Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-11-28
Volunteers to Be Mustered Out on
Signing of the Treaty of Peace.
ENTITLED TO HONORABLE DISCHARGE
Regulars to Replace the Citizen
Soldiery in the Philippines.
THE DEPARTMENTS POLICY

The signing Of treaty OF reace between
Spain and the United States as a result OF
the negotiations at Paris will be followed
promptly by the disbandment OF the voiun-
teer army of the United States Adjutant
Gen. Corbin is authority for this statement.
He said to a Star reporter today that the
muster Out of the entire volunteer army
would be the natural and logical result of
an agreement between the two governments
for a total cessation Of hostilities. In his
opinion, the signing OF the peace treaty
would justify the dlsbandment of the vol
unteer forces. which were called into serv-
ice simply for the prosecution Of the war,
regardless of the fact that the treaty as
signed would still be subject to the action
of the Spanish cortes snr the Senate Of the
United States.
significance of the signing.
The signing of the treaty VIII be accepted
by the officers of the administration as
proof positive Of the desire of both govern
ments for peGce ard indicating that Il
resumption OF hostilties on the part OF
either under existing conditions is extreme
ly improbable and unjustifiabe. Consc-
quenty the administration will proceed on
the assumption that the signing Of the
treaty means that the war is at an end,
and, as the first step in that direction, Will
arrange for the muster out OF The volunteer
forces.
The United States army now numbers
about 16oN0U men. of which number 10000
are volunteers. The latter were enliSte1
for term of two years, un,ess the war
should be ended within a shorter period.
The officials of the War Department hold
that, under the terms of their enlistment,
the volunteers will be entitled to an honor
able discharge as soon after the signing OF
the treaty of peace as the matter can be
arranged.
To rieet such situation. the President
and the Secretary of War will urge upon
Congress the imperative necessity for an
immediate increase of the regular army to
at least 100000 men.
The regular army now includes little
over 6oob0 men, and the increase is con-
sidered absolutely essential to the eXecu-
ton of the policy of the government for
the maintenance of order in the outlying
territory which has come under its juris-
diction as result of the war with pain.
1t is recognized that a strong military
force will be required for some time to meet
the changed order OF things in the Philip
pines and In Cuba. while smaller NUM-
Der of troops will also be needed in Porto
Rico and Hawaii
To Recall Troops From Philippines.
The present policy of the War Depart
ment is to recall all the volunteer troops in
the Philippines and the other new posses
sions and to replare them as rapidly as
possible with regular troops. 1t is esti-
mated that there are about 10000 volunteer
troops in the Philippines. most of the re
mainder being ehcamped in southern camps
preparing for embarkation to Cuba. Small
er deta chnents are in Cuba. Porto Rico an
Hawaii The execution of this policy viii
require considerable time. and Congress
will have ample opportunity to act upon
the proposition for Al increase of the reg
ular army before, any material reduction
will be made in the volunteer forces on duty
in any of the new possessions.
The circumstances of the case will pre-
vent any immediate reduction of the pres
ent force il the Philippines until arrange
ments can be effected to replace the volun-
teers summoned home for muster out.
To Keep Up the Garris0ns.
Although arrangements will be made for
the discharge Of the entire volunteer army
no action will be taken for reduction OF
the military forces in the Philippines, or in
Cuba. Porto Rico or Hawaii, until il is Der
fectly safe to do so either by the action Of
Congress in increasing the regular army or
because of the peaceful condition of the
rev possessions.
Many OF the volunteer regiments in Ma
Mia have asked. through the governors anG
congressman Of their states. for their re-
turn. but the War Department has NOT
that end. 1t is probable that the nre,
troops mustered out will include those tha:
have been organized for service in Cuba