The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-04-20
WAR BILL PREPARED
Far Temporary increase in
the War Establishment"
TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND
Likely to be the Number in
the First Call.

the service. II transmitting the Dill "
congress, a request is made for favorable
consideration, and in view Of the exigen-
cies of the situation, speedy action is ex-
pected. In time of war the army is 20
consist Of two branches, the regular and
the volunteer army, the latter TO be main
tanned only during the existence OF war or
while war is imminent, and is to be raised
and organized only after congress author
ICES it. All enlistments for the volunteer
army are TO DE for three years, unless
sooner terminated. All the regimental
and company officers of the volunteer
army are to be appointed by the presi-
dent, upon the recommendations of the
governors of the states In which their re-
spective organizations are raised. Con-
corning the national guard, it is provided
that when the members OF any company
or regiment Of the organized militia shall
enlist in the volunteer army in body, as
such company or regiment, the regimental
and company officers in service with the
militia organization thus enlisting may
be appointed by the president. subject to
examination as to fitness and capacity,
to be officers of corresponding grades in
the same organization when it is received
in the service as a part Of the volunteer
army.
The troops in time of war, whether be-
longing to the regular or volunteer army
or to militia, are to be organized into divi-
sions of three brigades, each brigade to
be composed of three or more regiments,
and when three or more divisions are as
sembled 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 volunteer army not exceeding one
major general for each organized army
corps and division and one brigadier gem
eral for each brigade, to be selected from
the regular or volunteer army of the
militia
TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND.
Plans now being formulated in congress
involve the placing of about 100000 SOL
diers in round numbers at the disposal
of the government within a very short
time after the Cuban resolutions are APP
proved by the president. This calculation
is based on the following figures covered
in plans already in effect or in contem-
plation, viz: Standing army. $1,000; by call
for volunteers, $4,000; by calling out state
militia, 1000 or 1OO 600; by army reorgani-
cation bill, 5000.
Leaving aside the present regular army
force, the second and fourth items are
practically settled on in committee while
the third. as to state militia, is being ac-
lively canvassed and, while there are diff
fering views, they are expected to crys-
tallize into an authorization to call out
the numbers stated. The bill drawn up
by the war department for introduction
by Representative Hull, chairman of the
military committee, authorizes the presi-
dent to call for something like 10000 vol
unteers to be drawn through the various
states. While this method obviates the
legal technicalities involved in the SER
vices of state militia organizations. it is
likely the volunteers thus obtained
through quotas furnished by the respec-
tive state and territorial governors, will
come from within state military ranks.
In the house committee on militia plan
to effectually put large number of the
militia at the disposal of the president is
being formulated. Some think JOG. 600 ex-
cessive, but Chairman Marsh and others
regard the figure as conservative, in the
view that the resolutions evidently mean
war. The president, as now suggested by
Representative Marsh, can call out the
militia al any time and congress follow UP
the executive by legislative amendment
providing for their mastering into the
United States service. At the same time
the army reorganization bill recently re-
committed by the house is being carefully
pruned in the military affairs committee
to meet objections. 1t is proposed to ex-
tend the army organization TO the three |
war formation and to increase
the batteries of artillery TO 200 men each. /
This measure. ii IS claimed, may bring |
about 5000 more men into the regular |
service TO be added to the present 1900 |
regular troops.
THE NATIONAL GUARD.
The attention Of Adjutant General Cor /
bin Of the army. having been called 10 4
certain publications stating that i'll feel /
ms existed between the regular army and /
the national guard of the several states. !
he stated that. 50 far as he was informed, /
the report had no foundation in fact: that, /
so far rs he could ascertain or was adj
vised. only the most cordial relations ex- (
sted, and every effort to retain these re-
ations vas being fostered and put forth
by officers in authority in the war depart
ment.
In answer to numerous inquiries al TO
the manner and the number Of troops that
may in the near future be called into at-
tive service, the general stated that It
vas Absolutely impossible for him 10 give
any definite information; that the presi-
dent doubtless. IN any call he might make
for troops. would specify the number and
character so as 70 sive each state q repre-
in The proportion 10 is pooula-
ton. Whether the national guard can be
called into service as such is q Question I
about which there IS q difference OF opin-
on. Il can he stated. however. that tire
var department recognizes the fact ths;
The national guard is largely composed OF
excellent military material. and. within
he limitations OF the law. every effort VIII
De made 20 secure this f1e material for
any active service that the government
nay have Tor troops outside OF tas regu-
az army.
Numerous inquiries and applications
lave 5esIe made for the appointment OF
commissioned officers os the volunteers.
L IS quite definitely determined that tha
var department. viii deal only with .ha
governors of states. and when th. rerf-
Zle1ts are offered fer muster these a.
iceTs VII ee mustered as appoln ted hy
lie governors |,