The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-06-16


in the Philippines the regiments will be or
ganized and differed in skeleton form until
recruits can be sent from the United states
TO fill them. General Otis and the volunteer
officers in the Philippines have been consult
ing to see how many men will enlist. The
number has not been very large. there
seems to be a desire on the part Of the vol
unteers to return to the United states with
their organizations. These three proposed
regiments. with three regiments Of regulars
to sail from San Francisco June % and q.
and those under orders from Manila. will
give General Otis thirty-three thousand
fighting men.
II is stated positively at the War Depart
ment that the report that il was intended
TO reduce the cavalry troops and artillery
batteries in this country to ninety-five men
each In order to increase the companies in
the Philippines 10 80 men each, is abso-
lutely without foundation. The approved
plan for the reinforcement of the army OPP
Grating In the Philippines is briefly stated
by high official OF the War Department as
follows:
The increase Of the size of the COM
panies with General Otis TO 12s men to the
company was made from 800 men, here
tofore the hospital corps. which the control
Ter has decided may be enlisted over and
above the sixty-fve thousand men provided
by law. In addition the Twenty-fourth and
Twenty-fifth Regiments of Infantry have
been ordered to Manila. and General Otis
has been authorized TO organize three skele-
ton volunteer regiments in Manila. officered
from volunteers in the Philippines from the
regular army. General Otis has informed
the department that he can organize these
regiments. 1t is proposed TO send him re-
cruits from here TO fill them 10 their maxi
mum limit. The arrangements referred to
will give General Otis a fighting force of
over thirty-three thousand men Of the line
These plans have been approved by the
President and will be put into execution
with the least possible delay.
The field and staff officers and captains
OF these three regiments will be selected
from the volunteer and regular officers who
have demonstrated their special fitness TO
command and who have distinguished them
selves in action.
The quartermaster's department has re-
chartered the Zealandia and Valencia,
transports now at San Francisco, to be used
to carry troops to the Philippines. These
ships belonged to the Pacific coast fleet. but
1t was thought they would no longer be re-
quired and they were put out of commission.
Spanish Company Seeking Pay.
WASHINGTON, June 15-The representa-
tive of Ceballos & Co., the firm that con-
tracted to carry home the Spanish prison
ers from the Philippines. had consultatio
with Quartermaster Ludngton to-day rela-
tive to payment for the service. Claims in
volving about s1.5O0,000 are involved. There
have been taken home to Spain about 10000
men, and others are yet to be sent from
Manila as soon as their release is procured.
No money has been paid owing to failure
to adjust accounts. The only data the War
Department has is that sent by cable from
Manila. and the bills of Ceballos G. Co. do
not agree with the cable advices of the
War Department An effort will be made 10
have more definite information sent from
Manila.
Spaniards to Confer with AguinaIdo.
MADRID. June 15.-In the Chamber OF
Deputies to-day General Polavieja an.
| nounccd hat the Spanish commission at Ma.
Mia had gone to confer with Aguinaldo re-
garding the Spanish prisoners in the hand:
| of the Fflipinos
Owing to the policy OF obstruction adopted
| by the Republicans the minister of finance
Senor Villaverde, has been compelled tc
postpone the introduction Of important flnan
cial bills. and the bill approving the cessior
OF the Caroline islands, the Ladrones and the
Pelew islands to Germany is likely to be
| delayed.
| Admiral Watson Relieves Barker.
| WASHINGTON, June 15.-Admiral Wat.
| son has arrived at Hong-Kong. and beine
on his own station, took command of the
Asiatic squadron. relieving Captain Barker
| of the Oregon, who has been in charge
since Admiral Dewey sailed from Manila
Captain Barker will return to the United
States on mail steamer and will probably
be placed on leave and then on waiting or.
| ders. having seen much arduous service fol
the past four years. twice in command of the
| Oregon and as member of the War Board
To Develop the Philippines.
| NEW YORK, June 15.-According to the
| Brussels correspondent of the Herald 8
| company has just been formed in Belgium
for the purpose of developing the Philip
| pine islands. the capital stock being fixet
/ at 100000 francs The board OF director.
includes NJ. Melot. burgomaster; Namur d,
Brccqueville and NJ. Thieupont member.
| of the Belgian Chamber, and NJ. Andre
Belgian consul general at Manila.
Undaunted by His Brothers. Fate.
| COFFEYVILLE. Kan, June 15.-Amons
| the men enlisted for service i'm the regular
| army to-day was Daniel McTaggart, jr
| son of the late Senator Daniel McTaggart
| and brother of Second Lieut.. w. A. McTag
gart. of Company G. Twentieth Kansa.
Regiment, who was killed short time age
while in charge near Calumpia. Youns
| McTaggart will go to the Philippines.