The times., 1898-09-07
MUSTER-OUT WILL CEASE |
But Few More Volunteers Are
to Be Discharged.
ARMY MUST AWAIT PEACE
1t Is Decided That in the NeighOr-
hood of One Hundred Thousand
Men ShaII Be Retained in the
Service-WiiI Mobilize for Re
Organiza tiOn.

The plans of the War Department for
the disposition of the volunteer troops
now in service has been made after due
deliberation and consultations with the
governors of States, senator's and repre-
sentatives, and in some cases with the Of
ficers Of the regiments.
Many requests are reaching the Presi-
dent and the department for the muster
ing out of certain troops not designated
thus far in the orders for mastering out,
and many have been refused. 1t has been
definitely decided that an army of at least
600 men, and probably 10000. must be
kept in the field until the ratification OF
the treaty of peace.
The army will be made up of approxi-
mately the full quota of regulars. 10000,
and the remainder of volunteer organiza-
tions. This is rendered necessary by the
plans for the maintenance of an army OF
60, 600 men in Cuba, 5000 in the Philip
pines, 1900 in Porto Rico and 250o0 or
more in this country, the latter TO reha-
bilitate the ranks of the regiments that
suffer from sickness and disease, and If
necessary to replace these regiments en-
tirely
Representative Williams. of Pennsyl-
vania, called at the White House yes
terday, to ask the President to muster
out the Ninth Pennsylvania, now in camp
at Lexington. Mr.. Williams. stated that
the reason for this request was that the
regiment was composed of miners. who
had suffered considerably from sickness
on account of their unaccustomed ex-
posure to the heat. and further that
many of their families were in destitute
circumstances. His request was taken
under consideration.
May Enlist as Regulars.
OF the $4,000 volunteers recently ordered
to be mustered out. a majority. pursuant
to the general plan, are regiments that
have seen service at the front. All such
regiments will be mustered out. but the
men belonging to any OF the volunteer
regiments who desire TO see further SER
vice will have an opportunity to enlist in
the regular army, the additional strength
provided for not having been enlisted by
q considerable number. Whole com
panies, with the exception of the officers.
will be gladly accepted if the men are
physically fit.
In addition to the regiments who were
at the front, the department has Sc
lected regiments designated by the gov
ernors of the different States and in
many cases the regiments who have suf-
fered severely from sickness during their
camp life. The officers in a majority
of the regiments to be retained in the
service, are very joyful over the pros
poets. but the plans are not so pleasing
TO the men, many of them being dissatis-
fed and blaming their officers, accusing
them of false representations in stating
that the men desired to remain in the
service. This is especially true of some
New York regiments.
The volunteer organizations in the
Philippines will remain there until the
questR of the disposition of the ISL
ands is definitely settled. Whether they
will then be designated for garrison du-
ty on the islands is an open question,
but If the Philippines are garrisoned
and the men desire to remain they viii
doubtless be given the opportunity.
An attempt to keep the volunteer regi-
ments in the service against the wishes
of the men after the treaty of peace is
ratified would doubtless be unsuccessful,
as the men are enlisted for two years, or
during the period Of war, unless sooner
discharged, and cannot be compelled to
serve longer.
Several separate organiza tions. such as
the immune regiments, the volunteer en-
gineer regiments, and organiza tons in
the Signal Corps, will desire. TO be re-
tained. and win serve out their two years
term of enlistment
Complete Reorganization.
The volunteer regiments remaining in
the service viii be mobilized to effect
complete reorganization of brigades, di-
Visions and corps, such organizations be-
ing thoroughly demoralized by the mus
tering out of different regiments consti-
tuting them. Maj. Gems Lee, Wilson.
and Graham will be offered commands
in these organiza tions. Gen. Joe Wheeler
will also be offered a command but his
acceptance. with the prospect of garrison
duty before him, is doubtful. There will
be included in the reorganization of the
army several detached commands of ar
tillery. engineers, and signal corps, for
garrison duty at different points
determined effort is being made to
retire number of officers OF the army
who have been on the sick list for some
time and who saw no service whatever
during the war with Spain. Applications
for extensions of leave for these officers
are being received at the War DEPART
ment. 1t is probable that in most cases
the requests will not be granted. but in
stead the officers will be directed to re-
port for duty. In case they are unable to
do so they will probably be ordered be-
fore retiring board.