The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-04-20
All state Troops Now out Of Cuba. and
Regiment of Regulars 10 BE
Withdrawn from Porto Rico.
PLACE FOR GEN. G. w. DAVIS
MAY SUCCEED GOVERNOR GENERAL
HENRY AT SAN JUAN.
Medals for Fighters Who Distin-
guished Themselves During the War
Beef Report Expected Soon.

WASHINGTON, April ia conference
held at the White House to-day between
the President Secretary Alger, Secretary
Long and AdjutSnt General Corbin resulted
in the confirmation of the original decision
of the administration TO at present refrain
from availing itself OF the authorization
conferred by Congress to organize a volun-
teer army Of 5000 soldiers in addition TO
the present regular army General Otis's
latest cabegram, descriptive OF the condi-
tions in the Philippines. was carefully con-
sidered. and il was concluded TO accept his
estimate OF the military needs OF the case.
so that he has alrt ady indicated that
his present army is sufficient for the pur-
poses he has in view the decision is tanta-
mount to resolve to avoid recourse to the
additional volunteers A cablegram was
sent to General Otis. however. called forth
by the necessity for Withdrawing the State
volunteers from the Philippines. again ask
ing him whether. he would need more men
after he has received the reinforcemnts now
on the way to Manila under orders 10
embark as soon as transportation can be
secured. Otis now has "A force believed 10
aggregate about % 900 effective men. Secre-
tary Alger informed him that the troops
now on the way and to be ordered there
would give him an army Of about 5000 men,
after allowing for the return of the State
volunteers. This Is believed at the War De-
partment TO meet all Of the needs OF the
summer season. 1t is intended to withdraw
one regiment from Porto Rico, and TO send
three regiments now in this country 10 the
Philippines soon as they can be equipped
and transported there. though IL is not be-
lieved they will reach Manila for two or
three months 1t Is also stated that the con-
ditions in Cuba are such that II Is quite
probable some troops be Withdrawn
from that island for service in the Philip
pines.
The matter of returning the volunteers
was also discussed. The department is ar
ranging fo- their return to the United
States soon as the necessary transpor-
tation can be secured. To General Otis has
besa left the selection Of the organizations
to be sent home first, and ii Is expected
that he will follow the plan he has out
lined of relieving first the men who have
been longest in the Philippines.
The information at the War Department
is that all the State volunteers who went
to Cuba are now away from tie island.
Some of them are on board ship and Will
arrive in this country i'm a few days. The
only volunteers remaining in Cuba are the
immunes at Santiago, and they will be
brought home as soon as the Tenth Cavalry
arrives at that place
A dispatch from Des Moines. Ia. says:
Congressman Hull. chairman OF the House
committee on military affairs, arrived home
to-day. He expressed the opinion that, in
view OF present conditions in the Philippines.
the President will have 10 call for more
troops. The army bill authorizes the Presi-
dent to call for thirty-five thousand more
troops If necessary 10 serve two years. They
would comprise forty-seven new regiments
and make places for l.5Oc more commissions.
The President and secretary OF
anxious TO avoid enlsting men under this
act if possible. 1t would be very expensive
and they would be in for only two years.
so that the expense OF mastering them out
would have TO be repeated almost as soon
as they were qualified for good service. But
it looks now as if call would have TO be
made.
Secretary Alger to-day made public the
verdict in the case of Lieutenant Lang, who
was charged with conduct unbecoming an
officer and conduct 10 the prejudice OF the
good order and discipline Of the service.
The court found Lang guilty as charged.
and sentenced him TO dismissal from the
service The President has approved the
sentence and findings of the court
The President to-day appointed the fol-
lowing Indiana postmasters: I. f Farley
at Crown Point and Thompson Turner at
Walkertou.
1t is understood that Gen. George w.
Davis is to be the military governor gen.
eral OF Porto Rico TO succeed Gen. Guy v.
Henry General Davis Is a member OF the
Wade court Of inquiry. He Is attached
officially TO Major General Brooke's COM
maLd.
The secretary OF state to-day received a
telegram from Consul Ayme. at La Pointe-a-
Pitre. Guadeloupe. w l.. saying that fires.
alleged to he incendiary, started al midnight
OF the 10th inst. and destroyed sixteen
squares in the vicinity OF the American
consulate. He says that four hundred
houses were burned. thirty-one lives lost
and two thousand persons rendered home
less. The loss will approximate million
dollars. The consul added that the fire is
out but great uneasiness prevails among
the people. The Governor has arrived at
the place with City soldiers.
The postmaster general has issued an
order placing the Philippine postal service
on the Independent basis Mr.. +. W.
Vaille. who has had charge OF postal affairs
I'm the islands for several months. has been
appointed director OF posts for the Philip
pines.
The Wade court OF inquiry was engaged
steadily to-day in going through the testi-
mOny which has accumulated as the result
OF the three months investigation and In
the preparation OF the reports OF findings.
The report will be comparatively brief. but
the work OF collating the essential facts 10