The times., 1899-08-15
FIVE MORE Regiments
Plans for a Reserve Volunteer
Force Being Made.
The Organizations Now Nearly Conn
of States to Recommend Men
for Line officers Commissions.

At least five volunteer regiments are
to be raised for service in the Philip
pines in addition to the ten regiments
now organizing in this country and the
two infantry and one cavalry regiments
being formed under General Otis direc-
ton in Manila. Complete plans are being
made at the War Department for the
transportation and equipment of several
regiments in addition to the number al
ready ordered.
The determination to provide for an
increased number of volunteer organiza-
tions was reached about a week ago, the
Secretary of War being of the opinion
that there should be a reserve force of
several regiments which could be held in
this country. equipped and drilled, and
be in good condition for active service
should the situation in the Philippines
indicate that more troops were needed
than the so. 900 now authorized for the
Philippine army.
The present plan of the department
contemplates the formation of five more
volunteer regiments as soon as the ten
being organized are fully equipped and
the regiments in the Philippines are fill
ed The efforts of the War Department
officials are concentrated on fully crgan-
iZing and equipping the volunteers al
ready authorized There are more than
sufficient recruits on hand at the present
time to fill the ten regiments in this coun-
try, but recruiting will continue until
there are enough men to fill the volunteer
regiments now being formed in the ISL
ands. Orders have been issued directing
that four hundred Of the recruits now at
Columbus Barracks, Ohio, be sent with
out delay to Manila to be assigned 10 the
Thirty-sixth and Thirty seventh Infantry.
Other recruits for the same purpose viii
be ordered TO the Philippines as rapidly
as they can be organized, equipped, and
drilled This will continue until the Thir
ty-sixth. Thirty Infantry, and
Eleventh Cavalry have received their full
quota. At the same time, the other yolun-
teer infantry organizations will be drilled
and put ia shape in this country. The
first of these regiments to sail for Manila
will probably be the Thirty-firs Infantry
under Colonel Petit, now at Fort Thomas,
KY. It is expected that this regiment viii
be ready for embarkation early in next
month. and it will be followed rapidly by
the other organizations.
1t is learned at the War Department
that the work of recruiting the additional
five regiments will probably begin as soon
as the Thirty-first Regiment leaves the
O01lSQ states anu VIII continue uQIIi du-
other order will be issued providing for
the enlistment of more volunteers. Whe-
ther or not the five regiments will be held
in complete reserve in this country will
depend upon the situation in the Philip
pines
Ii is the determination of the Secretary
of War to secure the best material for these
regiments and the greatest care will be
taken in their equipment. Secretary Root
issued orders yesterday directing the In
spector General 10 have each of the yolun-
teer regiments thoroughly Inspected as to
their condition and equipment before their
departure for the Philippines.
To provide officers for the additional vol
unteer organizations, Secretary Root has
decided to prepare a reserve list of men
who are TO be recommended by the Cover
Eors of the States. 1t is claimed that the
Governors OF the States have had excellent
opportunity TO judge OF good men who will
make officers and a telegram has been sent
by Secretary Root to the Governors of each
of the States asking them to name two men,
whose names will be placed on reserve
list for appointment to the volunteer regi-
ments when the proper time Is reached
for their formation. This list viii be OF
officers only. The colonels, lieutenant col
onels, and majors viii be selected by rea-
son of their special fitness for the posi-
tions.