New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-19
NEW ARMY BILL CHANGED.
REGIMENTS TO BE MADE UP ACCORDING
TO STATES
OFFICERS TO BE APPOINTED BY THE PRESIDENT
NO LIMIT As TO NUMBERs-MILEs GOING
soUTH-GENERAL ARMY AND NAVY
HOSPITAL. KEY WEST.


soUTH-GENERAL ARMY AND NAVY
HOSPITAL AT KEY WEST.
IBr TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBrXE.1
Washington. April 1S.-The final changes were
made In the Volunteer Army bill to-day. and
II will be presented To both houses OF Congress
tomorrow. with a request for it's prompt en-
ectment. The failure to carry out the intention
Of asking to-day for the legislation caused
by the pressure Of other matters absorbing the
attention Of the Senate and House. and the dis
inclination Of the Executive to create any diver
sion from tho grave questions under consdera-
ton. as we'll as by the War Departments
notifications in the measure. which have the
effect OF broadening it into a comprehensive
plan for meeting all future emergencies.
The CHIEF change in the plan outlined In
The Tribune to-day is one restoring the volun-
teer feature to the proposed establishment at
the same time removing from 1t all sembance
81 conscrption or drafting Of the men required.
Another of great importance removes the limit
OF four hundred thousand men, and provides
for the expansion of the volunteer military
force 10 any number required the maximum
being changed from time to time by Presidential
recommendations to Congress. The essential
feature Of the indiS idual enlistment OF every
volunteer. with the provision enabling the ac-
ceptance OF existing ORGANIZATIONS Is not ma
teraly modified
The main object OF the measure Is 10 syste-
Matte the creation Of a volunteer army COM
mensurate with any war upon which the United
States FOR the protection OF its honor and ter
rtory may he compelled to enter. There will
be no oonscripton forcing men into the service.
but the force will be composed exclusively OF
volunteers All such volunteers VIII be regu-
larry enlisted as individuals. whether organiza-
tons to which they belong volunteer and are
accepted not. Every commissioned ofIicer
will receive his commission from the PRESIDENT
commissions issued by the authorities Of the
various States being made imperative
NATIONAL GUARD NAY JOIN IN.
The regiments to he mustered will number
I 900 men each and National Guard regiments
Of this strength will be taken az bodies and main
tained as organizations. Volunteers 10 the number
Of | 900 from single State vii! he collected IN a
single regiment and the strength Of such regi-
mcnt will be maintained az far az possible D!
volunteers from that State. Where the quota OF
a state does not reach 1000 men the regiment
VIII be filed up with volunteers from neghbor-
Ing states There Ill be distinctly no guarantee
that the existing officers Of State militia reg-
ments. battalions or companies viii be commits
stoned by the President. the express authority
every rank.
one Of the most important features Is that
maintaining the volunteer forces entirely dis
tinct and separate from the regular Army. The
volunteer army will b. commanded at all times
by volunteer officers the officers OF the regular
Army being confined in their authority 10 reGu-
lar troops The President will be the only officer
common to both armies by virtue Of his consti-
tu,ional responsibility as Commander Chief
The absence OF limitations In the number Of
men constituting the volunteer army will require
the President 20 call upon Congress az occasion
arises FOR authority TO accept such volunteers
rs are demanded. not exceeding 10000 or 200
On. or whatever force appears desirable. Joint
resolution will then be passed TO authorize the
requisite force. and under its permission the
President VIII issue his call
General Miles has decided 10 start for the
South on Wednesday or Thursday. He will in
spect the forces a, Chickamauga. New Orleans.
Mobile and Tampa. and viii probably return to
Washington for further consultation with the
President II such action appears desirable
Lieutenant Colonel Ludlow. Corps OF Engineers
Lieutenant Colonel Humphreys. Deputy Quar-
termasier- General. and Major osgood. Commits
sary Of Subsistence. were attached 10 General
Mies's field stan today and an ordnance officer
not yet selected VIII be added tomorrow. Cap
talns Michler Maus and Davis. the Generals
aids. will also accompany him to the South.
leaving Lieutenant Colonel Gilmore. Adjutant-
General In charge OF headquarters.
TO CARE FOR THE WOUNDED.
Surgeon General Sternberg day took tho
first step 10 establish a general Army and Navy
military hospital at Key West by ordering Ma
Tor W x. Hall now on duty as attending sur
geon TO Army officers In Washington. to proceed
at once to Key West 10 1T up the large tobacco
warehouse there which adjons the military
barracks with 200 beds and the necessary oper-
ating rooms mess arrangements and quarters
for attending surgeons. This building Will be
used for those wounded in both the Army and
Navy services who are unable to bear prompt
transportation North. and who will remain there
during their convalescence. The arrangements
between the Medical Corps OF the Army and
the Navy thoroughly harmonious. Surgeon
General Van Reypen. OF the Navy. has agreed
that the ambulance ship Solace shall bring back
the wounded Of the Army from Cuba TO Key
West as we'll as the sailors wounded In naval
cngagements and deliver them quickly as
possible to the Army and Navy General Hos
pital at Key West
on account OF the unhealthfulness OF Key
West It Will he Surgeon General Sternbergs
desire to transport convalescents to the North
as soon as they can be safely moved. With this
end in view he has arranged for at least one
and perhaps two ambulance trains. which Will
be- almost as novel AZ the Solace. Ordinary day
coaches will be utilized for the purpose. the
seats being taken out and two-story iron beds
set up in their stead. Each car will In this way
comfortably carry sixty wounded men.
DR. Sternberg to-day appointed four contract
surgeons. who to serve as auxiliary to the
Army medical stan at home stations. These
pioneers OF the volunteer forces will be paid out
Of the National Defence Fund. for which pur-
nose 81 600 has been allotted. until Congress
shall authorize the permanent retention or the
.lat,to,ni ,,.dical mon in the service They