The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-06-03
NO CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS.
president AND CABINET THINK 5000
REGULARS CAN BE SPARED.
1t Was Decided to Practically Suspend
Hostilities During the Rainy Season
Authority Given Gen. Otis to Enlist

1t Was Decided to Practically Suspend
Hostilities During the Rainy Season
Authority Given Gen. Otis to Enlist
Natives Under Certain Restrictions.
WASHINGTON. Juno 2.-The President and
his Cabinet talked nearly two hours this morn
ing about the military situation in the Philip
pines and discussed the question Of reinforce
ments for Gen. Otis. The result OF the con-
florence was an authoritative announcement
after the meeting that the question OF enlistinR
additional regiments will he held in Allowance
for some time owing to the rainy season in
the Philippines 1t is definitely settled that
there shall be practical suspension OF hostili-
ties against the insurgents during the rainy
season. for the m edical authorities OF the
army agree that a cam paign In that season
would be disastrous to the American side.
Surgeon General Sternberg has said that the
result would be more disastrous even than in
Cuba. for the reason that there is in the island
OF Luzon or In the vicinity no high ground to
which soldiers suffering from disease may be
withdrawn for recuperation The officials OF
the War Department believe that Aguinaldo
has no intention OF surrenderlng as long as
the rainy season lasts.
Secretary AlGer said after the meeting OF the
Cabinet that no volunteer regiments would he
enlisted for some time II at all, He will leave
W
and certainly no sters for increasing the mill.
tary force will he made during his absence
The Secretary said that II II should he decided
to increase the military establishment some
OF the volunteer regiments which served in
Cuba in garr lson duty, or which did not have
the opportunity to go out Of the United States
and desire to 60 to the Philippines, might be
enlisted sc as to preserve their present organi-
cations. Among these are the Fourth I'm
muhes. volunteer regiment commanded by
Col Petit.
Very optimistic views as to the situation in
the Philippines were expressed at the meet
ing and all the Cabinet Off GERS appeared conf
OF the United States was practically at an en-
and would disappear altogether soon after
the resumption OF military operations when
the rainy season was over. T he Cabinet ON
in favor OF sending Gen Otis all the troops
that he would need. and it was evident. from
tho exchange OF views al the meeting. that
unteers should be called for. This view is
shared by the military officials. who express
the belief that 5000 men can be taken from
tho regular army for service In the Philip
pines.
After full discussion of the subject the
President said that he did not think there was
any necessity OF taking action on the question
OF calling out volunteers un. after Secretary
Aleer s return from his three weeks trip. 1t was
determined however. that to give Gen. Otis all
the authority necessary to increase his forces
he should be permitte to enlist as many ma
tive troops as he deems proper. and tee-
gram to that effect was sent to him by the
War Department this afternoon. The only re-
atriction placed on Gen. Otis in raising O ma
tive force was that he should organize the
Fillpinos into small detachments.. to be com
manded by American officers. with number
OF Americans as non commissioned officers.
to set an example in discipline and solderlv
bearing to their native comrades.