Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-06-06
WHATW ASST ABOUT?
MIDNIGHT CONFERENCE AT THE
WHITE HOUSE SUNDAY.
HAS OTIS CALLED AGAIN FOR TROOPS 1?
II In Believed n Decided and Imme-
diate reinforcement of His Army
il Necessary-Psrsona Notes of In


cial. 1.-THE midnight conference held at
the White House last night is the subject
of much mystery and speculation to-day
President Mckinley, Assistant Secretary
Of War Meiklejohn, and Acknowledgement
C0rbn were those present. but what
brought them together at this unseason-
able hour has not yet transpired. The be-
lief is that the President must have re-
Seived an important dispatch from either
General Otis or General Brooke. or he
would not have summoned the Assistant
Secretary of War and the adjutant-gene-
raj of the army, both of whom reside in
distant sections of the city. at such Il
late hour on Sunday night. The presump-
ton Is that If such dispatch was re-
ceived 1t was from Otis, giving an ac-
count Of some recent engagement of our
forces with the Philippines. or. more like
~. perhaps, farther demand from that
officer for more troops. At any rate.
neither Meiklejohn nor Corbin will say
what the subject OF the discussion at the
White House last night was. 1t is pWi-
lively known that General Otis is in alb
solute need of more troops; that when the
volunteers in the Philippines are muster
ed out or sent home he will be short
handed, and that the recruiting stations
are falling to keep the army up TO the
standard provided for by Congress.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS FEW.
The efforts of the War Department and
army officers TO induce the volunteers TO
lfft lrlx IN "A
very small extent Notwithstanding the
offer TO allow such of these men who re-
enlist travel pay amounting to nearly $500
each. IL is reported that not more than
sufficient number TO organize two full
regiments has been secured out Of the
entire eighteen volunteer regiments now
in the Philippines. When the volunteers
who are coming home leave. and all the
regulars destined for the islands have
reached there, General Otis will have an
army of about 1900 men, which will be
reduced by disease during the rainy and
sckly season. Military authorities and
experts are practically agreed that an
army of ., 900 men is not sufficient to en-
force the authority of the United States
in the Philippines in a reasonable period,
and that an army of at least 5000 men
will be required there In a very short
time.
CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS.
The subject, IL is understood, was dis
cussed at the White House last night and
also to-day and it is further believed
that a decided and immediate reinforce
ment Of General Otis's army is absolutely
essential to a successful termination of
the instruction in the Philippines The
President will have TO issue another call
for volunteers, or call Congress in extra
session during the dog -days. He is author
lied to recruit 5000 volunteers in addi-
ton TO the present regular army of 5000.
but he will hardly avail himself of this
authority without further action Of Con-
gress. 1t is suggested that he might call
out 10000 volunteers, but ii is doubted
whether he will do so.
PERSONAL.
Trafc-Manaser w. l.. Taylor, of the
Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac
railroad, was in the city to-day, attend
ing a meeting of southern general passen-
ger agents, which was held at the
Raleigh. Mr.. Taylor went over to Phila-
delphia this evening.
Mr.. O. p. BEDFORD of Richmond. was
here yesterday, visiting his uncle, Colone!
w. X. Teller, at the Metropolitan.
Messrs. ID. b. Tenant, of Richmond,
and j. w. A. Miller. of Roanoke, are reg
istered at the Raleigh.
Messrs. c. Hemp of Big Stone Gap;
J. w. Arnold and wife, Loudoun county,
Va; Simon Seward Petersburg; j. 5.
Saunders, ]. A. Stigler, Mrs. w. i. Jes-
ter. Mrs r. NJ McGehee. of Virginia.
Metropolitan.
POTAL.
Charles w. Showalter has been COM
missioned a fourth-class postmaster at
Iron Gate, Ga.-a money-order office.
New offices have been established as
follows: Lew, Frederick county, Va,
= ILewellyr postmaster; Snelson, Han
over county, Va, Walter NJ. Snelson
postmaster; Caret Essex county, Va,
Thomas C. Doggns postmaster; Motor,
Polk county, n. c.. Charles w. Pearson
postmaster.
ARMY ORDERS.
Private John 7. Bowen. Battery y,
Third United States Artillery Fort Mon
roe. Va, is discharged from the service.
Sergeant William Grinshaw Battery
b, Third United States Artillery. Fort
Monroe Va, is transferred as private
to the Fourth United States Artillery,
and will be assigned TO battery of that
regiment. stationed at that post.
Private Charles Byrum. Battery Il.
Third United States Artillery. now on
recruiting station, Raleigh, y. c., will be
sent 10 his command at Fort Monroe, Va.
Private John ii. Saunders, Battery III.
Fourth United States Artillery. Fort Mon
roe, Va. is transferred TO Battery Is.
Third United States Artillery, stationed
al that post.
Private Herbert Whitncr Fort Caswell,
n. c., is ordered TO San Francisco.
Lieutenant c.. A. Merriam is promoted
TO lieutenant commander. and assigned TO
duty at Newport News. Va.