Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-04-26

/ illOilS uSI ptISSeDSSIS Ici. Shoiico ming
| and Mrs. Col. stotsenburg, who is convey
| ing her husbands body to the United
| States. The Sheridan also has on board
several officers families who find Manila
an desirable residence.
DEPENDS UPON THE RESULTS.
Whether the Volunteer Army Will he
Raised to Aid Otis.
| A statement in regard to the disposition
of the regular troops of the United States
has been prepared at the War Department
for the special benefit of the President and
the Secretary of War in considering the
question of reinforcing the army in the
Philippines. 1t shows that there are now
in Cuba 14,S6S soldiers, embraced in four
regiments of cavalry, one regiment of ar
tillery and six regiments of infantry. There
are about 5000 troops In Porto Rico. The
number of troops in the Philippines and
under orders to proceed there is "a. 900 regu-
lars. OF the entire 650O0 regulars about
$4,000 are still on duty in the United States.
1t Is not believed that the troops now
serving in Cuba or Porto Rico are available
for any other duty 1t is not likely that
the force in either country can be reduced
without impairing the efficiency of the mil
itary administration of those countries
Therefore these troops, numbering about
$4,000 men, are not considered In the plans
fer Strengthening the military force in the
Philippines. The $1,000 soldiers now in this
country are divided into attachments, as
signed to the duty of guarding public prop
erty at abandoned posts, looking after, re-
cruits and assisting in the shipment of sup
plies.
in active military service OF these four
artillery regiments are manning coast de-
lenses and four cavalry regiments and
three infantry regiments are distributed
throughout the west in localities of possible
danger from the Indians. The remainder of
the home army consists of signal corps men,
the hospital corps and other staff corps
who are not counted as part of the active
fighting force.
According to the calculations of the War
Department officials, the largest number of
regulars it is practicable to place in the
Philippines under existing conditions is
about 10000 men. There there, Or
on their way there, about "a 900, so that 1t
will be necessary to select about 5000 more
from among the troops now in the United
States. The 10th infantry, now in Porto
Rico, has been selected for duty in the
Philippines, as have also six troops of the
9th Cavalry and two companies of the 18th
Infantry. The troops of the 14th Infantry
have just completed tour of duty In
Alaska.
The Calling Out of Volunteers.
In case it is found that the available reg
ular army of 10000 men, which is all that
is available for service in the Philippines,
is not sufficient to subdue the Filipino in
surgents and establish the sovereignty of
the United States in the archipelago it will
be necessary for the President to exercise
the discretion given him in the army reor-
ganiZation law and call for $4,000 volun-
teers, the maximum limit under the law.
Such action would place G5,OpO troops at
the command of General Otis and I'M
doubtedly serve the full purposes of the
government in the subjugation of the in
surrectionists in the archipelago.
The President is strongly adverse to is
suing a call for more volunteers and will
not take such action if it possibly be
avoided Military critics agree, in the main
that Gen. Otis has not sufficient troops to
establish complete military control of the
Philippines, especially in the important
matter of garrisoning the cities and towns
1t is noticed that the operations around
Calumpit are being made almost entirely by
volunteer troops whose time Of enlistment
is up and who are to be brought home at
the first favorable opportunity.
AS a possible explanation Of this fact. it
is stated that Gen. Otis considers it wise to
hold the regulars, who are to remain in the
islands indefinitely, in reserve as long as
DCSSIhln and is zjr he
lCrg as they are available.
Result of the Present Attack,
The result of the present attack On the
iEsurgent capital at Calumpit will have
considerable influence in determining the
future policy of the government with re-
spect to the army.
In case the rebel army Is overthrow and
a considerable number of troops captured
no additional renforcements will be needed
in the Philippines. If, however, the adj
Vancing army repeats the experience at
Maiolos, it will enter Calunpit only to find
the town deserted and in ruins and the en-
envy fled to the mountain retreats The
plan of campaign contemplated the closing
OF all avenues of escape, Gen. LaWton hay
ing been sent around to the north with a
view of shutting eff retreat in that direc-
/ ton; but whether he has succeeded in over
NoliiliiS TIE llIdly natural ulIllcultieS which
have delayed his movements can only be
determined by the developments of the next
few days.
1t is evident that Gen. Otis has met
with much more determined resistance
at Calumpit than he anticipa ted, and that
his plan of taking the city yesterday was
not accomplished. The fact that the in
surgents are using artillery is a source of
anxiety to the War Department officials, as
1t indicates that they are receiving sub
stantial support from some unknown quar-
ter.
To Cut OF Supplies.
The efforts of the United States forces in
the Philippines will be directed to cutting
off this source of supply If possible and to
that end the cooperation of the navy will
be especially directed. The officers OF the
administration are confident that there will
be no difficulty in raising the volunteer
army of $4,000 men for service in the Phil
ippines in case such course is rendered
| necessary.
1t Is hoped, however, that pending mil
itary operations and the efforts of the
Philippine commission will result in the