forward that regiment with the next ex- petition to Manila. Whether that ar rangement will be changed or not will, of course. depend upon the report of Gen eral Merritt The whole matter was left to General Merritt when he went to San Francisco. R. A. ALGER,
 Secretary of War.