The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-05-27

Washington, May 25.-The event of
issuance of a proclamation by the
president calling for $4,000 more volun-
teers. 1t added a new and stirring
phase to the lethargic conditions which
have prevailed of late and came with
almost startling unexpectedness even
to many of the highest officials in the
army. The proclamation means not
only the assembling of a large force
or troops, but also the appointment of
a number of major generals, brigadier
generals, colonels, majors, staff and
neld off1cers for the organization of
this additional force OF $4,000 into ar
my corps, divisions, brigades and regi-
ments.
The reasons leading up to the call
naturally were sources of much con-
lecture, as it was at first felt that the
possibility of foreign complications
was a factor in bringing about this
new move. 1t speedily developed, how
ever, that the call was not due to any
late or serious emergency, but was
rather in the line of getting together
large body of men, to be drilled and
seasoned, and to constitute a sort of
second reserve to be drawn upon la
ter when the campaigns were fully unr
derway. Secretary Alger stated that
the determination to issue the call had
not been reached until late yesterday.
The merits of it have been canvassed
more or less for some weeks. but it
was not until few hours before the
call itself appeared that the movement
was finally decided upon.
The Proclamation is as follows:
BY the President of the United
States-A Proclamation:
Whereas, An act of congress was
approved on the 25th day of April
1S98 entitled AN Act Declaring that
War Exists Between the United states
of America and the Kingdom of Spain"
and,
Whereas, By an act of congress en-
titled IAN Act to Provide for Tenn
porarily Increasing the Military Es-
tablishment of the United States in
Time of War and for Other Purposes"
approved April %, 1898,
The president is authorized. in or
der to raise volunteer army, to issue
his proclamation calling for volunteers
to serve in the army of the United
States.
Now, therefore, I, William M'Kin-
ley, president of the United States by
virtue of the power vested in me by
the legislature and the laws, and
deeming sufficient occasion to exist.
have thought fit to call forth and here
by do call forth volunteers to the ag-
Sregate of $4,000 in addition to the VOL
unteers called forth by my proclama-
ton of the 23rd day of April in the
present year, the same to be appor-
toned as far as practicable among the
several states and territories and the
Distcrict of Columbia, according to
population, and to serve for two years,
unless sooner discharged. The pro-
portion of each arm and the details
of enlistment and organization will be
made known through the war depart
ment.
In witness whereof. I have hereto set
my hand and caused the seal Of the
United States to be affixed.
Done at the city of Washington, this
twenty-fifth day of May, in the year of
our Lord, one thousand, eight hundred
and ninety-eight, and of the independ
ence of the United States one hundred
and twenty-second.
WILLIAM M'KINLEY.
By the President.
WILLIAM r. DAY.
Secretary of State.
department had made no preparations
for the call and it will be some days
before the details are worked out as to
the quotas from each state, the calls
to the respective governors or the
states, the mastering points and the
general points of concentration.
All that is settled thus far is that
the enlistments are to be thrown open.
much as they were at the outbreak OF
the civil war. and are not to be re-
stricted to the militia and national or
ganizations Of the several states. 1t
will be an encouragement to the or
ganization of independent volunteer
companies and regiments. These will
retain their identity to a certain
extent as state troops. as the govern
ors will have the appointment Of all
company and regimental officers while
only the brigade. division. corps and
staff officers will be appointed by the
president.
While the adjutant general has not
yet made up the quota Of the several
states, the following is an approx
mate estimate of the quotas Of the fol-
lowing states: Alabama 800, Floridf
$50. Georgia 1880. Louisiana 1.164, Miy-
sissippi 1.115. North Carolina 1,S5.
South Carolina AS, Virginia 1,s75.
The organization and division of this
extensive force is yet to be arranged
by the adjutant generals Office. Cen
orally speaking, however. the 1890
men will suffice for formation ofseven-
ty-five regiments. With three regi-
ent basis of organization, this makes
twenty-five brigades. In turn, eight
divisions of three brigades each will
be formed, and out OF these divisions
the entire force will be divided into
three army corps. This general divis-
ion is, Of course, tentative. but IL
shows the general formation Of this
body of troops. The new force will
require, either by appointment or by