Evening star., 1899-06-24
QUESTION OF VOLUNTEERS
General Otis Silence Prevents Speed il
Organization.
President Will Decide Upon His Re.
turn as to Number to he
Enlisted for Service.

The question as to whether troops in ex-
cess of the 5000 limit already fixed upon
shall be sent to the Philippines, will be
passed upon by the President soon after
his return from New England. There is a
decided difference of opinion among mill
tary experts as to whether $4,000 men will
be sufficient to carry military operations
i'll the Philippines to successful ISSUE
within a reasonable length of time.
The War Department is in receipt of
numerous suggestions of an increase of
the army in tina. quarter all the way up
to 10000 men. The advocates of a larger
army point out the great advantages of
having a short, sharp and decisive cam
paign as best calculated to eonsummate the
executive policy and bring the InSurfec-
tion in the Philippines to an early end.
Although 1t is impossible to obtain an
onclai admission as to the purpose of the
administration to augment the military
strength in the Philippines beyond the 81,
900 point, there are unmistakable indica-
tions at the War Department that the sub
ject is under serious consideration and that
preparations are being made to promptly
execute any plans of that character that
| may be adopted by the President.
Many Offers of Men.
Judging from the numerous kilograms
and letters received at the War Depart
ment rendering the services of individuals
and organiza tions for duty in the Philip
pines, there will be no difficulty whatever
in the r. recruitment of volunteers up to the
full limit of 81 600 men Professionally au-
tboriZed by statute.
Whether volunteers will be called for Oh
not will depend entirely upon the repre-
sentations made by General Otis as to the
military necessities of the situation. Some
surprise is manifested at the comparative
| silence of General Otis concerning the oper
sl@n frr.it, rit1p ha no
| few days, and some embarrassment Is be
| ing experienced in the consideration OF
| plans for increase OF the army by the
| failure of General Otis to forward informa
| three skeleton volunteer regiments from
| among the discharged volunteers. 1t is un
| derstood that he will probably secure {
| nucleus of about 1900 men for the thre'
| re egiments. leaving about 2Wo to be re
cruited in this country to complete the or
! ganiza tions.
| Final action in this matter is contingen
| upon advices from General Otis All sort
| of reports are in circulation in regard +
| the purposes of the War Department, bu
| there seems to be general agreement tina
| from 10 .oe0 to 1000 volunteers will be add
ed to the present military establishment.
Rapid Recruitment.
1t is said by the officers at the War De
| partment Interested in the recruiting move
ment that this work is progressing wit
pleasing rapidity. Recruits have been re
| ceived at the rate of LOCO week for tn
past three weeks, and there are now at tn
| Presidio at San Francisco about 5000 re
| cruits awaiting transportation to the Philip
| pines. Many of these are old soldiers bu
the others are being rapidly drilled an
broken in. The army is now PRACTICAL
| recruited up to it's legal maximum of $500
men, but it is understood that the recruit
ing at the present rate will be kept up 70
some time, or at least till the department
gets further advices from General Otis.
This state of affairs is viewed with con
siderable qualification, as it has been freel
| predicted even by old army officers, tha
it would be impossible to raise any larg
number of volunteers. in there weI
call for service in the Philippines, with
| out materially reducing the standard of e2
, cellence heretofore maintained.