The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-10-19
NO COERCION OF SOLDIERS.
THE LAW AND DEPARTMENT ORDERS
AMPLY PROTkCT THEN.

Complete Refutation OF the Charges That
Soldiers whose Terms Had Expired Were
Left on Their own Resources at Ma
Mia " They Refused to Re-oniist'
wAsHINGToN. Oct. 1S.-hssistant Secretary
OF War Meiklejohn was asked as to tho truth
OF the report circulated In certain quarters 10
the effect that the soldiers whose terms OF SER
vice had expired a. Manila and who would not
reenlist were left ON their own resources.
None whatever" replied Mr.. Meiklejohn.
The abatement is not only untrue. but
II 10 infamous to circulate a report that
reflects as this one does. on the
humanity Of the Government and
the Administration. even for campaign pur-
poses do not know from what source this
report emanated. but from whatever source 1t
came the facts do not substantiate 1t. why
should the Government seek to cooree men to
reGnlist when, as has been demonstrated
within the past ninety days. II can get all the
mon IL needs for service In the Philippines
The returns show that. up to Oct. II. 33.Ool
had heen enlisted for service In the Philip
pines. and. approximately speaking. 70.OOO
msa rejected.
No Government has ever treated the pri-
vate soldier with rs much difference or has
been 40 solicitous for his personal welfare as
the Government OF the United States. There
from the farm. the workshop. the counting
room aad tho m erchants counter. The Ameri-
can soldier 10 a representative American citl-
zen. who serves his country whom his country
calls because he 10 patriot. And l take this
occasion to pay tribute to his patriotism. cour-
age. zeal and devotion to duty.
Now. as to soldiers being left on their ewn
resources. The law is very clear, explicit and
imperative on this point. Section 10. act OF
Jan. 20, 1873; provides; That whenever any
oenss ssnn R pay ad
Zine an a. shn be
the place OF discharge to the place OF his resi-
dence. computing at the rate OF twenty miles
The second COMPTROLLER; in a, decision dated
July Z. 1888. said A soldier honorably dis
Shssss Eh b H.d pa, he 90 an @
equivalent in money, for such term OF time as
shall be suficient for him to travel from the
it Is part Of bis contract Of enlistment and
to perform the travel II he shall choose 70 re-
enlist or to stay whore he may be when dis
HhsrFed The tn tSs s Hs
ia not responsible to the Government for the
use he may make Of his money.
ssere nsEe' oFus Var. dated March - ls5
are as iollo%s: Hfiiee Hras and 1 soldiers s.
dl1oharReu unuer tnlb Oruer Will DO en-
titled to travel allowance for the land
travel involved from the place OF their d is
charge to the place OF their enlistment. For
thesaea!travel the specific orders issued by the
commanding Generals OF the departments for
the discharge OF officers will state in each case
that the officer is entitled to free transportation
portation and subsistence on any Tn tied States
transport leaving the island for the United
States within one year from tho date OF dis
charge. When transport alton or subsistence
10 furnished on such orders. the fact will be
noted thereon, and also on the discharge GER
tiheate by the Quartermaster.
Paragraph i've OF General Order No. 80 Is
sued May 10. 1899, by direction OF the Score
tary of War reads as follows: An enlisted man.
a resident OF the United States. serving in the
islands mentioned in paragraph four hereof
who Ia discharged the service In those islands
by transfer to another branch OF the service
or on his own application. whether by way OF
favor or by purchase; or because OF confne-
ment by the civil authorities. or by way OF
punishms nt for an offence. or for disability
caused by his own misconduct: or on
account OF fraudulent enlistment. 10. by
the operation OF section 1880 Revised Statutes.
and the act OF March 1U. 1895. prevented from
being allowed the usual travelling allowances
to the place OF his nlstment or original mus
tor into service. but he will be brought by
tho Government to the United States on a
transport free OF charge"
50 much for the charge that discharged
eminent 1000 miles from home to their own
never has happened and never will happen"