The record-union., 1898-12-16
Says They Should Be Mustered Out
as Soon as Possible.
To Hold Them In Service for Garrison Duty
Would Be Gross Injustice.
Is Opposed to the Bill Providing
for Permanent Increase In the
Army, Believing It's Standing
Before the War Large Enough
for ALI Domestic Purposes.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 15.-Being ap-
preached regarding his attitude con-
cerning the volunteer soldiers, Colonel
w. ]. Bryan to-day expressed himself
rs follows:
THE volunteers should be mustered
out at the earliest possible moment.
They enlisted for war, when soldiers
were needed for active service, and
many of them did so at great pecuni-
ary and personal sacrifice. To hold
them in the service for garrison duty
would be a gross injustice. The Ad-
ministration has expressed Its lnten-
tion of releasing the volunteers as soon
as regulars can be secured to take
their place, but the bill providing for
a permanent increase in the regular
army is likely to arouse discussion,
and delay the day of discharge. Many
believe that the army as it stood be-
fore war was large enough for all
domestic purposes. / share in this be-
lief. If the volunteers are to be held
as hostages to force permanent in
crease in the regular army, pro-
longed contest is unavoidable.
Il think it would be better to recruit
a temporary army of occupation to
serve in Cuba, Porto Rico and the Phil
ippines. This would postpone the dis
cussion' as to the regular army until
a more convenient season. There is
no imperative necessity for action in
regard to volunteers. After the army
of occupation is recruited and the vol
unteerS mustered out, Congress can
debate upon the various plans pro-
posed and make suitable provision for
such a regular army as may be de-
cided to be necessary. Congress could
fix a maximum, and empower the
President to recruit within that limit
so many as may be necessary for an
army of occupation. The enlistment
could be made for two or three years,
unless sooner discharged Before the
term of service expires the country
will have a settled policy, and can
then decide whether such an army Is
longer required The bill could pro-
vide for the reduction of the force at
any time, and for the enlistment Of
the natives, at the discretion of the
President
In recruiting this army of occupa
tion preference should be given to the
volunteers now in the service, and in
order to encourage enlistment COM
panies and battalions formed from vol
unteer regiments now in the service
could be permitted to select their own
officers from among their associates
now in the service The pay for the
privateS and non-c commissioned officers
in any army of occupation should be
certainly increased in view of the pres
ent rate. Service in the semi-tropical
regions is attended by SO much danger
that increased compensation is both
just and necessary
BRYAN'S RESIGNATION
WASHINGTON, Dec. 15.-The War
Department to-day made public the
following letter from Colonel William
Jennings Bryan, resigning his commis-
sion as a volunteer officer:
CAMP ONWARD, SAVANNAH
(Ga), Dec. 10, 1S9S-To Adjutant Cen
eral United States Army, Washington
Sir: The dispatches from Paris an
nounce that the terms of the treaty
between the United States and Spain
have been fully agreed upon, and that
the Commissioners will sign the same
as soon as it can be engrossed. Be
lieving that under the present condi-
tons I can be more useful to my coun-
try as a civilian than as a soldier,
hereby tender my resignation, to take
effect Immediately upon its acceptance
Respectfully, etc, w. J. BRYAN.
Colonel Third Regiment, Nebraska
Volunteer Infantry"
The letter bears the following in