The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1898-04-27
MEN WHO MUST
GO TO WAR
About 200. 900 Soldiers May Be Put
Into Service.


tions are approved by the President.
This calculation is based on the follow
ing figures, covered in plans already in
effect or in contemplation-viz, stand
ing army, 1900; by call for volunteers,
10000; by calling out State Militia
IS, 900 or 100, 900; by army re-organiza-
ton bill, $1,000.
Leaving aside the present regular
army force, the second and fourth items
are practically determined upon in COM
mittee, while the third, as 10 State Mill
itia, is being actively canvassed, and
differing views are expected to crystal
lie into an authorization to call out the
number stated.
The War Department bill to provide
for temporarily increasing the military
establishment in time of war was sent
to Chairman Hull, of the House Com
mittee on Military Affairs, and Sena-
tor Hawley, the chairman Of the Mil
itary Committee of the Senate, where
the latter Immediately introduced it.
The measure was prepared under the
immediate supervision of Assistant See
retary Meiklejohn, after thorough and
careful study of the best interests Of the
service. In transmitting the bill to
Congress a request was made for favor
able consideration, and in view Of the
exigencies of the situation speedy nc
ton is expected.
FEATURES OF THE BILL.
Under the bills provisions, in time
of war the army is to consist of two
branches, the regular and the volunteer
army, the latter to be maintained only
during the existence Of war or while
war is imminent, and to be raised and
organized only after Congress authors
zes it. All enlistments for the zolunteer
army are to be for three years, unless
sooner terminated. All the regimental
and company officers Of the volunteer
army are to be appointed by the Press
dent, upon the recommendations Of the
Governors of the States in which
their respective organizations are
raised.
Concerning the National Guard, tits
provided that when the members ofany
company or regiment OF the organized
militia shall enlist in the volunteer ar
my in body, as such company or reg
iments the regimental and company
officers in service with the militia orga-
nization thus enlisting may be appoint
ed by the President, subject to an ex-
animation as TO fitness and capacity. to
be officers of corresponding grades in
the same organization when it is receiv-
ed in the service as part Of thev volan-
teer army.
The troops in time of war, whether
belonging to the regular or volunteer
army or to the militia, are to be orga-
mixed into divisions of three brigades,
each brigade to be composed of three
or more regiments, and when three or
more divisions are assembled in the
same army the President IS to organize
them into army corps, each corps to
consist OF not more than three divisions.
The President is to appoint in the vol
anteer army not exceeding one major
general for each organized army corps
and divisions, and one brigadier gem
eral for each brigade, 10 be selected
from the regular or volunteer army or
the militia.
WHO CONSTITUTE THE NATIONAL
FORCES.
Following are the provisions Of the
bill in full:
A bill to provide for temporarily in
creasing the military establishment of
the United States in time Of war, and
for other purposes
Beitenacted, etc, that all able-bodied
male citizens of the United States, and
persons of foreign birth who shall have
declared their intention TO become eiti-
zens of the United States, under and
in pursuance of the laws thereof, be-
tween the ages Of Is and A years, are
hereby declared to constitute the ma
tional forces; and, with such exceptions
aud under such conditions as may be
prescribed by law, shall be liable to
perform military duty in the service
of the United States.
Section =. That the organized and
active land forces Of the United States
shall consist of the army of the United
States, and Of the militis OF the several
I States when called into the service of
the United States: Provided, That, in
time of war, the army shall consist of
! two branches, which shall be designat-
ed respectively as the regular army
and the volunteer army Of the United
States.
Section 8. That the regular army is
the permanent military establishment
which is maintained, both in peace and
war, according to law.
Section 4. That the volunteer army
shall be maintained only during the ex-
istence of war, or while war is immi-
uent, and shall be raised and organized,
as in this act provided, only after Con-
gress shall have authorized the Presi-
dent 10 raise such a force: Provided,
That all enlistments for the volunteer
! army shall 5e for term of three years,
unless sooner terminated; and that all
Officers and men composing said army
shall be discharged from the service Of
the United States when the purposes
for which they were called into servic
shall have been accomplished, or en-
uhe conclusion Of hOstilities.
RAISING A VOLUNTEER ARMY.
Section 5. That when it becomes
aeeessary to raise volunteer army, the
President shall issue his proclamation,
stszing the number Of men desired with
in snch limits as may be fixed by law,
sax the Secretary Of War shall pre-
s-ersbe such rules and regulations, not
| iaeonsistent with the terms Of this act,
as mag, in his Judgment, be necessary
<ar the purpose Of examining, organ
king assd receiving into service the
men exlksd for; provided, that all men
receiEed into service in the volunteer
army shall, as far as feasible, be taken
1 from the several States and Territories,
and the District of Columbia in pro-
4 .