The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1899-04-19
TO STAY IN PHILIPPINES
VOLUNTEER TROOPS WILL NOT
BE MUSTERED OUT.
How the Services of the Enlisted Men
viii be Retained-Practically Very
Handsome Bounty to be Paid.

One of the most important effects of
the presidents peace proclamation will
be the disbandment of the volunteer
army organized especially for the war
with Spain. In anticipation of this re-
suit officials of the war department
have for some time past been engaged
in the muster out of all troops enlisted
for the war, and this work has so far
progressed that there are only four vol
unteer regiments on duty in Cuba.
These are the so-called immune regi-
ments. There are no volunteers In
Porto Rico and Hawaii
There are about $4,000 volunteer SOL
diers in the Philippines. They have
rendered most gallant service in the
campaigns against the Filipino insur-
gents and their immediate muster out
would seriously interfere with the sue
cessful prosecution of military opera
lions now in progress.
1t is said at the war department that
no such embarrassment is apt to occur
in consequence of the presidents proc
lamation, as arrangements Will be now
made under existing laws for the con-
tinuance in service of all these volun-
teer troops who may elect to remain in
the Philippines. The law which called
the army into existence will be con-
strued at the war department to mean
that the muster out of troops in the
the executive, and that in the natural
order of things such a result cannot
| be accomplished within less than two
| or three months.
In the law for the promotion of the
| efficiency of the army passed just before
| the adjournment of congress there was
a provision authorizing the president
Ito enlist in the Philippines officers and
| men. individually or by organization,
now in those islands, and about to be
! discharged, provided their retention
| shall not extend beyond six months.
| AS a special inducement for the re-
| enlistment of these regular and Volun-
! teer troops in the Philippines, the war
! department has decided in case of such
re-enlistment that the men will be al
| lowed full travel pay on their return
to the United States, including trip
| by sea, as well as by land to the place
of their original enlistment. 1t is cal
culated that this travel pay Will easily
amount to between $500 and $500 in the
! case of each soldier who re-enliStS in
| the Philippines. Besides this, they will
get credit for service already rendered
and will also receive the two months
extra pay provided for soldiers who
! rendered service outside of the United
| States.
These special inducements. it is
| hoped. will have the effect of inducing
! most OF the troops 10 continue III llle
! military service for the next six months
at least In support of the statement
that the execution of the law for the
disbandment of the volunteers will re-
uuire several months time, attention
is called to the conditions that existed
in the army at the close of the clNl
war, There was a similar law then
directing the disbandment of the vol
unteer army. The proclamation de-
| claring the war closed was issued in
| October 1856, and the regiments still
remaining in the service We're muster
ed out from time to time, the last vol
unteer regiment to be. mustered out
being held until year and six month!
after peace had been proclaimed by thu
president Under this construction 6
| number of the volunteer regiments
may be retained in the Philippines fol
some time, although it is known thai
those who desire to return home vii
| be allowed to do so.