Evening star., 1899-06-27
TROOPS FOR OTIS
He Needs an Effective Force of
10000 Men.
SHORTAGE TO BE MADE GOOD
State or Other Organizations Can
not Be Accepted
THE RE-ENLISTMENT IDEA

Promptly upon his return to Washington
the President was acquainted with the eX-
act situation in the Philippines as exhibited
in General Otis statement cabied yesterday.
In addition, he was in conference for
time with Secretary Alger respecting the
best method of carrying out General Otis
desire to maintain, at least throughout the
rainy season, an effective fighting force of
no less than 3O.O00 men in the island. The
generals last estimate, which was received
yesterday, is exactly in conformity with
those he has previously submitted when
called upon by the War Department. How
ever, 1t is noted that he asks for an EFF
fective" force of 10000 men. The Presi-
dent has promised to give Otis as many
troops as he demands, and this last esti-
mate will Oblge the War Department to
secure more troops than has been provided
for up to this time.
Shortage to BE Supplied.
Cen Gus sick report and his casualty
hst make II evident that provision must be
made at once to .upply shortage of about
10 per cent in his force in order to build
Up that force to the total required-30 600
In addition, the officials are taking into
consideration the assurance of the medical
authorities that no diminution in that dis
ability rate can be expected during the wet
season. but, on the contrary the conditions
may grow even worse as the season ad-
vances- Many of these men will have to
De lnvalided home 10 the United States as
they fall ill, it being Demonstrated par
tlcu!arly in ths typhoid cases, that conva-
Iescence is rare unless the patient leaves
the Philippines; thus the department will
De under the necessity of keeping up a
steady flow of recruits from the United
states If Gen. Otis desire is to be complied
with Once the shortage now existing is
made good, however, the number of re-
eruits to be sent out will be inconsidera Bile.
1t Is hoped. The recruiting officers reports
indicate an ability on their part to sllpp,y
1,UO men week. more than sufficient il
is believed to meet Gen. Otis needs in the
future: while as for the present the depart
ment has assembled 5000 recruits at San
Francisco. ready for transportation as soon
as ships can be found.
The Re-EnIistment Idea
It is not known at the War Department
how General Otis has succeeded in his un-
dertaking to form three skeleton regiments
from the volunteers now in the Philippines
VINO are willing to re-enlist. General Otis
mas remained silent on that subject An
impression prevails here. however that it
Is MS belief that a large proportion of the
volunteers may be re-enisted if some ar
rangement can be made whereby the men
can De allowed to make q visit TO their
friends and relatives in the United States
The idea is to re-enlist them in the Philip
pines and give them a furlough to return
to the United States. That furlough would
pe Tor al least four months. for more than
haIf OF that time would be required to
make the round trip from Manila to the
United States. 1t is argued that a fair
proportion of the men be spared dur
ing the rainy season. and that in this way
the department. will make sure OF securing
an effective force of thoroughly seasoned
veterans to wind up the campaign that will
begin with the next dry season.
Travel Pay Inducement.
In case the arrangement is made, the
men will receive on an average of $50
each as travel pay prior to their departure
from the Philippines. and this money will
undoubtedly be of great benefit to them
and their families during their short So
jOurn in the United States 1t has been
estimated that Gen Otis may be able TO
secure 1000 of the volunteers now in the
IAlhppineS. a number sufficient to partly
organize the proposed three skeleton vol
unteer regiments leaving the recruitment
OF only about 1000 more men in the United
States to complete the organization of the
regiments.
Can't Accept State Organizations.
Adjutant General Corbin in discussing to-
day the probability Of raising volunteer
troops in the United States said that IT
ought to be understood once for all that
under the law providing for an increase
of the army. 1t was impossible for the
Preside Mt TO accept the services of any
attention q
lhe provisions OF the act of March t. 1899
providing for the increase of the army by
the raising of volunteer troops and said
that under that law all volunteers. both
Ofncers and privateS, would be raised Is
IidlFldUais the same as in the case of
the regular army. He said the officers
would be appointed by the President and
the man would be recruited from the coun-
try at large without regard to state lines
The provision of the army reorganization
t.n relating TO the raising of volunteers
feads follows:
That to meet the present exigenctes of the
military service, the President is hereby
authorized to maintain the regular army at
strength of not exceeding sixty-fye
thousand enlisted men, to be distributad
among the several branches of the ser
vice, including the Signal Corps, according
to the needs of each, and raise force of
not more than thrty-five thousand volun-
tsers to be recruited as he may determine
from the country at large, from the
localities where their services are needed
without restriction as to citizenship or
educational qualifications. and to organize
the same into not more than twenty-seven
regiments organized are infantry legi-
ments OF war strength in the regular army
and three regiments to be composed of men
of special qualifications in horsemanshiD
and craftsmanship. 10 BE- organized as cav
airy, for service mounted or dismountcd"
Offers to BE Declined
According to the official construction of
this provision. the Presiden Mt is prohibited
from accepting the services of state or
other organizations. and will therefore be
compelled TO decline the patriotic offers
made by the governor of West Virginia
and public spirited citizens of other states.
a careful reading Of the law shows that
the President is not required to call for
volunteers. but is instead authorized to
raise them 1t is said at the War De-
partment that the course pursued In the
organization of the ten Immune regiments
during the Spanish war will be followed in
case II is decided to organize volunteer
regiments for the campaign in the Pnilip-
pines. This policy will place the appoint
ment of all the officers in the hands of the
President, and leave the governors of the
states without any jurisdiction in the or