Evening star., 1899-04-11

| time, attention is called to the conditions
that existed in the army at the close of the
civil war. There was a similar law direct
ing the dfsbandment of the volunteer army
at the close of the war. The proclamation
declaring the war closed was issued in
october, 1856, and regiments still remain
ing the service were mustered out from
time to time, the last volunteer regiment
to be mustered out being held until Decem-
Der 70, 1867, year and six months after
peace had been proclaimed by the Presi-
dent.
Under this construction a number of vol
unteer regiments may be retained in the
philippines for some time, although Il is
known that those who desire to return
home Will be allowed to do so.
ReOrga n ixatfon on n Peace Basis.
An order has been prepared at the War
Department for a REORGANIZATION of the
army on peace basis, and II will bly,
De issued tomorrow. Among its most i'm
portant provisions are those relating to the
discharge Of most of the general officers of
the volunteer establishment and radical
changes in the staff departments of the
same. including the discharge Of about sixty
additional paymasters.
With the exceptions of Generals Otis
smarter, Lawton and Macarthur all the
volunteer major generals will be discharg-
ed; including Generals Wade. Wilson, Lee,
Wheeler, Bates, Yooung, Chaffee Ander-
son, sumner, Ludlow, Henry and Wood.
OF the above list Ill but Generals Wilson.
Lee and Wheeler hold commissions of a
lower grade in the regular army and con-
sequently Will not all necessarily have to
relinquish their present commands. Gem
eral Henry will remain in command at Por-
to Rico, and General Ludlow at Havana
city, but change will probably have to be
made al Santiago, as General Wood, the
present commandant, holds the regular
rank of Captain in the medical depart
ment.
Under its reoreanization tho ar,o,- I. o,,
titled to two additional major generals. and
General Otis and General Shafter have been
CHOSEN for these appointments. Generals
Macarthur and LawtOn are also retained
temporarily in their present grade of major
general under the provision of the statute
IN reference to the provisional army in the
Philippines for six months after the close
or the war with Spain.
just One Year of War.
1t was year ago today that President
Mckinley took the first step leading to war
with Spain by sending to Congress a mes
sage in which he asked for authority 10 in
tervene in the Cuban situation for the pur-
pose of stopping the war and securing the
establishment of a stable government in
the island by use of the military and naval
forces OF the United States The President
used these words:
Long trial has proved that the object for
which Spain has waged war cannot be at
'thiAiSu. hc llie Ol l1lSuFreCllOn may farne
or may shoulder with varying seasons. but
IL mas not been, and il is plain that il cam
not be eXtinguished by present methods.
The only hope of relief and repose from a
condition which can no longer be endured
Is the enforced pacification of Cuba In the
name OF humanity, in the name of civiliza-
ton, in behalf of endangered American in
terests which give US the right and duty
TO speak and to act, the war in Cuba must
stop.
In view of these facts and of these con-
siderauons, ask the Congress to authorize
and empower the President to take meas
ures TO secure a full and final termination
OF hostil1ties between the government of
Spain and the people of Cuba, and to secure
IN the island the establishment of a stable
government capable of maintaining order
ana observing its international obligations.
lnsuring peace and tranquility, and the Sc
curlty OF its citizens as well as our own.
and to use the military and naval forces
OF the United States may be necessary
Tor these purposes.
The issue is now with Congress. II is a
solemn responsibility. 1 have exhausted
every effort to relieve the intolerable con-
ditlon OF affairs which is at our doors
prepared to execute every obligation i'm
posed upon me by the Constitution and the
law, await your action"