The Indianapolis journal., 1898-05-29
SECRETARY ALGER,s TELEGRAM.
How 1T Is Interpreted at the Cover
nhr's OfFice-NOt Unexpected.

nOF'S OmCe-NOt Unexpected
The telegram from Secretary Alger, quot
ed above, announcing regiments in the field
are to be numerically strengthened by re-
cruits under the second call, while it COM
plicated matters, was rot unexpected, as
Senator Fairbanks had sent telegram to
the Governor some days ago which indicat-
ed that this policy would be followed. 1t
was published in the Journal of the next
day. Senator Fairbankss message was not
thoroughly understood, and General Alger's S
order makes it more clear. The understand
ing here is that the government has decided
to enlarge the companies Of the various
Indiana regiments already in camp in order
that expenses may be made as low as possi-
BILE. The order received yesterday means
that there shall be only about four COM
panies with commissioned officers. where
there were five before. This also reduces
the number of regimental officers with high
salaries about 20 per cent. Governor Mount,
after receiving the telegram, began studying
the new law for the reorganization of the
regular army even closer than he had be-
fore. Reading it to Journal reporter, he
said that it provided that in case of actual
war or in case the Congress of the United
States should declare that a state Of war
might raise the size of each twelve compa-
nies in a regiment to 106 enlisted men and
three commissioned officers, 109 in each COM
pany all told. Under the laws of Indiana,
State was formed, there are eighty-four en-
listed men and three commissioned officers,
eighty-seven all told. The rule the President
has adopted and which was promulgated by
the War Department yesterday simply
means that one-fifth of the regimental Off
GERS that hoped for places shall be cut off,
per cent. Indications are that there will be
opposition TO this plan from Congress, mas
have hoped they would be able to provide
military places for constituents.
AS a result of the new order Governor
Mount win not attempt to make any ar
rangements for the mobilization of regi-
ment in indianapolis for some time to come.
He said that he supposed the War Depart
ment would itself undertake to raise the re-
cruits necessary to fill the various regiments
already in the field. 1t might be the policy
to the district in which that COM
cruit men for the company, but the
government would adopt the plan of sending
back one or two officers from each of the
four regiments to recruit men for the differ
ent regiments. 1t is not believed that men
in various parts of the State who have
raised companies will consent to have their
commands divided up to IN MI Sompanets al
succeeded in recruiting the companies, the
Governor will take up the plan of raising
a regiment or such additional men as are
needed to make UP the States quota. The
announcement of the War Department. s
plan yesterday sent many men who called
on the Governor to offer companies and reg
iments back home much disappointed. The
Governor said last night It was absolutely
Impossible to give. any definite information
unfiI he had received further orders from
the War Department. AS it is now under
stood the State will not be called on for
more than twelve companies. enough for
in adj n
are needed TO place the Indiana regiments
already in service on war footing. These
twelve companies viii be apportioned among
the Various congressional districts, care be-
ing taken to consider the total number of
men already furnished. There are some
districts the Seventh among others, which
would not be entitled TO further represen-
tation after the companies they have fur
nished are increased to the army size.