The evening times., 1899-12-05
THE ARMY.
Strength of the Force at Home and
Abrond.

AbrOad.
Since my last Annual Message, and in obe-
dience to the acts of the Congress of April
% and &c, 1898, the remaining volunteer
! force enlisted for the Spanish war, con-
sisting of "a ,S34 regulars and ZOO volun-
teers, with over 5000 volunteer officers, has
been discharged from the military service.
or the volunteers 6SI officers and 1881
men were serving in the Philippines. and
/ $50 of the regulars. who were entitled 10
be mustered out after the ratification of
the treaty of peace. They voluntarily re-
manned at the front until their places could
be filled by new troops. They were re-
turned home in the order in which they
went TO Manila, and are now all OF them
out of the service and in the ranks OF citi-
Zenship. i recommend that the Congress
provide a special medal of honor for the
volunteers, regulars, sailors, and marines
on duty in the Philippines who voluntarily
remained in the service after their terms
of enlistment had expired.
By the act of March 9 1899. Congress
gave authority TO increase the Regular
Army to maximum not exceeding 5000
enlisted men. and 10 enlist force of 35, ,000
volunteers. to be recruited from the coun-
try at large. BY virtue of this authority
the Regular Army has been increased to the
number of 81 ,999 enlisted men and 2,24S Of
ficers, and new volunteer regiments have
been organized aggregating 80, ,050 enlisted
men and 154 officers. Two Of these volun-
teer regiments are made up of colorsd men
with colored line officers. The new troops
TO take the places of those returning from
the Philippines have been transported to
Manila to the number of 5s1 officers and
az 900
and 594 officers and 15,3sS enlisted men
of the new volunteer force, while 504 Of
ficers and IA, 119 men of the volunteer force
are on the ocean en- route to Manila.
The force now in Manila consists of sos
officers and 30,57s regulars, and 594 officers
and 15,3SS of the volunteers, making an
aggregate Of .499 officers and 1896 men.
When the troops now under orders shall
reach Manila the force In the archipelago
will comprise 2.051 officers and 63, 483 men.
The muster out of the great volunteer
army organized for the Spanish war and
the creation OF a new army the transporta-
tion from Manila to San Francisco of those
entitled to discharge. and the transporta-
tion of the new troops to take their places
have been work of great magnitude we'll
and ably done, for which too much credit
cannot be given the War Department.
During the past year We have reduced
our force in Cuba and Porto Rico. In Cuba
We now have 1874 officers and 1926 enlisted
men; in Porto Rico, 81 officers and 1855
enlisted men and battalion of 400 men
composed of native Porto Ricans; while
stationed throughout the United States are
$40 officers and 1877 men, and IN Hawaii
II officers and 453 enlisted men.
Praise for Our Soldiers.
The operations of the Army are fully pre-
a4 in ha af ha ~
War cannot withhold from officers and
men the highest commendation for their
soldierly conduct in trying situations, their
willing, sacrifices for their country, and
the integrity and ability with which they
have performed unusual and difficult du-
ties in our island possessions.
In the organization of the volunteer reg
iments authorized by the act of March 2,
1899, it was found that no provision had
been made for chaplains. This omission was
doubtless from inadvertence. recommend
the early authorization for the appoint
ment of one chaplain for each of said regi-
ments. These regiments are now in the
Philippines, and it is important that i'm
mediate action be had.
In restoring peaceful conditions, orderly
rule. and civic progress in Cuba, Porto
Rico, and, SO far as practicable, in the
Z AAllPpinCS, lnt VI Tue POoldl
service has been an essential and impor-
tant part Of the work. 1t became necessary
to provide mail facilities both for our
forces OF occupation and for the native
population. To meet this requirement has
involved a substantial reconstruction. The
existing systems were SO fragmentary, de-
fectiye and inadequate that a new and
organization had to be cre-
ated. American trained oflcials have been
positions, while natives have been chiefly |
in making up the body Of the |
force. In working out this plan the merit |
rule has been vigorously and faithfully ap-
piled.
Cuban Postal Service.
The appointment OF Director General Of |
Posts Of Cuba was given to an expert who
had been Chief Postoface Inspector and A.