Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-09-23
WHAT COL. BRYAN WANTS
He Says That Nebraska Furnished More
Than Its Quota.
Many Soldiers Who Want to Return
Home Another Interview
With the President.

Col. William J. Bryan of the Sd Nebraska
Regiment, accompanied by Gov Holcomb
and Representative Stark of Nebraska had
another conference with President Mckinley
this morning. Colonel Bryan said that the
matter talked over was still under consid-
Grafton and had not been decided There
fore he could not talk He said he would
return to his regiment tonight. the acting
secretary of war and Adjutant General Cor
bin came over to the White House before
the conclusion of the conference.
AS understood today, Colonel Bryan and
the Nebraska officials have asked the Pres
ident to permit all sick soldiers of Nebras-
ka regiments to proceed to their homes.
They say that this favor has not been
asked for Colonel Bryans regiment alone
but for the men of all Nebraska regiments
in the field.
Colonel Bryan made a statement to the
President and it is said that written ar
gument in favor of the plan was presented.
The President has taken the matter under
advisement, and will decide tomorrow what
he will do.
Object of the Trip.
you can state one thing positively" said
Representative Stark. "Col. Bryan did not
come here to submit his resignation or even
to hint at reSigninS.
Gov. Holcomb made this statement: I'VE
made our representations to the President
embrace all the Nebraska troops in the
field. Nebraska raised three regiments for
the war. OF these the 1st Regiment is in
Manila the I'd on furlough and the Sd in
Florida. Leaving the I'd Regiment out of
consideration we have 1852 soldiers in the
field This exceeds our quota by about 100
men, the basis of an army of JOG, 600
We have asked that the Nebraska force be
so reduced as to bring it down to some
thing near the correct proportion. Our
compa nies are all Of the maximum strength
of 1u6 men. We have suggested to the
President the advisability of reducing them
to the minimum of eighty-six men. This
would make a reduction of 600 men in the
two regiments.
The arrangement would permit the weed
ing cut of men whose circumstances are
such as to especially appeal to the author
tiles for relief. There are many of these,
and the list is not confined to sick men.
Many of our volunteers left lucrative po-
sitions to go to the war. and have families
dependent upon them. For these, we'll
as the sick, We are seeking relief"
The request. Gov. Holcomb said, was
and not of officers. who have the privilege
OF resigring.
Gov. Holcomb said that no favors were
asked for Col. Bryan personally.
At the War Department..
Col. Bryan. with Gov. Holcomb and Rep
resentative Stark also called again at the
War Department and saw Gen Corbin.
Col. Bryan submitted papers requesting
the discharge of more Nebraska soldiers
1t is stated a the department that all the
applications for discharge submitted by
Col. Bryan yesterday and today will have
to pass through the regular military chan
nels, and the final determination will de-
pend upon the recommendation of the
corps commander, Maj. Gen. Fitzhugh Lee
Probably the reason way Col. Bryan went
directly to the President was because Rep
rcnsentative Stark had previously made a
verbal application to the War Department
regarding the Sd Nebraska, and said that
there was desire to have it mustered out
Representative Stark vas then informed
that all sucn applicable would have to go
to higher court, and the President was the
only person who could now determine the
mastering out of any volunteer regiment