Arizona republican., 1899-04-18
MAY ENLIST NATIVES
Plan for Organizing Force Of
Volunteers.
General Henry IS Already Organizing
Battalion In PORTO RiCO-Leffer
From Dewey in Regard 10 Enlist
ing the FiIipinoS.

Washington, April 1.-THE Presi-
dent has apparently determined to ad-
here to his decision nc. to take ad-
vantage CT the authority given him
by the army reorganization act to
raise force of $4,000 volunteers to
serve until 1901 The only present act
planned by the government under Ghe
provisions for a volunteer force Of
$4,000 men is to establish rural con-
stabulary systems in Cuba. Porto Rico
and perhaps in the Philippines. Under
the terms of the reorganization act
the provisional army may be COM
posed entirely of natives OF the new
possessions of the United States An
experiment has already been under
taken by General Henry in Porto Rico
of enldsting battalion of natives, and
it is intended to use this small organi-
za.ion as a nucleEa of a rural police
force, provided. of course. that the ex-
pertinent is successful. General
Brooke has authority to organize a.
battalion of Cubans for the same pur-
pose.
In it's desire to obtain Information
in regard to the adaptability of ma
tives of the Philippines, Cuba and
Porto Rico for military service under
the United States. the government has
been making inquiries of its officers al
Manila, Havana and San Juan. One
of the letters of inquiry was addressed
by the secretary OF the navy to Ad-
miral Dewey. He was asked to give
his opinion as to the advisability Of
enlisting FiHpinos in the army and
navy and employing them in civilian
capacities. The admiral's reply has
just been received by Secretary Long.
1t is as follows:
Manila. Feb. 2S, 1899.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowl
edge the departments letter of the
9th ult.
''The good effects politically OF TAX
ing the natives into the service Of the
government have never been lost
sight of and from the first large num-
bers of. them have been emp.oyed in
the Cavite naval station as mechanics
and laborers in coaling and in man
ming the tugs and launches.
q regret to state that the latter eX
pertinent has been only a partial sue
cess, as nearly all the mechanics and
laborers left on the outbreak of hos
tilities between the United States and
the Filipinos, and are now believed to
be in the Filipino ranks. l am unable
to state how much Of this was due To
intimidation and forcitte impressment
into the army by the sO-called Filipino
republic, but from the statements OF
some few who returned, and from the
fact that nearly all those who live il
the coal lighters and turrets-that is,
under our immediate protection-haVe
remained, it would appear that dntim-
idation was large factor in the dis
appearance of the w0rkmen. 1t is well
known that the Aguinaldo govern
ment is a severe military despotism.
although under the rule of the
United States the character of the ma
tiVes will certainly improve, sudden
change is not to be expected. A few
of them might be employed on trans
ports and vessels OF that kind. Indeed.
the Filipino quartermussers who have
been serving on the Nanshan and
Zafro since the purchase CT those YES
sells have always been satisfactory, but
because of their long association with
Americans and Englishmen they be-
long to a class apart from the great
majority. l have the honor to be, very
respectfully,
GEORGE DEWEY.
Rear admiral, U. S. navy, command
ing L. S. N force on Asiatic station.
:O:-
nNr1ocNr III nc, rnrr1, n-r.1,