Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-07-20
VOLUNTEERS CHANCES.
An Officer Says They May See Bu'
Little Service.
With Officers Patriotism Is New Forgottcn--i
Is Business.

The men who were in the service OF
their country. last year, say that their
work in everyday life now seems hard
err to them than it did before they had
the free out of door employment. One
Augusta, Tuesday, and he says he
often gets so very nervous from being
closely confined to business that he has
to leave his work and take a stroll
about the square. Yet he says his
present employment has not the cares.
the number of hours or the attention
that he was obliged to pay to his army
life.
Was the war department in hurry
for you to report?" asked the Journal
of the young officer who had been APP
pointed to the volunteer service.
Yes, they We're in a great hurry and
ordered me to report at once"
How did the appointment come?
Was it premeditated on your part?"
No. l went to the Office one day
and found the telegram telling me that
had been appointed to a commission
and ordering me to report at Platts-
burg barracks. l thought at first it
was a practical joke put up among the
boys. but the telegram soon put that
al
out if l could have a little time to
settle my business affairs, and they re
piled that it was desired that the Off
GERS report al once that they might be
on duty during the recruiting of their
companies. I then made formal re-
quest for Is days delay while I pro-
vided for my family and settled my
business, and this was denied me. say
ing that my commission had been for
warded to the post and they expected
me to report at once"
will this commission be per-
manent?"
Il hardly know. 1t is said you
know, that the regular army must
never again be reduced on account of
our new possessions. and in conse-
quence all the volunteers must be re-
tanned, but l think the regular army
officers will object to this. There is
tendency of the West Pointer and the
man brought up from the ranks to look
down on the volunteer officer, no mat
clined to believe that there will be
forces brought to bear so that regular
officers will be given the preference in
case the number that is maintained is
large and that the volunteers will be
mustered out and the regular army re-
cruited with regular officers placed in
command over them. Thus it is toss
up whether the officer in the vOlun-
teers will see more than two years Of
service
What do you think is the chances
of seeing real service in these new
volunteer regiments?"
Il believe there will be some hot
campaign work for them as soon as
they reach the Philippines. and then
they will have to be retained there
even after the natives have been
placed under subsection. The principal
places will have to be garrisoned with
a strong force.
ION the whole the inducements for a
man to leave his family, his home and
his business for two years of hazardous
work with no reward in sight are
rather slight OF course we have come
to look at it now in businesslike
manner. The talk of patriotism and
all that is a thing of the past, and was
well placed at the time of the opening
of the war. but now with 10000 officers
who have applied for commissions
waiting. it is not to be thought of in
case of this sort. 1t is business alone.